Passengers carrying the item in their hand luggage need to be aware of restrictions
People should take care when packing their luggage (stock image)(Image: Getty)
Passengers flying from a busy UK airport are being reminded to pack their bags carefully. While most flyers know there are rules around carrying liquid items in hand luggage, there’s sometimes confusion over which beauty items and toiletries count as liquids.
Heathrow Airport has a reminder for passengers online. The airport has answered various security and baggage FAQs for customers on its website. Explaining the restrictions, the airline told its customers: “Liquids, aerosols and gels can now be packed in your cabin bag and are permitted in containers up to two litres. These do not need to be removed from your cabin baggage.”
As Heathrow Airport points out, common shower items such as shaving foam and gels count as liquids. Other items commonly packed in toiletry bags, including toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, and creams, are also classed as liquids, according to the advice.
The airport explained: “We often get asked about hair gels, creams and even yoghurt”. Here is a quick checklist of what is considered a liquid and what is not:
Not considered a liquid:
- Solid lipstick
- Stick deodorant
All these items are considered liquids:
- Drinks, soup and yoghurt
- Pastes and puréed food
- Formula milk (special rules apply for breast milk)
- Shaving foam
- Toothpaste
- Roll-on deodorant
- Atomisers, sprays
- Creams
- Gels
In the FAQs, the airport added: “Duty free liquids, aerosols and gels purchased after security can be carried as hand baggage. However, these must be sealed at the time of purchase with the receipt inside a security tamper-evident bag.”
More advice is available on Gov.uk. The advice says liquids include: “All drinks, including water. Liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups. Cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss.
“Sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants. Pastes, including toothpaste. Gels, including hair and shower gel. Contact lens solution. Any other solutions and items of similar consistency.”
However, passengers can carry refillable drink containers if they are empty. These can then be refilled in the departure lounge after security, and most airports have water fountains. For example, Heathrow Airport says there are over 100 water fountains across its four terminals.
Passengers carrying liquids are advised to check travel advice with the airports they are travelling through before departure. This should include the airport they are flying from, any other airports they plan to travel through, and the airport they are flying home to.