How many 100ml bottles can I take in my hand luggage?

How Many 100ml Bottles Can I Take in Hand Luggage?

Navigating the often-confusing rules for liquids, gels, and aerosols in hand luggage can be tricky. While the common misconception is that you’re limited to a certain number of 100ml bottles, the reality is more nuanced. Airport security regulations are designed to prevent the transportation of potentially hazardous materials, and focus on the contents of your carry-on, not the container.

The key rule is that you’re allowed one litre of liquids, gels, and aerosols combined. Crucially, each individual item must be 100ml or less. This means you could theoretically bring many smaller containers, totaling one litre, but you can’t exceed 100ml per item. It’s not the number of bottles, but the total volume of the combined liquid that’s restricted.

Think of it like this: you can have one large 1 litre container, or 10 small 100ml containers, or a combination of sizes, so long as the total volume doesn’t exceed one litre and no single item exceeds 100ml.

Medical and cosmetic items are typically permitted, as long as they’re non-radioactive and packaged appropriately. This means if you have medically necessary liquids, gels, or aerosols, these items are likely exempt from the 100ml/1 litre restriction provided that they are labelled and packaged correctly. Always double-check with the specific airline’s guidelines or consult the relevant airport authority for any specific exemptions or requirements concerning medical items.

In summary, there’s no set limit on the number of 100ml containers you can carry. The limit is on the total volume of liquids, gels, and aerosols that are allowed, with each individual item restricted to 100ml or less.