Airplane toiletry bag: cabin rules, 100 ml liquids and checklist

🕓 11 min read 📅 April 2026 ✈️ Travel guide

Want to get through security without stress and without having your favorite perfume confiscated? Packing a compliant airplane toiletry bag is simple: in your carry-on, containers ≤ 100 ml grouped in one transparent 1 L bag (≈ 20 × 20 cm), one per passenger. This guide gives you the rules, a sample kit ready to copy, and a practical checklist.

The essential rules: carry-on vs. checked baggage

In carry-on baggage

Just one resealable, transparent 1 L bag containing all your liquids, gels, and creams in containers ≤ 100 ml. Your 1 L bag and electronic devices must be easily accessible at security. This rule applies throughout the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and most countries around the world—it was harmonized after 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

In practice, when passing through security, you must remove your 1 L bag from your carry-on and place it in a separate bin. Agents visually check that each bottle complies with the limit. If a container exceeds 100 ml—even if only partially full—it will be confiscated and cannot be reclaimed.

In checked baggage

You can bring standard-size bottles (250 ml shampoo, 150 ml perfume, 200 ml sunscreen, etc.) with no limit on individual container volume. Protect the caps with tape or individual zip bags, as changes in pressure at altitude can cause poorly sealed bottles to leak. Follow the rules for flammable products and aerosols: individual containers must not exceed 500 ml, and the total per passenger is limited to 2 L.

What is considered a "liquid"

The definition is broad: any product that flows, spreads, or sprays is considered a "liquid" by airport security. This includes gels, creams, lotions, oils, toothpaste (paste), mascara, liquid foundation, nail polish, nail polish remover, perfumes, contact lens solutions, hairsprays, styling mousses, body butter, hand sanitizer—and even foods like honey, jam, hummus, or spreadable cheese.

However, solid products are not affected: solid shampoo, bar soap, stick deodorant, solid balm, loose powder, pressed eyeshadow, classic lipstick (not liquid). This is key to optimizing your 1 L bag: every product you replace with its solid version frees up space for essential liquids.

Useful exceptions

• Liquid medication: allowed in carry-on baggage in quantities over 100 ml if essential during the trip (keep your prescription with you)
• Baby products: water, milk and baby food in the quantity needed—present them separately
• Special diets/treatments: allowed with supporting documentation if needed during the flight

Next-generation scanners

Some airports are rolling out next-generation scanners, but the 100 ml limit remains the default rule. Always check your airport’s requirements the day before departure.

100 ml liquids: understand and follow the rule

The container, not the contents

A half-empty 150 ml bottle is not allowed in your carry-on. Security checks the capacity printed on the container, not how much is left inside. This is the most common misunderstanding and the main reason items are confiscated at security. Use bottles ≤ 100 ml, even for micellar water or sunscreen—and check the capacity marked on the bottle, not just its apparent size.

How many items fit in 1 L?

As a guide, a 1 L bag can hold:

• 4 × 100 ml + 2 × 50 ml
• or 6 to 8 mini bottles of 50/30/10 ml

The bag must close without forcing it. SIf it bulges, remove some products or move them to your checked baggage.

Make the most of the space

• Solids: solid shampoo, soap and solid deodorant don’t count as liquids—they free up space
• Samples and sticks: 10-30 ml mini bottles, multi-use stick (lip balm + dry patches)
• Decanting: graduated 100 ml bottles, labeled (product name, date)

Cosmetic aerosols

In your carry-on: only if they’re ≤ 100 ml and placed in the 1 L bag, with a safety cap. Be careful: many hairsprays and spray deodorants come in 150 or 200 ml sizes—too large for carry-on. Anything over 100 ml must go in checked baggage; protect the valve with tape to prevent accidental spraying inside your suitcase.

Mascara, nail polish, sunscreen: do they count as liquids?

This is the question that comes up most often when packing your toiletry bag. The official rule refers to “liquids, aerosols and gels,” which covers more than you might think: pastes, creams and foams all count as liquids. By contrast, anything that is truly solid doesn’t count toward the 1 L bag limit. Here’s the verdict, product by product.

The rule of thumb: if you can pour it, spread it, or spray it, it goes in the 1 L bag. If in doubt, switch to a solid format — it's the only category that will never waste your time at security.

