Current as of August 2026 and rules change — confirm at tsa.gov. The officer at the checkpoint has the final say and can refuse any item, whatever this or any other list says.
A guide, not an authority. Airlines and other countries add rules on top.
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The 3-1-1 liquids rule, in plain English
This is the rule behind most carry-on rejections. It covers liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes.
What is exempt from 3-1-1
- Prescription and over-the-counter medication in reasonable quantities, liquid included. Declare it and take it out of your bag.
- Breast milk, formula, toddler drinks and baby food in reasonable quantities. You do not need the child with you for breast milk.
- Ice packs and gel packs that are keeping any of the above cold, even if they have started to melt.
- Live fish, contact lens solution and other medically necessary liquids when declared at the start of screening.
Exempt items are screened separately and may take longer. Tell the officer before your bags go on the belt.
Pack the rest of the bag
Questions people ask at the checkpoint
Does the 3-1-1 rule apply to my checked bag too?
No. 3-1-1 is a carry-on rule only. Full-size shampoo, a litre of sunscreen and your whole toiletry bag are fine in checked luggage. The limits that do apply to checked bags are different ones: flammables, aerosols by total volume, alcohol by proof, and anything on the hazardous materials list.
Why can a power bank never go in a checked bag?
Lithium-ion batteries can overheat and catch fire. In the cabin, a fire is noticed and dealt with in seconds. In the cargo hold nobody would see it. That is why spare lithium batteries, power banks, vapes and e-cigarettes must travel in the cabin with you, and why an airline will pull your checked bag off the plane to find one.
Batteries installed inside a device, like a laptop or a camera, are treated differently and can be checked, though carry-on is still the better idea.
What actually counts as a liquid or gel?
The test is whether it would take the shape of its container or spread if you spilled it. Peanut butter, hummus, yogurt, mascara, lip gloss, soft cheese, honey, jam, gel deodorant and cream all count, and travelers are surprised by all of them. Solid sticks, powders, bars and dry food do not count.
If you can spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, put it in the quart bag or check it.
Can the officer take something even if TSA's own list says it is allowed?
Yes. Every TSA rule ends with the same line: the officer makes the final call and can prohibit any item that raises a concern during screening. That applies to items on the allowed list too. If an item matters to you and you cannot replace it, put it in your checked bag or ship it ahead.
Do these rules work outside the United States?
Only partly. Most countries use a 100 ml liquid limit similar to 3-1-1, but the details differ, and some airports have moved to scanners that allow larger liquids while others have not. Prohibited item lists also vary. Check the rules for the airport you are departing from, not just the one you started your trip in, because your return flight is screened under local rules.
How should I pack something that is allowed but awkward?
Make it easy to see. Put liquids in a clear bag near the top, keep medication in labeled original packaging, and take out anything large or dense, like a big block of cheese or a camera lens, before the bag goes through. Dense items block the X-ray image and are the most common reason a bag gets pulled for a hand search.
Declare medical items, breast milk and anything exempt from 3-1-1 before screening starts rather than after.