Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports
Printable version
1. Overview
There are restrictions on what items you can take in your hand luggage and hold luggage when boarding a plane in the UK.
There are different rules if you鈥檙e taking goods to sell or temporarily abroad for business reasons, for example sales samples, professional equipment or musical instruments for a performance.
Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it鈥檚 normally allowed in hand luggage.
Hand luggage allowances
Check with your airline how many and what size bags you can take on the plane with you.
Check the rules for electronic items and devices you鈥檙e allowed to take on a flight before you travel - there are different rules depending on which country you are travelling to or from.
Taking liquids through security
There are restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage. Check the rules for liquids before you travel.
If possible, pack liquids in your hold baggage (luggage that you check in).
The rules for taking liquids through security in your hand luggage have changed for some UK airports. Check with the airport before you travel.
Liquid restrictions outside the UK
Countries outside the UK might have different rules on carrying liquids as a transit or transfer passenger. You should check these rules with the relevant airlines and airports before travelling.
Lighters
You can only carry 1 lighter on board. You should put it inside a resealable plastic bag (like the ones used for liquids), which you must keep on you throughout the flight. You cannot:
- put it in your hold luggage
- put it in your hand luggage after screening
Food and powders
Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.
Frozen items
You cannot usually carry frozen items in your hand luggage, for example liquid, food or ice packs.聽
There are some exceptions - check the rules for:
2. Liquids
There are restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage. If possible, pack liquids in your hold baggage (luggage that you check in).
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
Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it鈥檚 normally allowed in hand luggage.
Frozen liquids
You cannot carry frozen liquids in your hand luggage.
If you do take liquids in your hand luggage
If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, at most airports:
- containers must hold no more than 100ml
- containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
- contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
- the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top
- you鈥檙e limited to 1 plastic bag per person
- you must show the bag at the airport security point
Liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally cannot go through security even if the container is only part full. There are some exemptions.
Some airports may allow you to take containers of liquid up to 100ml through security in your hand luggage. Check with the airport before you travel.
Also check the rules at other airports you鈥檒l be travelling through - for example on your return journey.
Exemptions
You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security at all UK airports if they:
- are for essential medical purposes
- are for special dietary requirements
- contain baby food or baby milk
You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (such as duty free) through security if:
- the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them
- the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible
You must not open the security bag until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.
3. Baby food and baby milk
When travelling with a baby you鈥檙e allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take however check with your airport before you travel.
You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you鈥檙e not travelling with a baby. You cannot carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.
Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point. Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids.
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Breast milk | Yes, in containers up to 2,000ml | Yes |
| Frozen breast milk | No | Yes |
| Formula milk, cow鈥檚 milk | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes |
| Sterilised water for the baby | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes |
| Soya milk for babies | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes |
| Baby food | Yes (baby must be present) | Yes |
| Cooling gel packs | Yes | Yes |
| Ice packs | Yes | Yes |
4. Personal items
Musical instruments
Contact your airline before you book if you want to travel with a large musical instrument. You may need to make special arrangements, such as buying an extra seat.
Musical instruments will be screened separately.
Mobility aids
Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are usually allowed in the cabin, but will need to be security screened first.
For battery-powered wheelchairs or mobility aids check with your airline first.
Other personal items
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Corkscrew | No | Yes |
| Spoon | Yes | Yes |
| Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm) | No | Yes (check with your airline) |
| Small scissors (with blades no longer than 6cm) | Yes | Yes |
| Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm) | No | Yes (check with your airline) |
| Round-ended/blunt scissors | Yes | Yes |
| Fixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razor) | Yes | Yes |
| Nail clippers/nail file | Yes | Yes |
| Tweezers | Yes | Yes |
| Knitting needles | Yes | Yes |
| Sewing needle | Yes | Yes |
| Umbrella | Yes | Yes |
| Walking stick/cane, walking aid | Yes | Yes |
| Pushchair | Yes | Yes |
| Wheelchair | Yes | Yes |
| Safety matches | Yes | No |
| Non-safety matches | No | No |
| Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics, including party poppers and toy caps | No | No |
| Cigarette lighter | No, but you can put a lighter in a plastic liquids bag and keep it on your person | No |
| Contact lens solution | Yes (up to 100ml) | Yes |
5. Medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements
You鈥檙e allowed to carry the following in your hand luggage:
- essential medicines of more than 100ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers
- medical equipment, if it鈥檚 essential for your journey
You鈥檒l need to carry proof that the medication is prescribed to you (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription) if it鈥檚 both:
- in liquid form
- in a container larger than 100ml
You do not need to show proof if the medication is either:
- in tablet form
- liquid in a container that鈥檚 100ml or smaller
There are different rules if you are travelling with medicine that contains a controlled drug.
Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point. Medical equipment is screened separately.
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets and capsules | Yes | Yes |
| Essential liquid medicines | Yes | Yes |
| Hypodermic syringes | Yes | Yes |
| Inhalers | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling gel packs | Yes | Yes |
| Medical equipment (for example CPAP and TENS machines) | Yes | Yes |
| Special food and liquids needed for medical reasons | Yes | Yes |
| Ice packs | Contact the airport | Yes |
| Oxygen cylinders | Contact your airline | Contact your airline |
6. Electronic devices and electrical items
You can only take certain electronic devices and electrical items on flights to the UK.
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone | Yes | Yes |
| Laptop | Yes | Yes |
| Tablet devices | Yes | Yes |
| MP3 player | Yes | Yes |
| Hairdryer or straighteners | Yes | Yes |
| Travel iron | Yes | Yes |
| Electric shaver | Yes | Yes |
| E-cigarettes | Yes | No |
Some airlines might also have different restrictions. Check with your airline before you travel if you鈥檙e not sure about what you can take as hand luggage.
Cameras
You can usually take camera equipment in your hand and hold luggage.
There might be , for example professional video cameras.
Make sure your devices are charged
Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.
Batteries for your device
Check the or contact your airline if you鈥檙e not sure what you can carry.
Gas-powered hair curlers
You can take hair curlers containing a gas cartridge in hand or hold luggage as long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. You must not take separate gas cartridges on board.
7. Sports equipment
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Sports parachute | Yes | Yes |
| Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats) | No | Yes |
| Tennis racquets | Yes | Yes |
| Snooker, pool or billiard cue | Yes | Yes |
| Golf clubs | No | Yes |
| Darts | No | Yes |
| Walking/hiking poles | No | Yes |
| Fishing rod | Yes | Yes |
| Catapult | No | Yes |
| Firearms (including replica firearms) | No | Check with your airline before you travel |
| Harpoon or spear gun | No | Check with your airline before you travel |
| Crossbow | No | Yes |
| Martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks) | No | Yes |
| Diving equipment | Check with your airline before you travel | Check with your airline before you travel |
8. Work tools
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Tool with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm (for example chisel) | No | Yes |
| Drill and drill bits | No | Yes |
| Stanley knife | No | Yes |
| Saw (including portable power saw) | No | Yes |
| Screwdriver | No | Yes |
| Hammer | No | Yes |
| Pliers | No | Yes |
| Wrench or spanner | No | Yes |
| Bolt gun or nail gun | No | Yes |
| Crowbar | No | Yes |
| Blowtorch | No | Yes |
9. Chemicals and toxic substances
You cannot take any of these items as hand luggage or in the hold:
- oxidisers and organic peroxides, including bleach and car body repair kits
- acids and alkalis (for example spillable 鈥榳et鈥� batteries)
- corrosives or bleaching agents (including mercury and chlorine)
- vehicle batteries and fuel systems
- self defence or disabling sprays (for example mace, pepper spray)
- radioactive materials (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)
- poisons or toxic substances (for example rat poison)
- biological hazards (for example infected blood, bacteria, viruses)
- materials that could spontaneously combust (burst into flames)
- fire extinguishers
10. Ammunition
You cannot take any guns or firearms (including air rifles and starting pistols) as hand luggage. You may be able to take them as hold luggage - check with your airline before you travel.
You cannot take any of these items as hand luggage or in the hold:
- blasting caps
- detonators and fuses
- imitation explosive devices (including replica or model guns)
- mines, grenades, and other explosive military stores
- fireworks and pyrotechnics
- smoke canisters
- smoke cartridges
- dynamite
- gunpowder
- plastic explosives (including black powder and percussion caps)
- flares
- hand grenades
- gun cigarette lighters