I love traveling and I know how important it is to smell good on your trip. But can you bring a perfume on a plane?
That’s a question that you may have, especially if you want to pack your favorite scent or buy some duty-free fragrances at the airport.
In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the size of perfume or cologne you can take on a plane, from the TSA perspective and some of the best packing tips.
Let’s dive right in.
Is perfume allowed through TSA?
Can I take a 100ml perfume on plane?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the guys that regulates what you can and cannot bring on flights within and from the United States.
They have some serious rules for liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes, in their website which include perfumes they call it the 3-1-1 rule.
These rules are applicable in both domestic and international flights departing from the US.
- You can bring perfume in carry-on baggage, but it must be in bottles of 3.4 fl ounces (100 milliliters) or less. You can only bring one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag. This bag must be clear, plastic, and resealable. You can stuff as many Valentino or Chanel perfume containers (for example) as you want in this bag, as long as they are 3.4 ounces / 100ML or less each.
- You will need to take out your quart-sized bag of liquids and place it in a separate bin for additional screening at the security checkpoint.
- You can bring any size of perfume after you clear the security checkpoint.
Here is a screenshot from the TSA website.
How To Pack Perfume In Carry-on?
If you want to bring perfume in your hand luggage, you need to follow the TSA rules and pack it properly. Here are some tips to help you pack perfume in hand luggage:
- Choose travel perfume size bottles: or fill in small containers that are 3.4 fl ounces / 100 ml or less, the good news is that most perfume bottles don to exceed 3.4 fl ounces.
- Place your perfume containers in a clear, plastic, quart-sized bag: Make sure the bag is resealable and can close properly.
- Put the quart sized bag of perfumes near the top of your bag: to make it accessible as you will need to take it out and place it in a bin for screening at the security checkpoint. You can also put the bag in your personal item, such as a purse or a backpack, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you.
- Be prepared to answer any questions from the TSA clerks about your perfumes: They may ask you to open the bag or remove some items for further inspection. They may also test your perfumes for explosives or other prohibited substances. Be polite and cooperative and follow their instructions.
Can You Bring Perfume on a Plane In Checked Luggage?
If you don’t want to bother the hand luggage rules, you can always consider placing your perfume in a checked bag.
This way, you can bring larger bottles of perfume and avoid the daunting TSA rules for liquids. However, there are some things to consider when packing perfume in checked luggage:
- Adhere to the FAA limits for restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including perfumes. The total quantity per person cannot exceed 70 ounces / 2 kilograms or 2 liters (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kilograms (18 ounces) or 500 milliliters (17 fluid ounces).
- Pack your perfume bottles securely and carefully to prevent them from breaking or leaking during transport. You can use the same tips as above for packing perfume in hand luggage, such as wrapping them with a cloth or bubble wrap, placing them in a plastic bag, and cushioning them with soft items.
- Be aware of the risks of packing perfume in checked luggage, such as loss, delay, damage, or theft. Your checked luggage may not arrive with you at your destination, or it may be opened or inspected by the TSA or the customs. Your perfume bottles may break or leak due to rough handling of your luggage.
- Juts as it happened to Alice your perfume may also go missing or even stolen by some irresponsible baggage handlers or other passengers. To avoid these chances, you can use a lock or a seal to secure your luggage, label your luggage with your name and contact information, and buy travel insurance that covers your luggage and its contents.
Can You Bring Perfume on International Flights?
If you’re traveling internationally, you can bring perfume on the plane, either in your hand luggage or your checked luggage.
However, you need to be informed of the rules and regulations of your destination country, as they may differ from the US rules.
Check the rules and regulations of your destination country and any transit countries before you travel.
You can use the IATA Travel Centre website to find out the specific requirements for liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes, including perfumes, for each country.
You can also reach out to the embassy or consulate of the country you’re visiting for more information.
Be prepared to declare your perfumes at the customs or pay some fees or taxes. Some countries may require you to declare your perfumes or any other goods you’re bringing into the country.
They may also charge you some fees or taxes based on the value or quantity of your perfumes.
You may need to show your receipt or invoice to prove the value of your perfumes.
In some countries you may also risk having your perfumes confiscated or destroyed if they are prohibited or exceed the allowed limits.
Duty free perfume and cologne when purchased through Duty Free or in the aircraft, the quantity restrictions do not apply. However, quantities are generally regulated by customs/duty rules.
FAA
Is Perfume an Aerosol?
An aerosol is a collection of solid particles or liquid droplets dispersed in air. Examples include smoke, fog, sea spray and pollution particles from vehicles.
So apparently perfumes are not considered aerosols, but they are flammable because of the alcohol they contain, However; the FAA makes an exception and allows them in both carry-on and checked baggage in reasonable quantities.
Can You Use Perfumes On a Plane?
While it is okay to bring perfume on a plane, it is advisable to avoid using it during the flight.
Some passengers like Tony may suffer from asthma, and some ingredients in the perfume could cause them severe consequences.
Can I Bring a 3.4 Oz Bottle Of Cologne On a Plane?
Cologne eau de perfume or eau de toilette have the same rules as perfumes so they are permitted in carry-on baggage in containers of 3.4 oz 100ml.
The amount of colognes is limited in checked baggage for each container is 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces) , the total that you are allowed must not exceed 2kg 70 ounces or 2L.
Here is a reply from the @AskTSA on X confirming to Chai that cologne can be transported on a flight but the containers must be 3.4oz / 100 ml or less and transported in a single quart-sized bag with other liquids, gels and aerosols.
Final Thoughts: Sure, but reasonable quantities.
You won’t face any issues taking small bottles of any fragrance types on a plane in both domestic and international flights.
Within the US the TSA regulations allows you to bring bottles of 3.4 fl ounces or less for each container in carry-on and placed inside one quart sized bag along with other toiletries.
You can also pack larger bottles of no more than 17 fl ounces in checked baggage.
On international flights the same rules as the TSA are applied on most countries like in Canada, UK, Australia and Europe.
I would advise packing your perfume of any quantity inside your checked bag when traveling internationally.
Hope this helps
Happy travels.
People also ask:
- Can I take liquids in checked luggage?
- Can I Bring Deodorant On A Plane?
- Can I Bring Mascara On a Plane?
Resources
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/perfume
- https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/duty-free-perfume-cologne
- https://www.asthma.com/understanding-asthma/asthma-triggers/strong-odors-and-asthma/