TSA Liquids Rule 2023 - TSA 3-1-1 Carry-On Liquid Limits 2023

The TSA (Transport Security Administration) enforces a strict "3-1-1 Liquids Rule" for airline passengers flying with liquids in their carry-on bags or hand luggage, even in 2023. All passengers are allowed to bring one small bag with liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes through the TSA Security checkpoint. Strict limits, known as the TSA's "3-1-1" Liquids Rule, apply to the size and quantity of these liquids:

• 3 Oz - Container Size Limit: All liquids and toiletries are limited to a maximum size of 3.4 oz / 100 ml in a single bottle. No bottle of liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste larger than 3.4 oz / 100 ml is allowed through the security checkpoint.
• 1 Quart - Size of Clear Zip-Top Bag: 1 Quart is the size limit of the clear bag that all of your 3.4 oz / 100 ml liquids must be placed in. This must be a zip-top clear/transparent bag, which you must remove from your carry-on luggage and scan separately when crossing the security checkpoint. 1 Quart is 32 fl oz, which is approximately 1 Litre / Liter.
• 1 Bag per Passenger: There is a limit of only 1 transparent zip-top bag per passenger. If you are flying with additional liquids or gels, they must fly in your standard checked luggage, as you are only allowed to bring 1 bag per passenger.

Exceptions to the TSA 3-1-1 Carry-On Liquids Rules

TSA 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Does Not Apply to Medication

Medication is allowed through the TSA checkpoint in your carry-on luggage in sizes larger than 3.4 oz / 100 ml and more than in your 1 quart zip-top bag. When flying with liquid medication in your carry-on, you must declare these items to the officer at the TSA checkpoint, remove the liquids from your carry-on bag to be scanned separately, and know that they may be subject to additional screening.

Flying with Baby Formula or Breastmilk

Baby formula and breastmilk is considered a medical necessity and may be brought in quantities larger than those specified in the 3-1-1 liquids rule (3.4 oz / 100 ml, 1 quart-sized bag). Be sure to declare your breastmilk or baby formula at the checkpoint, scan it separately from the rest of your carry-on luggage, and know that it may be opened, inspected, or subject to additional screening. You ARE allowed to bring medically necessary gel ice packs to keep your breastmilk or formula cold, but these may also be subject to additional screening.

3-1-1 Exception: Duty-Free Purchases from International Flights Connecting in USA

There is now an exception to the 3-1-1 liquids rules when flying with duty-free purchases from an international location with a connecting flight in the USA allowing you to bring duty-free liquids that you purchased with you through security. You must meet ALL of the following requirements in order for these liquids (whether perfumes, alcohol, or other liquids) to be allowed through the security checkpoint:

1. You are traveling Internationally into the United States, catching a connecting flight
2. The liquids are in TRANSPARENT containers
3. You bought them at a Duty-Free store
4. The store packed them in a secure, tamper-evident bag

If your liquid Duty-Free purchases such as perfumes and alcohol are not in a secure, tamper-evident bag, or do not meet any of the other requirements, you must pack them in your checked bag, otherwise they will not be allowed through the security checkpoint and will be confiscated. When flying with duty-free items into the USA, you may be able to pack these items into your checked suitcase when picking up your bags to "re-check" them when crossing US Customs, before crossing the TSA Security checkpoint.

Can I Bring Duty-Free Perfumes or Alcohol on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring duty-free alcohol and perfumes on a plane, but there are specific rules and restrictions that you should be aware of. The duty-free perfume or alcohol must be purchased after having already crossed security, and be carried in a secure tamper-evident bag provided by the duty-free store.

You can bring duty-free perfume and alcohol in your carry-on baggage if it is in a container of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less and fits within the quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag required by the TSA's 3-1-1 liquids rule. Otherwise, it must be packed in your checked luggage.

You cannot cross the TSA Security checkpoint with duty-free alcohol, perfume, or other liquids if it is larger than 3.4 oz / 100 ml, unless it is packed in a secure tamper-evident bag and you meets all of the requirements for the 3-1-1 liquids exceptions as explained above.

Can I Bring a Reusable Water Bottle through the TSA Checkpoint?

Yes, you can pass through security with your reusable water bottle, but must be empty when you go through the security checkpoint. You cannot bring a filled water bottle with you, as it will not meet the 3-1-1 liquid rules.

Your water bottle must be completely empty - a large water bottle with less than 3.4 oz / 100 ml of water in it will still not be allowed, and you will have to dump the rest of your water.

There are usually water dumping stations as you enter the TSA checkpoint, and you can refill your water bottle after going through security. Most airports have water bottle filling stations where you can fill up your bottle to have water with you for your flight.

The material of the bottle should be safe for air travel, which means it should not be made of glass or other materials that could shatter.

Can I bring shampoo, conditioner, or other toiletries on a plane?

Yes, you can bring toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant with you through security, as long as it meets the 3-1-1 liquid rule requirements. Your best bet is to purchase a travel-sized toiletry set with small bottles, or to purchase refillable squeeze-tube bottles that meet the 3.4 oz / 100 ml size requirements, and fill those up from your shampoo at home.

Larger bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries (whether liquids, aerosols, or gels) greater than 3.4 oz / 100 ml are only allowed in your checked luggage, and cannot be brought through security and into the cabin of the plane.

Can I Bring Wine, Beer, or Alcohol Mini-Bottles through TSA Security?

Yes, you can bring alcohol in mini-bottles through security, as long as they fit the 3-1-1 Liquids rules, meaning they are in containers smaller than 3.4 oz / 100 ml, and packed in a clear 1-quart ziptop bag. Mini-bottles of liquor are typically 1.7 ounces / 50 ml.

You are allowed to bring mini-bottles into the cabin of the plane, but most airlines do not allow you to drink your own alcohol on the plane. There are a few airlines, most notably JetBlue (although no longer in 2023), that allow you to drink your own BYOB alcohol in flight, but it must be opened and served by a flight attendant. It is illegal for you to open and drink your own alcohol on the plane. You are not allowed to open and drink your duty-free alcohol on the plane.