Transparent 1 L bag: how to choose and organize it

How to choose your 1 L bag

The transparent 1 L bag is a regulatory requirement, not just an accessory. Here are the criteria for choosing the right one:

• Material: flexible PVC or EVA, with smooth, transparent sides. Security staff must be able to see the contents without opening it
• Closure: a sturdy zip that opens and closes easily. Avoid bags that are too rigid or have snap closures — the classic zip is still the most practical
• Size: about 20 × 20 cm to meet the 1 L capacity limit. Oversized bags will be refused even if they aren't full
• Reusable: a quality bag lasts dozens of flights. No need to buy a disposable zip bag again for every trip

You can buy compliant 1 L bags at pharmacies, supermarkets, or online for a few euros. Some airlines hand them out for free at departure, but it's better to have your own so you don't have to improvise.

Interior organization

• Face: 50 ml cleanser, 30 ml moisturizer, 50 ml SPF
• Hair: 100 ml shampoo, 50 ml conditioner, 30 ml serum
• Hygiene: 50 ml hand sanitizer, 50 ml deodorant (or solid outside the bag)
• Makeup: mascara (counts as liquid), concealer, 30 ml mini foundation, lip gloss

Where to place it in your carry-on luggage

Pack your 1 L bag at the top of your carry-on luggage so you can take it out quickly at security. Ideally, put it in the outer pocket of your carry-on suitcase or in the most accessible compartment of your backpack. If you have to rummage through your luggage in front of security staff, you’ll waste time and hold up the line — something we all want to avoid. Also keep your electronic devices (laptop, tablet) easily accessible, as they must be taken out separately.

If you’re looking for a toiletry bag suited to travel, check out our guide toiletry bag: the complete guide to find the right size. And if you’re unsure which type of toiletry bag to choose, our guide to toiletry bags by use can help you compare.

Is a clear bag really mandatory?

Yes, at almost all European airports. Your 100 ml containers must be grouped in a clear, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one liter, and presented separately at security. A simple zip-top freezer bag will do; there’s no need to buy a special one.

• One bag per passenger, including children with their own carry-on luggage
• It must close completely: if it won’t close, you’ll be asked to remove some products
• It must be taken out of your luggage at security, just like electronic devices

A few airports equipped with next-generation scanners have relaxed the rule, but these systems are still rare and the instructions may vary from one terminal to another. Prepare your bag either way: you have nothing to lose, and you’ll avoid an unpleasant surprise before departure.

What size should your 1 L bag be?

The standard size is 20 × 20 cm. Some airlines accept 15 × 25 cm or 18 × 20 cm as long as the volume doesn’t exceed one liter: volume is what counts, not the exact shape.

In practice, in a well-packed 1 L bag, you can easily fit a 75 ml toothpaste, a 50 ml cream, a roll-on deodorant, a mascara, a foundation and two samples. Any more and it won’t close. If you’re traveling as a pair, each person is allowed their own bag — split up the larger containers.

The 1 L bag gets through security, but it doesn’t protect anything: once it’s in your luggage, your bottles move around and eventually open. That’s what the toiletry bag is for — padded to cushion them, with a coated lining that wipes clean in one swipe.

Dema quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product Peachy quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product Daisy quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product

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Scissors, razors and sensitive items: what you can (and can't) take

Scissors and nail clippers

To keep things simple, pack scissors and nail clippers in checked baggage. Officially, scissors with blades shorter than 6 cm are allowed in the cabin in the EU, but this allowance varies from one security checkpoint to another — and an agent can always refuse them. To avoid unpleasant surprises, always pack them in checked baggage. Tweezers and a (non-metal) nail file are generally allowed without any problems.

Razors

• Disposable (molded head): generally allowed in the cabin
• Safety (removable blade): put the blade in checked baggage; the handle can travel in the cabin
• Electric: generally allowed in the cabin, depending on the airline's battery policy

Perfumes, nail polish, removers

In the cabin: ≤ 100 ml in the 1 L bag. Over that: checked baggage, with secure caps. Handle flammable products with care.

Needles and syringes (medical use)

Allowed in the cabin if needed during the flight (diabetes, severe allergies, etc.). Keep your prescription close at hand and present the equipment separately at the security checkpoint. Some airlines require a medical certificate translated into English for international flights — check your airline's requirements before departure.

