EU security rules at airports for hand luggage
To protect you against the threat of liquid explosives, the European Union (EU) has adopted security rules that restrict the amount of liquids that you can take through security checkpoints. They apply to all passengers departing from airports in the EU, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland whatever their destination.
This means that, at security checkpoints, you and your hand luggage must be checked for liquids in addition to other prohibited articles. However, the new rules do not limit the liquids that you can buy at shops located beyond the point where you show your boarding pass or on board an aircraft operated by an EU airline.
While packing
You are only allowed to take small quantities of liquids in your hand luggage. These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 milliliters each. You must pack these containers in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one liter capacity per passenger (see photo).
At the airport:
To help screeners detect liquids, you must :
• present all liquids carried to the screeners at security checkpoints for examination;
• take off your jacket and/or coat. They will be screened separately whilst you are screened;
• remove laptop computers and other large electrical devices from your hand luggage;
they will be screened separately whilst you are screened.
Liquids include:
• water and other drinks, soups, syrups; sprays; gels, including hair and shower gels
• creams, lotions and oils; mascara contents of pressurized containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants
• perfumes; liquid-solid mixtures;
•;pastes, including toothpaste; any other item of similar consistency
WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE?
You can still:
• pack liquids in bags that you check in – the new rules only affect hand luggage;
• carry in your hand luggage medicines and dietary requirements, including baby foods, for use during the trip.
You may be asked for proof that they are needed;
• buy liquids such as drinks and perfumes either in an EU airport shop when located beyond the point where you show your boarding pass or on board an aircraft operated by an EU airline. If they are sold in a special sealed bag, do not open it before you are screened – otherwise the contents may be confiscated at the checkpoint. (If you transfer at an EU airport, do not open the bag before screening at your airport of transfer, or at the last one if you transfer more than once).
All these liquids are additional to the quantities in the re-sealable plastic bag mentioned above.
If you have any doubts, please ask your airline or travel agent in advance of travel.
This document has been developed by the European Commission, the AEA and AC