Hand sanitizer or sanitizing gels are essential items to bring on planes, especially when you can’t use soap and water.
You can bring hand sanitizer in your carry-on, but each container must be 3.4 ounces / 100 ml or less when going through TSA security. It must follow the TSA liquids rule and fit in your quart-size bag with your other liquids, gels and toiletries.
You can pack larger bottles of hand sanitizer in your checked luggage, subject to FAA limits.
In this detailed post I will cover everything you need to know about taking hand sanitizer on planes within the US and on international flights.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR
- You can bring hand sanitizer on a plane in both your carry-on and checked luggage.
- In your carry-on, each container need to be 3.4 oz / 100 ml or less and fit inside one quart-size bag when going through TSA security.
- Place larger bottles in your checked bag.
- For flights from the US, FAA rules allow up to 2 L / 68 fl oz total per person, with each container limited to 500 ml / 17 fl oz in checked bags.
- Hand sanitizer is considered a liquid or gel, and alcohol-based sanitizer may also be subject to flammability restrictions.
Can You Take Hand Sanitizer Through The TSA Checkpoint?
Gone are the days of the pandemic when TSA allowed passengers to bring larger bottles of hand sanitizer through the security.
And as hand sanitizer is considered a liquid or gel it needs to follow the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
You can bring hand sanitizer in containers of 3.4 ounces / 100 ml or less through the security checkpoint for personal use.
Place the container in your quart-size bag along with your other liquids and toiletries.
Here is what the TSA stated on its website:
This is the same answer from the TSA X (Twitter) account.
If your hand sanitizer container is larger than 3.4 ounces / 100 ml, you generally cannot take it through the TSA security checkpoint in your carry-on bag.
You will need to follow the rules when traveling with alcohol-based hand sanitizer because it can be flammable.
If your item doesn’t meet the applicable requirements, a security officer may not let it pass through the security checkpoint.
As always, the TSA officer at the security checkpoint makes the final decision about whether an item can pass through security.
Can You Take Hand Sanitizer In Checked Luggage?
Hand sanitizer can be useful when you can’t find a place to wash your hands, so you may want to pack an extra bottle in your checked baggage.
The FAA has specific limits for medicinal and toiletry articles, including hand sanitizers, that you pack in checked baggage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows a total of up to 2 kg / 70 ounces or 2 L / 68 fluid ounces) per person for these items.
Each container can hold no more than 0.5 kg / 18 ounces or 500 ml /17 fluid ounces.
So, for example, a larger bottle of hand sanitizer can go in your checked luggage as long as it stays within the applicable container and total quantity limits.
I do think that 2 L / 68 fluid ounces of toiletries is more than enough for most travelers.
You usually won’t need that much hand sanitizer, and you can find it in most destinations.
How Much Hand Sanitizer Is Allowed In International Flight?
When taking hand sanitizer on an international flight, you should check the liquid rules at your departure and transit airports.
The rules are similar in many countries, but they are not exactly the same everywhere.
Flights in the USA
For flights departing from the US, TSA allows hand sanitizer in your carry-on when each container is 3.4 ounces / 100 ml or less and follows the liquids rule.
For checked baggage, FAA limits these toiletry products to 2 L / 68 fluid ounces in total per person, with each container limited to 500 ml / 17 fluid ounces.
Flights in Canada
Canada also allows liquid hand sanitizer in carry-on baggage when each container is 100 ml or less. Liquids, aerosols and gels must fit in one clear, resealable 1 L bag.
Hand sanitizer is also allowed in checked baggage.
Flights in Europe
Liquid restrictions at European airports generally limit containers of liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on baggage to 100 ml, but you should check the security rules for the specific airport you are departing from.
If your hand sanitizer is larger than the permitted carry-on container size, pack it in your checked baggage if it meets the applicable airline and aviation safety rules.
Flights in the United Kingdom
UK liquid rules can vary by airport.
At most UK airports, you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100 ml through security, while some airports may allow containers up to 2 liters.
Final Thoughts
Hand sanitizer is generally allowed on planes, but it has restrictions because it is treated as a liquid or gel and many hand sanitizers contain alcohol.
For a carry-on bag, keep your hand sanitizer in a container of 3.4 ounces / 100 ml or less and follow the applicable liquids rule at your airport.
You can pack larger containers in your checked bag, but remember that FAA quantity limits apply when departing from the US.
If you’re flying internationally, check the liquid rules for your departure and transit airports because they can differ from the TSA rules.
I hope this helps.
Happy travels.