1 L bag: the ready-to-copy list

Face, body, hair (≤ 1 L in total)

• Makeup remover or cleanser — 50 ml
• Face moisturizer — 30 ml
• Face sunscreen — 50 ml
• Shower gel — 100 ml
• Shampoo — 100 ml
• Conditioner — 50 ml
• Hair serum — 30 ml
• Hand sanitizer — 50 ml
• Perfume — 10 ml (travel spray)
• Toothpaste — 50 ml

Medication and health

• Pain reliever, bandages, antiseptic (stick if possible)
• Contact lenses + solution ≤ 100 ml in carry-on (otherwise checked baggage) + case
• Prescription for any essential liquid over 100 ml

Minimal makeup

• Mascara (counted as a liquid), concealer, gloss/balm
• Foundation: mini 30 ml or compact stick
• Powder and bronzer: solids → outside the 1 L bag

Checklist: two days before, day before, travel day

Two days before: prepare

• Make a list of your essentials and transfer them into bottles ≤ 100 ml (label and date)
• Prepare a 1 L zip bag and a suitable travel toiletry bag
• Check your airport's and airline's guidelines

Day before: check

• Test that the 1 L bag closes — put large bottles in checked baggage
• Place the 1 L toiletry bag at the top of your carry-on
• Make sure your restricted items (scissors, safety razor) are in checked baggage

Travel day: at security

• Take the 1 L bag out of your luggage and place it in the tray
• Empty your pockets before going through security
• Keep prescriptions and baby products accessible if needed

Which toiletry bag should you choose for air travel?

The ideal toiletry bag for air travel combines a compact size, good organization, and durable material. Here are the most suitable formats:

For a weekend, a small toiletry bag is enough. For a longer trip, a hanging toiletry bag is ideal — it hooks up, so you can easily find everything.

In terms of material, coated cotton and heavy canvas are perfect for travel: durable, washable, and lightweight. For a more premium look, a leather toiletry bag ages well and better protects its contents. Check out our complete guide to toiletry bags to compare all the sizes.

As for dimensions, our quilted toiletry bags measure 22 × 12 cm: large enough to hold your 1 L bag and your solid toiletries, compact enough to slip into a carry-on without taking up space. They're all the same size; only the patterns vary.

Tropique quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product Vale quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product Surf quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product

← Swipe to see the other styles →

Stress-free checked baggage: tips for your checked bag

If you check a bag, you can bring shampoo, gels, creams and perfume in standard sizes — no more 100 ml limit. But checked baggage has its own risks: changes in pressure at altitude and sometimes rough handling can cause leaks. Here's how to avoid them:

• Use individual zip bags around each bottle. If one leaks, the liquid stays in the bag instead of spilling onto your clothes
• Squeeze the air out of soft bottles before closing them. At altitude, the pressure drops and the air remaining in the bottle expands, pushing liquid toward the cap
• Place liquids in the center of your suitcase, secured and surrounded by fabric (rolled clothes). Avoid putting them against the hard sides
• Protect aerosol caps with adhesive tape and turn them upside down in a bag
• If you're bringing perfume in a glass bottle, wrap it in a thick piece of clothing or a sock — glass can break if the suitcase gets thrown around

For long trips when you need lots of products, consider travel sizes (50-100 ml) instead of standard bottles. You'll save space and weight without sacrificing your essentials. If you're looking for a suitable travel bag, check out our guide which travel bag to choose.

What’s allowed in checked baggage but not in the cabin

Checked baggage removes most restrictions. You can pack family-size products, as well as anything prohibited in the cabin.

• Bottles over 100 ml: shampoo, shower gel, cream, standard-size perfume
• Scissors with long blades, pointed tweezers, nail clippers with a file
• Razors with removable blades and replacement blades
• Large-capacity aerosols, up to 500 ml per container

Two exceptions to know about: power banks and e-cigarettes are not allowed in checked baggage and must be carried in the cabin. Flammable products — large bottles of nail polish remover, hairspray, non-cosmetic aerosols — are prohibited in both.

Which toiletry bag should you pack in checked baggage?

In checked baggage, you no longer need the clear bag: it’s time to bring a proper toiletry bag, with more room and better organization. Choose a quilted style that cushions bumps and keeps your products in place while your suitcase is being handled. A lining that wipes clean with a sponge will save the day if a bottle leaks after all.

Our quilted toiletry bags tick all the boxes: quilted cotton that absorbs knocks, a metal zipper, and a coated lining.

Valentine quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product Art quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product Cherry quilted cotton toiletry bag 15€ View product

← Swipe to see the other styles →

FAQ: Toiletry bags and air travel

Toiletry bags

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