How Much Liquid Can You Put in a Checked Bag? Limits, Banned Items & Packing Tips (2026)
In a checked bag there is no 3.4 oz (100 ml) limit: full-size shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, drinks and sauces can all go in. The limits are different. Toiletries and aerosols are capped at 500 ml (17 fl oz) per container and 2 L (70 oz) in total per person, alcohol over 24% is capped at 5 L, and some liquids are not allowed in a checked bag at all: fuel, cooking spray, spray paint, bleach and more.
Not sure about one item? Search it below.
No limit
3.4 oz rule does not apply to checked bags
500 ml
toiletry or aerosol cap per container (17 fl oz)
2 L
toiletry cap in total per person (70 oz)
5 L
alcohol 24% to 70% per person
🔎 Can I put it in a checked bag?
46 liquids, gels and aerosols, taken from TSA’s own “What can I bring” list and the FAA rules it points to. Type an item, or filter by answer.
| Item | Checked bag | Carry-on bag |
|---|---|---|
| Toiletries and cosmetics | ||
| Shampoo and conditionerFull-size bottles are fine. They count toward the toiletry total if you pack many. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| ToothpasteA full-size tube is fine. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Lotion, cream and gelJars, tubes and pumps all go in the checked bag without a 3.4 oz limit. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Liquid soap and body wash | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Mascara, foundation and liquid eyeliner | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Perfume and cologneGlass bottles break easily; wrap them. FAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| SunscreenFAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Hand sanitizerFAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Deodorant (liquid or aerosol)FAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Hair spray and dry shampooFAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Shaving cream (aerosol)FAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Makeup removerFAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Nail polishFAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. It is flammable, so keep the bottles sealed. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Nail polish removerFlammable, so keep it sealed. FAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Bug repellent (for skin)Only repellents applied to the skin. FAA cap: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. Spray buttons must be capped or protected so they cannot go off. Sprays made to be aimed at insects are not allowed in either bag. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Tattoo ink | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Drinks, food and kitchen | ||
| Bottled water, soda, juice and coffeeNo ounce limit for drinks in checked bags. Airline weight limits still apply. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Wine, beer and spirits up to 24% alcohol24% alcohol by volume or less: no FAA limit in a checked bag. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Spirits 24% to 70% alcoholUp to 5 L (1.3 gallons) per person, in unopened retail packaging. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Alcohol over 70% (140 proof)More than 70% alcohol is not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Olive oil, vinegar and cooking oilWrap the bottle; oil spills ruin a suitcase. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Sauces, salsa, jam, honey and maple syrupGlass jars should be wrapped and bagged. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Canned foodTSA suggests canned food goes in the checked bag, because cans can need extra screening at the checkpoint. | Yes | ⚠️ Special rules |
| Frozen food and ice packsAllowed. Frozen items thaw during a long trip, so use a sealed cooler. | Yes | ⚠️ Special rules |
| Dry iceFAA limit: 5.5 lb (about 2.5 kg) of dry ice, in vented packaging and marked. Airline approval is required. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ Special rules |
| Cooking sprayNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Health and baby | ||
| Liquid medicationFine in a checked bag. In a carry-on, medically necessary liquids over 3.4 oz must be declared. | Yes | ⚠️ Special rules |
| Contact lens solutionTSA recommends putting contact lens solution over 3.4 oz in the checked bag, because some solutions alarm at the checkpoint. | Yes | ⚠️ Special rules |
| Baby formula, breast milk and baby foodAllowed in a checked bag. | Yes | ⚠️ Special rules |
| E-liquid (vape juice)The bottle can go in a checked bag. The vape device itself cannot: TSA allows electronic smoking devices in carry-on bags only. | Yes | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag |
| Liquid nitrogen in a dry shipperOnly in a dry shipper, as the FAA requires. | ⚠️ Yes, with limits | ⚠️ Special rules |
| Checked bag only | ||
| Pepper sprayOne container up to 4 fl oz (118 ml), with a safety mechanism. Over 2% tear gas (CS or CN) is not allowed. Some airlines do not allow it, so check yours. | ☑️ Checked bag only | ❌ No |
| Aerosol insecticideAllowed in a checked bag if the can is not labeled as hazardous material (HAZMAT). | ☑️ Checked bag only | ❌ No |
| Gel candlesGel-type candles are not allowed in a carry-on. | ☑️ Checked bag only | ❌ No |
| Gel heating padsGel heating pads are not allowed in a carry-on. | ☑️ Checked bag only | ❌ No |
| Large gel-filled toysTSA says larger gel-filled toys belong in the checked bag. | ☑️ Checked bag only | ❌ No |
| Not allowed in either bag | ||
| Spray paintNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Spray starchNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Flammable paint, thinner and turpentineNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Gasoline, fuel and lighter fluidAny flammable liquid fuel, such as cooking fuel, is prohibited. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Butane and propaneNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Liquid bleachNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| FertilizerNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Bear spray and tear gasNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| FireworksNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
| Fire extinguishers and compressed gas cylindersNot allowed in carry-on or checked bags. | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No |
No match. Try a simpler word, or search the full TSA liquids list.
