Are TSA liquid restrictions removed?

These scanners mean that the 100ml limit on liquids no longer applies, and passengers can travel with larger volumes of liquids as long as they fit inside their cabin bags.



As of March 2026, the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule has not been universally removed, but it is in a state of significant transition. Many major U.S. airports have now installed computed tomography (CT) scanners, which allow passengers to leave liquids and electronics inside their bags. In 2026, if you are at a checkpoint equipped with these scanners, you no longer have to "decant" your liquids into a separate bin. However, the 3.4-ounce (100ml) container limit still applies to standard carry-on luggage for most travelers. The only major exceptions in 2026 are for medical liquids, baby formula, and breast milk, which can exceed the limit if declared. While some European airports like London City and Zurich have scrapped the 100ml limit entirely due to 2026 tech upgrades, the U.S. TSA has maintained the volume restriction for security consistency across all airports that haven't yet upgraded their older X-ray machines to the new CT standard.

People Also Ask

For now, though, that seems to be the extent of any planned changes with respect to liquids in the United States. While we have [the new scanners] deployed at more checkpoints, we are years away from announcing a change to the current liquids rule, the TSA said in a statement to Frommer's.

MORE DETAILS

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.

MORE DETAILS

And those rules remain: No single bottles of more than 3.4 ounces, all bottles in one clear plastic bag, with no more than one such bag per passenger.

MORE DETAILS

These scanners mean that the 100ml limit on liquids no longer applies, and passengers can travel with larger volumes of liquids as long as they fit inside their cabin bags.

MORE DETAILS

No more rummaging in your bag: London City Airport scraps 100ml liquid rule. LONDON, April 4 (Reuters) - There will be no more rummaging in the bottom of your bag for a forgotten hand cream or water bottle at London City Airport after it became the first of the capital's hubs to scrap the 100ml liquid limit rule.

MORE DETAILS

What does this mean for travelers? Travelers can expect to see the complete removal of the 100ml rule at major airports by 2024. Eventually, the carry-on liquid limit at these airports will be extended to 2 liters (0.53 gallons). This new limit is already in force at some major airports.

MORE DETAILS

Anything more will have to go in a checked bag or risk being tossed out. If your liquids are stored in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, even if there's only 3.4 ounces left inside the bottle, you can't bring them through security.

MORE DETAILS

TSA Rules For Flying With Lipstick
When it comes to lipstick, the TSA considers it a solid, not a liquid or gel, which means it's allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage. However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind.

MORE DETAILS

But what are they, and is deodorant considered a liquid when flying? Deodorant can be considered a liquid when flying if it is in a gel or aerosol form. If your deodorant is solid, though, the TSA will let you bring a standard stick of solid deodorant with you in your carry-on luggage.

MORE DETAILS

Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They're fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.

MORE DETAILS

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters.

MORE DETAILS

Is Mascara Considered a Liquid by TSA? TSA counts mascara as a liquid, so the 3-1-1 rule for packing it in hand luggage applies. It states that all liquids have to be in 3.4 oz (100 ml) bottles or smaller and packed in a 1-quart bag. Mascara usually isn't above 3.4 oz, so you're free to pack it in your hand luggage.

MORE DETAILS

2006. Terrorists plot to detonate liquid explosives carried onboard at least 10 airliners traveling from the UK to United States and Canada. British Police foil the plot. In response, TSA bans all liquids, gels and aerosols from passenger carry-on luggage.

MORE DETAILS

Deodorant can be considered a liquid when flying if it is in a gel or aerosol form. If your deodorant is solid, though, the TSA will let you bring a standard stick of solid deodorant with you in your carry-on luggage.

MORE DETAILS

Why was the 100ml liquids rule originally brought in? Liquids in quantities larger than 100ml have been verboten on commercial air travel since 2006 – and like so many flight regulations introduced in the decade following 9/11, it was originally an anti-terrorism measure.

MORE DETAILS

It's called the 3-1-1 rule because your liquids must be no more than 3.4 ounces (that's the 3), they have to fit into 1-quart bags (there's the 1) and you're only allowed one (that's the final 1) of the bags.

MORE DETAILS

You must place liquids into individual 100 ml containers and remember that, in most cases, security won't accept larger containers, even if only partly full.

MORE DETAILS

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.

MORE DETAILS

Most travelers know the 3-1-1 rule: Passengers can carry liquids in three-ounce bottles or less (by volume) if these are placed in a one quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag, placed separately in a bin; one per passenger.

MORE DETAILS

London's City Airport believed it would be the first U.K. airport to be free of the 100ml rule in time for the Easter holiday in April 2023 but it was beaten to first place by Teeside International airport—these are the two British airports where the 100ml rule has been lifted.

MORE DETAILS