NEW TSA Carry-On Rules You NEED to Know in 2025

TSA Liquid Rules for 2025 come with plenty of updates, surprising bans, and exceptions that every traveler should know. In today's video, we'll be walking through the 3-1-1 rule, uncover surprising liquids that are banned, explain a new rule that's catching travelers off guard, and share one of the best free tools to make packing for TSA a whole lot easier. Something you probably didn't even know existed. Let's start by breaking down the 3-1-1 rule that is a key guideline by the TSA and regulates the amount of liquids that you can bring in your carry-on luggage through airport security. And before you roll your eyes thinking, who doesn't already know this? According to the TSA's Instagram page, which, by the way, is both hilarious and super helpful, over 130 million travelers left full water bottles in their carry-on in 2024, so it would appear that there are at least 130 million travelers that could benefit from a reminder, as it will save you from delays and luggage searches as you go through security. The number 3 in TSA's 3-1-1 rule stands for 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters per container, meaning that any liquid, gel, or aerosol must be in a container that is sized 3.4 ounces or smaller. The rule applies to the container size, not the amount inside. So, for example, this tube of toothpaste, even though it's only half full, is inside of a 4-ounce container, which means it would not be allowed since it is larger than 3.4 ounces. If it can spray, spread, pour, spill, pump, or smear, or if it can't hold its shape outside of the container, it's likely going to be considered a liquid by TSA. The first one refers to the quart-sized transparent resealable bag that holds your liquid. This bag needs to be clear so that TSA officers can easily check the content. The total volume of the liquids in this bag is typically capped by how much you can physically fit. Travelers often use Ziploc bags or similar products designed for sandwiches, or they'll grab a reusable liquids bag, which are widely accepted in North America, but they might cause some issues internationally. Let us know down in the comments if you have ever had to get rid of something at airport security because it violated the TSA's liquid rules. And while you're down there, don't forget to hit that subscribe button as it's a free way to support the channel and make sure that you never miss out on a travel tip, like this one. I'll always try to scope out and stock up on quart-sized liquid bags available for free at the entrance of the security line at some airports. It's great to have them on hand so I can properly pack my liquids at home before heading to the airport, but I also end up using them during my trip for things like storing a soap bar, wet swimwear, or even a pair of dirty socks. The second one in the 3-1-1 rule indicates each traveler is allowed only one liquid bag. If you are packing more liquids than can fit in one single quart-sized bag, they'll need to go into your checked baggage. If you're traveling with others who may not be using their full liquid allowance, like a travel partner or a child, you can distribute your extra items across their bag. If your skincare routine looks like mine and your partner's looks like this, then you can always use part of your partner's liquid allowance as you go through security. If you do go over the 3-1-1 limit, your bag will likely trigger an alarm and get flagged for a search. A TSA officer will then ask you to remove any extra liquids and anything that's over the limit will need to be thrown away or moved to your checked baggage. But by the time that you make it to airport security, your checked bag has already been checked in, so make sure you plan ahead to avoid having to throw anything away. Despite the TSA's strict 3-1-1 rule, there are exceptions for certain full-size liquid items which you can bring through security in greater quantities. The first exception is for prescription medications, including liquid medications that are stored in pre-filled pens or syringes like Ozempic. Other prescriptions can include creams like steroid creams used to treat things like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Remember to always keep prescriptions in their original labeled containers to avoid any issues. Another exception would be for over-the-counter medications like saline solution for contacts, cold medicine like DayQuil or cough syrup, and liquid nutrition like Ensure. Medical gels and creams are also accepted in larger quantities and this can include things like hydrocortisone cream, antibiotic ointments like Neosporin, topical pain relief gels like Icy Hot and Voltaren, aloe vera gel, and over-the-counter eczema treatments like Aquaphor or CeraVe healing ointment. One more notable exception would be for infant and child nourishment. This could include breast milk, baby formula, and even juice boxes for children. Ice packs and other things required to preserve If you are carrying any of these items in a container size that is larger than 3.4 ounces, then you will need to declare them to a TSA officer at security. Let the TSA officer know, take them out of your bag, and then place them in a screening bin for inspection. While the process is typically quick, these items may require additional screening, so plan for a little extra time just in case the checkpoint is busy. An important update to the TSA liquid rules is that the temporary rule allowing passengers to carry up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer has ended. Hand sanitizer now falls under the 3.4 ounce rule and it must fit inside your quart size liquids bag. Even those tiny clip-on hand sanitizers need to be removed from your bag and packed in your liquids bag. Changing rules like this can be confusing since despite what's listed on the TSA website, the rules can vary by airport, by day, or even by hour. This unpredictability is intentional as it's designed to make it harder for criminals or terrorists to anticipate security procedures. Unfortunately for you, this means that you will need to be prepared for the unexpected every single time you go through the airport security checkpoint. Even with TSA PreCheck, you might still be asked to remove your liquids bag depending on the staff or the technology that is being used That being said, no matter who your TSA officer is, there are certain liquids that are completely banned with no exceptions no matter what the quantity is. Ultimately, what you can bring and what you can't bring is going to be at the discretion of the specific TSA officer that is screening you. These TSA banned liquids include toxic chemicals like pesticides, bleach, cleaning agents, or any corrosive substances. It also includes self-defense sprays like bear spray, mace, or pepper spray, as well as flammable liquids like lighter fluid, camping fuel, propane, and spray paint. You also cannot bring any high proof alcohol which includes anything 70% ABV or over and examples can include grain alcohol like Everclear or 151 proof rum. I gave a ton of examples here because I know how reassuring it is to have the exact item that you are questioning given a yes or a no. But since I can't possibly list everything because let's be real, who wants to sit through that video? This seems like the perfect time to share one of the most underrated tools for stress-free packing. Ask TSA. If you're ever unsure about whether an item is allowed, Ask TSA makes it super easy to get answers directly from TSA. You can send them a photo of your item or even the Amazon link of an item that you're planning on purchasing and an actual TSA agent will give you a personalized response. It's as simple as reaching out via Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, text, or even on X. It's quick, helpful, and a total lifesaver for avoiding any last minute surprises at security. I most recently asked about gel shoe inserts since they contain an unspecified amount of gel which is considered a liquid and it turns out that the answer is yes. Gel shoe inserts are allowed through security. You can ask about anything, even something as random as TSA's policy on bringing spaghetti in your carry-on which apparently quite a few people did in 2024. Remember the Instagram post I mentioned earlier? Well, that same post showed that a surprising number of people have asked if spaghetti can go through airport security. The answer is yes, as long as the sauce is mixed in with the noodles. Well, questions like the spaghetti policy and if you can bring a microwave as a carry-on are pretty funny. It's the medication rules where things get serious. You might be shocked to learn that some common medications prescribed in the US like Adderall for ADHD are perfectly fine to go through TSA security but they're highly illegal in some of the countries that you might be traveling to such as Japan where Adderall is illegal even with a prescription. On a similar note, liquid and pill cold medications like certain types of Sudafed which contain Sudafedrin are prohibited in Japan and traveling with it could land you in serious trouble. For a full breakdown on traveling with medications whether they are a liquid or not I will put a video up on the screen now as well as link it down in the description for you to watch next. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button to join us back here for more travel tips and hacks each week and I will see you in that next video soon. Bye.