Buzz
If you’ve flown on a U.S. plane in the past 15 years, you’re likely familiar with the “3-1-1 rule”: All your liquids must be in 3.4-ounce containers, which fit into a 1-quart bag, placed in your one carry-on bag.
While your 16-ounce iced coffee won’t make it past the TSA checkpoint, there are specific larger liquid, gel, or aerosol containers that you are allowed to bring onto the plane. Just separate them from your other items before heading to security and let the TSA agents know you have exempt items for separate inspection. (Note: rules may vary at international airports.)
Check out the list of eligible items below.
1. Medication
The TSA allows “medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip.” Anything you need to carry these liquids, like ice packs, IV bags, or syringes, is also permitted, though it will require inspection.
2. Breast Milk or Formula
Parents traveling with infants or toddlers are not required to limit breast milk or formula to 3.4-ounce containers. In fact, juice is allowed too—provided you have a child with you. TSA agents typically X-ray the liquids and may even open the containers, but you can request they don't.
3. Duty-Free Liquids on International Flights
Duty-free liquor, perfume, and other liquids bought before your flight back to the U.S. are allowed, provided they were “purchased internationally” within the last 48 hours and “packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer” with no visible signs of tampering. You must also have the receipt to show when you bought it.
4. Hand Sanitizer
Due to the pandemic, the TSA currently allows passengers to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in their carry-on. This exception is in effect “until further notice,” so check for any updates before your next flight.
5. Water, If There’s a Live Fish in It
Yes, you can bring your goldfish “in water and a clear transparent container” exceeding 3.4 ounces. Dead fish, however, are a different story—like the baby shark that was confiscated last year due to concerns about the “liquid chemical preservative” it was floating in. But if your fish is alive and swimming in regular water, it should pass without issue.
