Hand Luggage Liquids Rules UK: The 2026 Scanner Changes Explained
What are the hand luggage liquids rules in the UK right now?
Most UK airports still enforce the 100ml-per-container rule for liquids in hand luggage, placed inside a single, clear, resealable plastic bag no larger than 20 × 20 cm (about one litre). Each passenger gets one bag, and you must remove it at security. That includes gels, creams, pastes, aerosols and anything that pours or spreads—toothpaste, mascara, sun cream, yoghurt, the lot.
A handful of UK airports have installed next-generation CT scanners that allow containers up to two litres and no separate plastic bag, but the rollout has been patchy and some airports have paused the new rules. Unless you know your departure airport is fully upgraded and actively operating under the relaxed regime, assume the old 100ml limit still applies.
For more on what else you can't pack, see our guide to 3 things you should never pack in hand luggage.
Which UK airports have dropped the 100ml limit—and which haven't?
As of early 2026, the situation is fragmented:
| Airport | Status | What to pack |
|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | Paused new rules | 100ml limit + plastic bag |
| London Gatwick | Paused new rules | 100ml limit + plastic bag |
| Manchester | Paused new rules | 100ml limit + plastic bag |
| Birmingham | Paused new rules | 100ml limit + plastic bag |
| London City | New scanners live | Up to 2 litres per container, no bag |
| Teesside | New scanners live | Up to 2 litres per container, no bag |
| Newcastle | New scanners live | Up to 2 litres per container, no bag |
| Aberdeen | New scanners live | Up to 2 litres per container, no bag |
| Bristol, Leeds Bradford, most regional | Old scanners | 100ml limit + plastic bag |
Always check your departure airport's website the week before you fly—this is changing faster than any blog can track.
What counts as a 'liquid' for hand luggage?
Anything that could be poured, squeezed, spread or sprayed at room temperature:
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel
- Toothpaste, shaving foam, deodorant (roll-on or aerosol)
- Foundation, mascara, lip gloss, nail polish
- Hand sanitiser, moisturiser, sun cream
- Perfume, aftershave
- Jam, peanut butter, honey, yoghurt
- Contact lens solution
Solid deodorant sticks, lipstick and powder makeup are fine and don't count toward the liquids allowance.
Do I still need a clear plastic bag at security?
At most UK airports, yes. The bag must be transparent, resealable (a zip-lock or press-seal), and hold no more than one litre (roughly 20 × 20 cm). Tesco, Boots and most airport shops sell compliant bags, but a standard sandwich bag usually works.
You get one bag per passenger. At airports still using old scanners, you must remove it from your hand luggage and place it in a separate tray. At upgraded airports like London City or Newcastle, you can leave liquids inside your bag.
What if I'm flying with babies or need prescription medicine?
Baby milk, formula and expressed breast milk are exempt from the 100ml rule, even at airports still using old scanners. Carry what you need for the journey; security may ask you to taste it or scan it separately.
Prescription and over-the-counter liquid medicines (including inhalers, insulin, eye drops) are also exempt, but you should carry them in their original packaging with your name on the label if possible. Quantities must be "reasonable for the flight"—a week's supply for a short-haul trip is fine; a litre bottle of cough syrup will raise questions.
Pack these separately and declare them at security.
How do I pack toiletries to avoid throwing anything away?
Buy travel-sized bottles (50 ml or 100 ml maximum) or decant your usual products into refillable containers. Most high-street chemists and supermarkets sell TSA-compliant travel bottle sets for a few pounds.
If you're flying from an airport with new scanners, you can carry larger bottles—but if you're connecting or returning via an airport still on the old rules, you'll have to bin anything over 100ml at the next security check. It's safer to stick to small bottles unless you're certain of the rules at every checkpoint.
For more on efficient packing, see our guide on packing cubes for cabin bags and weekend packing in one underseat bag.
Do the liquids rules apply to duty-free purchases?
Yes and no. Liquids bought airside (after security) can be carried on board in sealed, tamper-evident bags provided by the shop, even if they exceed 100ml. This includes spirits, perfume and cosmetics.
If you're connecting through another airport, check whether you'll pass through security again—some hubs require it, and un-screened duty-free liquids will be confiscated. If in doubt, put duty-free in your hold luggage or wait until your final destination.
What happens if my liquids don't fit the rules?
Security staff will ask you to remove the offending items. You can:
- Bin them on the spot (most common outcome)
- Return to check-in and add a hold bag (if time allows and the airline permits it)
- Post them home (a few airports offer a postal service, but it's expensive and slow)
There's no formal "gate fee" for liquids like there is for oversized bags, but you will miss your flight if you argue. For airline-specific cabin bag rules and fees, see our breakdown of Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air policies.
Can I use a hanging toiletry bag or do I need a clear zip-lock?
If your airport still requires the 100ml rule and a separate plastic bag, your liquids must be in that clear, resealable bag—not inside a hanging organiser. The toiletry bag can go in your main cabin bag for non-liquid items (razor, tweezers, solid deodorant, medication in blister packs), but anything that counts as a liquid must come out.
At upgraded airports where you don't need to remove liquids, a compact toiletry organiser is brilliant for keeping everything tidy inside a Ryanair underseat cabin bag or easyJet underseat bag.
Does the liquids rule apply on all airlines?
The liquids rule is set by airport security, not the airline. It applies at every commercial UK airport, whether you're flying Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet or a long-haul carrier. The same rule also applies across the EU, US (TSA 3-1-1 rule) and most other countries.
Airlines do have their own rules about cabin bag size and weight—see our comparison of cabin bag weight limits and hold baggage allowances—but the liquids policy is universal at the checkpoint.
What should I pack in my hand luggage instead?
Focus on solid or powder alternatives:
- Solid shampoo and conditioner bars
- Solid deodorant stick
- Powder foundation and blush
- Toothpaste tablets or powder
- Bar soap instead of body wash
For a full cabin-friendly packing list, see our hand luggage essentials checklist.
If you need traditional liquids, stick to 100ml containers until you're certain your airport has lifted the restriction. A compression packing cube set can help you organise toiletries, chargers and spare clothes in a tidy, easily searchable way—especially useful if you're flying with just an underseat bag to avoid paying for Priority on Ryanair or Wizz.
One final tip
If you're a frequent traveller, keep a permanent "security bag" of 100ml bottles that lives in your cabin luggage. Refill them from your usual products before each trip, and you'll never be caught out—even if the airport rules change overnight. For more on making the most of your free allowance, see how to pack a 4-day Lisbon trip in a 40×30×20 bag or our guide to British Airways' two cabin bags.
View our full range of compliant underseat bags and travel accessories to keep your liquids—and everything else—organised and under the limit.
FAQ
Q: Can I take a full-size bottle of water through UK airport security?
A: No. At airports still enforcing the 100ml rule, any container over 100ml will be confiscated—even if it's empty. Buy water airside or bring an empty reusable bottle to fill after security.
Q: Do I need to put mascara and lip gloss in the liquids bag?
A: Yes. Mascara, liquid eyeliner, lip gloss, foundation and concealer all count as liquids. Lipstick, powder eyeshadow and solid cream blushers do not.
Q: What if I forget and pack a 200ml shampoo bottle in my hand luggage?
A: Security will ask you to bin it or return to check-in to add hold luggage (if time permits). There's no appeal process and no "I forgot" exemption—it goes in the bin.
Q: Are the new 2-litre rules permanent, or will they change again?
A: The UK government initially mandated the upgrade by June 2024, then extended it to June 2025, and some airports have paused adoption altogether. Until every UK airport completes the rollout and operates under a single unified standard, expect the rules to vary by location. Always check your departure airport's website before you pack.
Q: Can I put my liquids bag inside a packing cube?
A: You can pack your clear liquids bag inside a packing cube in your main cabin bag, but you must still remove it at security (at airports using old scanners). At upgraded airports, you can leave everything packed. A compression packing cube set keeps your toiletries separate from clothing and easy to access if asked.
Airline baggage rules and fees change frequently and can vary by route, travel date and when you book. Always check the airline's current official baggage policy before travelling.
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