Source: TSA’s “What can I bring” list. For the same products in a carry-on, see Is It a Liquid? The full TSA list.
⚖️ The caps that do apply in a checked bag
1
Toiletries and aerosols: 500 ml per container, 2 L in total. The FAA rule covers “medicinal and toilet articles for personal use (including aerosols)”: no more than 2 kg or 2 L (70 oz) per person in total, and no single container above 0.5 kg or 500 ml (17 fl oz). TSA repeats it on its pages for perfume, sunscreen, deodorant, hair spray and hand sanitizer. It matters most when you pack several full-size bottles.
2
Alcohol: by strength. 24% alcohol or less (most beer and wine): no limit. More than 24% and up to 70%: 5 L (1.3 gallons) per person, in unopened retail packaging. More than 70% (140 proof): not allowed. Check with your airline before you pack any alcohol. Allowances at the arrival airport are separate: see duty-free alcohol allowance by country.
3
Dry ice: 5.5 lb. Vented, marked packaging, and the airline has to approve it.
4
Pepper spray: one 4 fl oz can. With a safety mechanism, in a checked bag only.
Pressurised cans: toiletry aerosols are fine up to the caps above. Cooking spray, spray paint, spray starch and bear spray are the ones that are not allowed at all, and aerosol insecticide is allowed in a checked bag only if it is not labeled hazardous material. See aerosols on a plane.
🚫 Liquids you cannot pack in any bag
These are on TSA’s list as not allowed in carry-on and not allowed in checked bags:
⛽
Fuels: gasoline, lighter fluid, cooking fuel, butane, propane.
🎨
Paint products: spray paint, flammable paint, turpentine and paint thinner.
🧴
Household chemicals: liquid bleach, fertilizer, spray starch, cooking spray.
🥃
Alcohol over 70% (140 proof), bear spray and tear gas, fireworks, fire extinguishers.
If a product carries a flammable, corrosive or toxic warning symbol, assume it is not allowed and check the FAA PackSafe page before you pack it. The final decision always rests with the airline and TSA.
🧳 How to pack liquids so they do not leak
Checked bags go through belts, carts and cargo holds, and TSA may open and inspect them. These are packing tips, not rules:
1
Put every bottle in its own sealed bag, or one bag for each group. A split bottle then ruins one bag, not the suitcase.
2
Keep bottles upright and padded in the middle of the suitcase, wrapped in clothes, and not against the shell.
3
Wrap glass (perfume, oil, sauces, wine) and put it in a shoe or a padded pouch.
4
Screw caps tight. Add tape over flip-tops and pumps, or turn the pump head to the locked position.
5
Do not fill bottles to the brim: pressure changes in the hold can push liquid out of the cap.
6
Weigh the bag. Liquids are heavy, and a litre weighs about 1 kg. Airline weight limits depend on the airline and fare.
❓ Quick answers
Is there a limit on liquids in checked baggage?
There is no 3.4 oz limit. The limits are the 500 ml per container and 2 L total for toiletries and aerosols, 5 L for alcohol between 24% and 70%, and the list of items that are not allowed.
Can I put a full-size shampoo in a checked bag?
Yes. TSA lists shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion and cream as allowed in checked bags.
Can I pack perfume in a checked bag?
Yes, up to 500 ml (17 fl oz) per bottle and 2 L (70 oz) in total with your other toiletries. Wrap the glass.
Is the 3-1-1 rule for checked bags?
No. The 3-1-1 rule is for carry-on bags only. See how many ounces you can bring on a plane.
What if my liquid is over 100 ml and I only have a carry-on?
Medicine, baby milk and food and duty-free liquids can go over 3.4 oz if you declare them. For other products, check the 100 ml rule and your options.
Before you fly — checklist
1
Move bottles over 3.4 oz from your carry-on to the checked bag.
2
Keep each toiletry or aerosol container at 500 ml (17 fl oz) or less, and all of them together at 2 L (70 oz) or less.
3
Check the strength of any alcohol: over 24% is capped at 5 L, over 70% is banned.
4
Leave out fuels, spray paint, cooking spray, bleach and anything with a flammable warning.
5
Seal, pad and bag every bottle, and weigh the suitcase.
The final decision rests with the airline and TSA. Rules outside the US differ; confirm current requirements with your airline and TSA before you travel. Updated 2026.