What’s the legal limit for carry-on liquids? 3, 3.2, or 3.5 ounces?
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Regular readers know that the 3-ounce container restriction on liquids in carry-ons is one of my “favorite” gripes. As a person who hates to check bags, I am regularly irritated when I can’t, say, bring a bottle of wine in my carry-on. (Especially when there are reports of airlines refusing to permit wine in checked luggage, either. But I digress…)
But Bob Rosner’s column at ABC News just confused me even more. He writes:
Remember when we were only allowed three-ounce containers on our carry on bags? Recently that was increased to three-and-a-half ounces, according to a TSA supervisor that I talked to.
Why the increase? Because of complaints by the perfume industry. You can’t make this stuff up.
Huh?? When, exactly, did the TSA’s limit increase to 3.5 ounces per container?
The European Union adopted a standard of 100ml per container recently, which technically comes to 3.2 ounces. Many TSA agents might unofficially look the other way on that one, especially for passengers traveling from Europe to the U.S., but I still wouldn’t want to bank on that.
The TSA’s website doesn’t list any change in the rules, either. 3 ounces is all they list. 3.0000.
I’ve put in a call to the TSA to see if there’s any truth to this 3.5 ounce story, and to ask about official policy regarding 100ml/3.2 ounce bottles. I’ll report back what they say.
In the meantime, I wouldn’t risk carrying 3.5 ounces of anything on board. Unless you’re willing to lose it.
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January 10th, 2007 at 6:59 pm |
My experience is that any bottle that looks small enough will work. They regularly make allowances for 4.0 OZ bottles of contact solution, and recently I’ve used bottles slightly larger than 3.0 OZ and not had any difficulty. As long as everything fits comfortably inside a quart size ziplock bag you’ll be OK
January 10th, 2007 at 7:43 pm |
I’ve seen people with small but bigger than 3oz bottles that fit into a quart bag get their stuff confiscated, so I’m not sure I’d risk that. At least not with anything expensive.
January 11th, 2007 at 6:50 am |
I went through security at Chicago’s Midway Airport last Thursday and a man in front of me was pulled aside by security and they went through his bag. He had a can of Axe body spray (the TSA agent pulled it out and held it high, that’s how I know!) that was not in a Ziploc bag, and was a few points over 3 ounces. He was let through.
Personally, I check my toiletries - I try to eliminate any and all hassles, or as many as I can.
January 11th, 2007 at 2:46 pm |
[…] Yesterday’s post regarding the TSA’s possible introduction of a 3.5 fluid ounce standard for carry-on liquids yielded a small storm in my e-mail inbox, including a thoroughly disposable form letter response from the TSA itself, encouraging me to check the website. Gee, great. Thanks for that. […]
January 14th, 2007 at 6:26 pm |
[…] Reader Joe H. writes: In your link to Bob Rosner’s column, I think you missed a point that’s just as big as the 3 versus 3.5 oz. debate. Fourth paragraph: For example, on my most recent flight I had my baggie full of gels and liquids out and ready to show anyone who wanted to know the secret for my youthful appearance. A TSA staffer scrutinized the bag. She informed me that she’d have to empty one of my bottles because, she explained, they only allowed gels and liquids in their original containers — no camping-style plain plastic bottles are allowed. She methodically emptied out my soap from its container. Apparently terrorists have not figured out how to empty shampoo bottles to put something more dangerous inside. […]
February 12th, 2008 at 3:30 pm |
I’ve been traveling for months with a Tom’s of Main tube-style shaving cream. It’s (new) weight was 3.6 oz. Several TSA operatives commented on the 0.1 oz violation, then waived me through…
Until today. I’m sitting in the Kansas City terminal right now after having my 3.6 oz tube confiscated. The real insult is that when I asked him if he could let it go since the tube in its squeezed state is now way under 3.5 oz, he insistently informed me that the limit is 3.4 oz ~!!!
Who know the real deal? Certainly the TSA employees aren’t receiving the same information that the TSA is feeding to the public on their wesbsite!
This paragraph may shed some missing light - the 3-1-1 is a simple to remember rule where the actual rule is somewhat different:
“Items must fit in one clear, re-sealable quart or liter-sized plastic bag, in containers of 3.4oz/100ml or less. In the European Union, items must fit in one clear, re-sealable liter-sized plastic bag, in containers of 100ml/3.3oz or less. (Please note: The TSA’s exact measurements are stated above. But for ease of memory please follow the 3-1-1 rule.)”
February 12th, 2008 at 3:34 pm |
I’ve been traveling for months with a Tom’s of Main tube-style shaving cream. It’s (new) weight was 3.6 oz. Several TSA operatives commented on the 0.1 oz violation, then waived me through…
Until today. I’m sitting in the Kansas City terminal right now after having my 3.6 oz tube confiscated. The real insult is that when I asked him if he could let it go since the tube in its squeezed state is now way under 3.5 oz, he insistently informed me that the limit is 3.4 oz ~!!!
Who know the real deal? Certainly the TSA employees aren’t receiving the same information that the TSA is feeding to the public on their wesbsite!
This paragraph may shed some missing light - the 3-1-1 is a simple to remember rule where the actual rule is somewhat different: