The good news for anyone tired of decanting shampoo into tiny bottles: the 100 ml carry-on rule does not apply to checked baggage. You can pack full-size toiletries in the hold. There are still a few limits worth knowing, though, and they are about specific items rather than a blanket size cap.
Here is exactly what you can and cannot put in checked luggage, the rules on alcohol and aerosols, and how to stop everything leaking on the way.
Table of Content
- Quick answer
- Alcohol in checked baggage
- Aerosols and toiletries
- What you cannot pack
- What to keep in your carry-on instead
- How to stop liquids leaking
- FAQs
Quick answer
There is no 100 ml limit for liquids in checked baggage, so full-size toiletries are fine. The real limits apply to alcohol (5 litres per person for drinks between 24% and 70% alcohol; nothing above 70%) and aerosols (about 2 litres total per person). Flammable liquids are banned outright. Everything still counts toward your bag’s weight allowance.
Alcohol in checked baggage
Alcohol is the item most people get wrong. The limits depend on how strong the drink is:
- Up to 24% alcohol (most beer and wine) — no special limit beyond your baggage weight allowance.
- 24% to 70% alcohol (most spirits) — up to 5 litres per person, in unopened retail packaging.
- Over 70% alcohol (some overproof spirits) — not allowed in checked or carry-on baggage.
Wrap bottles in clothing or a padded sleeve, because a broken bottle in the hold ruins the rest of your bag.
Aerosols and toiletries
Toiletry and medicinal aerosols — deodorant, shaving foam, hairspray, dry shampoo — are allowed in checked baggage within limits: each container up to about 0.5 litres, and roughly 2 litres in total per person, with the release cap protected by its lid so it cannot go off in transit. Non-toiletry flammable aerosols, such as spray paint, are not allowed.
Ordinary liquid toiletries — shampoo, conditioner, lotion, liquid foundation, perfume — have no size limit in the hold. Pack the full-size versions here and keep only what you need for the journey in your carry-on.
What you cannot pack
- Flammable liquids: petrol, lighter fluid, many solvents and thinners
- Spirits over 70% alcohol
- Flammable aerosols that are not toiletries or medicines
- Anything marked flammable, corrosive or toxic on the label
What to keep in your carry-on instead
Checked bags are occasionally delayed or lost, so a few liquids are better kept with you, within the carry-on 100 ml limit: essential medicines, a change of contact lens solution, and any small toiletries you would hate to lose. Liquid medicine over 100 ml is allowed in carry-on if you declare it at security.
How to stop liquids leaking
- Leave a little air out of each bottle so it can absorb pressure changes.
- Put a square of cling film under the cap, then screw it back on.
- Keep toiletries together in a sealed pouch or zip-lock bag.
- Pack bottles upright in the centre of the bag, cushioned by clothes.
Before you fill the hold with full-size bottles, make sure the bag is still under your airline’s weight allowance. Our baggage fee calculator shows what an overweight or extra bag would cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a liquid limit for checked baggage?
There is no 100 ml container limit in checked baggage, so you can pack full-size toiletries. The limits that do apply are on specific categories, mainly alcohol and pressurised aerosols, plus a ban on flammable liquids.
Can you pack full-size shampoo and toiletries in checked luggage?
Yes. Full-size shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion and similar toiletries are fine in checked baggage. Seal them well, because pressure changes in the hold can cause bottles to leak.
How much alcohol can you put in checked baggage?
Drinks up to 24% alcohol are not specially restricted, beyond your weight allowance. Between 24% and 70% you may carry up to 5 litres per person in unopened retail packaging. Anything above 70% alcohol is banned from both checked and carry-on baggage.
Can you put aerosols in checked baggage?
Toiletry and medicinal aerosols are allowed, with each container up to 0.5 litres and a total of about 2 litres per person, and the release caps protected. Flammable aerosols such as spray paint or some solvents are not allowed.
Can you pack perfume in checked baggage?
Yes. Perfume is fine in checked baggage in normal personal quantities. It falls under the same alcohol and aerosol limits, which a few bottles will not come close to reaching.
Should medicines go in checked or carry-on baggage?
Keep essential medicines in your carry-on. Checked bags can be delayed or lost, and you cannot access them during the flight. Liquid medicines over 100 ml are allowed in carry-on when declared at security.