When it comes to packing your carry-on luggage and clearing TSA checkpoints, the same 3-1-1 rule that applies to toiletries also applies to liquor. You can pack small bottles of alcohol that are 3.4 ounces or less in a clear, quart-sized bag.

In 2026, the ability to carry rum in your hand luggage depends entirely on its volume and where it was purchased. According to the standard TSA 3-1-1 rule, any liquid in your carry-on must be in a container of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less and fit inside a single quart-sized clear bag. This essentially limits you to "miniature" airplane bottles. However, there is a major exception for Duty-Free alcohol. If you purchase a full-sized bottle of rum at a duty-free shop after passing security, it is typically placed in a Secure Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB). If you are on a connecting flight in the U.S., you can keep this in your carry-on as long as it was purchased internationally, the bag is intact, and the receipt is visible. Furthermore, at airports using advanced CT scanners, liquid restrictions are being eased, but for the vast majority of travelers, any rum over 100ml must still be packed in checked luggage to avoid confiscation at the security checkpoint.