Heading overseas this year and have no idea what the deal is with liquids?

Heading overseas this year and have no idea what the deal is with liquids?

If you’ve ever had to chug a bottle of water in record time or bid a tearful farewell to your favourite mini face cream at security, you know the struggle is real. The liquid rules for carry-on luggage seem simple... until you're at the security gate, being stared down by a machine that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, and suddenly your hummus is a national threat (I had mine confiscated last year!).

Fear not! Here are a few tips to help decode carry-on liquid requirements across different airports—so you can pack smart, fly light, and keep your favourite toiletries exactly where they belong.

✈️ The Global Golden Rule: The 100ml/3.4oz Limit

Most airports around the world (especially if you’re flying through the US, UK, EU, Australia, or Canada) follow the same rule:

  • 100 ml (3.4 ounces) per liquid container

  • 1 transparent, resealable 1 litre/quart-sized bag

  • 1 bag per passenger

Liquids include everything from shampoo and toothpaste to peanut butter, face serums, and yes, even snow globes!

🧴 Pro tip: Solid toiletries are a great alternative. Shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets?Check out Beauty and the Bees who do great travel size soaps and tgc for toothpaste tablets.

🛂 Not All Scanners Are Created Equal

Let’s talk tech. While the rules are pretty universal, the machines enforcing them can differ—and some are getting fancy.

Traditional X-Ray Scanners

Ah yes, the classic. Place your bag in the tray, cross your fingers, and hope your moisturiser doesn’t raise eyebrows. These require all liquids to be removed and placed separately in a clear plastic bag.

Found at: Most airports globally, especially smaller or less recently updated ones.

CT (Computed Tomography) Scanners – The Future is Here!

These offer a 3D view of your bag’s contents. That means:
✅ No need to remove laptops or liquids
✅ Faster lines (usually)
✅ Fewer "bag check" surprises

Found at: Sydney (T1), London Heathrow (T5), Schiphol (Amsterdam), JFK (some terminals), and a growing list of major hubs.

🌍 Airport-Specific Oddities

Even with global rules, there are a few local quirks that could catch you off guard:

  • Dubai (DXB): Ultra modern, but still loves a good bag check if you leave a rogue lip balm in your pocket. Play it safe and bag it.

  • Tokyo (Haneda/Narita): Impossibly polite. But strict. Very strict. The 100ml rule is enforced with precision.

  • Paris (CDG): It’s a bit of a roulette. Sometimes relaxed, sometimes “Non!” to your full-size sunscreen.

  • USA (TSA): Friendly-ish, but firm. And yes, your Greek yogurt counts as a liquid.

 

🧳 Travel Well with Pakabel

At Pakabel, we love travel hacks—and that includes making carry-on chaos a thing of the past. Our lightweight, compact travel gear is designed to breeze through security, save space, and spare you from mid-terminal moisturser meltdowns.

If in Doubt...

  • Stick to containers 100ml/3.4oz or less

  • Bag them in a transparent pouch (no bigger than 1 litre

  • Check airport updates—CT scanners are changing the game

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