Traveling With Cologne: Carry-On Or Checked Bag?

Are you wondering if you can bring your favourite cologne on your next trip? Well, you're in luck! You can bring cologne in your carry-on luggage, but there are some restrictions. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict rules about bringing liquids, aerosols, and gels onto planes, and cologne falls under these regulations due to its flammable nature. According to the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, liquids must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less and placed in a single, clear, plastic, and quart-sized bag for inspection at the security gate. So, if you want to smell great on your travels, make sure your cologne bottle is travel-sized and securely packed!

TSA rules for cologne in carry-on luggage

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has clear rules about bringing cologne onto an aircraft in your carry-on luggage.

According to the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, all carry-on liquids, including gels, lotions, and aerosols, must not exceed 3.4 ounces (100 ml). This is the same for cologne. If the cologne is in a larger container, it must be placed in checked baggage. This is the case even if the container is not full and only contains, for example, 25% cologne and 75% air. The focus is on the size of the container, not the amount of liquid inside.

The cologne bottle must fit comfortably inside a clear, quart-sized bag. This bag must be removed from your carry-on when going through the security checkpoint unless you have TSA Pre-Check.

If you are bringing cologne from an international destination and have a connecting flight in the United States, duty-free liquids are allowed, but they must be packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer, with no signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening. You must also have the original receipt, and the purchase must have been made within 48 hours.

Cologne is considered a toiletry, and the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces). Permitted aerosol release devices (button/nozzle) must be protected by caps or other suitable means to prevent accidental release.

It is recommended that you put cologne bottles inside a Ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible before packing it tightly. This will prevent leakage if the bottle breaks. Cover your toiletry pouch in soft clothing, especially if it is in checked luggage. Avoid packing the cologne bottle near the corners or next to any hard objects.

UK airport rules for cologne in carry-on luggage

If you're travelling through a UK airport, you can bring cologne in your carry-on luggage, but there are some rules you need to follow. Here's a guide to help you navigate the restrictions:

Amount and Container Size

You are allowed to bring a small amount of cologne, specifically up to 100ml per container. The total amount of liquid allowed is one litre. This means you can bring multiple 100ml containers as long as they fit within the one-litre limit. However, it's important to note that the containers must be 100ml or less; partially filled larger containers are usually not accepted.

Bag Requirements

All liquid containers, including cologne, must be placed in a clear, plastic bag. This bag should be resealable and should not exceed 20cm x 20cm in size. Each passenger is allowed only one such bag. The bag must be presented separately for inspection at the security gate.

Additional Considerations

• It's recommended to use travel-sized containers or decant your cologne into smaller bottles to save space and comply with the regulations.
• Label your decanted bottles and keep them at the top of your bag for easy access during screening.
• Wrap the cologne bottle in a protective layer, such as bubble wrap, to prevent breakage and contain any leaks.
• Be aware of specific airline restrictions. Some airlines may have additional criteria or limitations on travelling with cologne. Check with your airline before your trip to ensure you comply with their regulations.
• If you're connecting to another flight, especially in a different country, you may need to go through security again and comply with that country's liquid restrictions.

How to pack cologne in a carry-on bag

Cologne is perfectly fine to bring on an aircraft as long as you follow the TSA liquid rules. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pack cologne in your carry-on bag:

Check the size

Firstly, you need to make sure that your cologne bottle is 3.4oz/100ml or less. Any bottles larger than this will need to be packed in your checked luggage.

Use a clear plastic bag

Place the bottle in a clear, plastic, quart-sized bag. Each passenger is allowed one of these bags, so if you are travelling with others, you may want to coordinate and save space.

Soft clothing

Nestle the plastic bag within some soft clothing, deep inside your carry-on bag. This will help to avoid breakage of the bottle, especially if it is made of delicate glass.

Easy access

Make sure the bag containing your cologne is easily accessible. You will need to remove it from your carry-on luggage when going through security, so keeping it at the top of your bag will save you time and inconvenience.

Other options

If you don't want to take your favourite cologne, you could try a travel-sized version, a solid perfume, a rollerball, or a fragrance sample. These are all designed to be travel-friendly and are a great way to test out a new fragrance.

Duty-free

If you want to bring a bottle of cologne that is over 3.4oz/100ml, you can always purchase one in a duty-free shop within the airport. As these shops are after security, the goods have already been securely checked. Just make sure you keep the receipt and don't break the seal until you are on the plane.

Be aware

Finally, remember to check with your airline and your destination country, as some flights and countries have additional criteria or limitations on travelling with cologne.

How to pack cologne in a checked bag

Packing cologne in a checked bag is simple. There are no packing requirements for cologne in checked luggage, but because they are classified as unsafe items, the quantity of each bottle should not exceed 17 ounces (500ml). However, as almost all fragrance bottles fall under this limit, this won't be an issue.

• Ensure the fragrance bottle has a lid over the nozzle.
• Place the bottle in a Ziploc bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
• Wrap the bottle in bubble wrap or place it in its original box.
• Place the wrapped bottle in the middle of your suitcase, surrounded by soft clothing.
• If you have multiple bottles, consider placing them in a separate box inside your suitcase.
• Don't pack the cologne near the corners or next to any hard objects.
• If you're worried about leaks, you can also place the Ziploc bag inside another container, such as a hard drive case.

Remember, any liquids in your checked luggage should not exceed a total of 68 ounces (2 litres).

Duty-free cologne

When flying, it's important to know the rules about what you can and can't bring on board. Cologne is a liquid, and so it falls under the same regulations as other liquids. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US enforces strict regulations on the transportation of liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on baggage.

If you're travelling with cologne, it's important to ensure that the bottle is 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less to be allowed in your carry-on baggage. This applies to duty-free cologne as well. If you're purchasing cologne at a duty-free shop outside of the US, make sure it's in a transparent container and that the shop packages it in an official, tamper-evident, secure bag. You can then carry it in your hand luggage for the international leg of your trip. Keep the receipt for the purchase with you, and note that duty-free items must have been bought within the last 48 hours.

If you're connecting through a US airport, you'll need to place any liquid duty-free items larger than 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage once you clear customs. Similar conditions apply in other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the UK.

If you're purchasing cologne at a duty-free shop within the US, the quantity restrictions for toiletry articles do not apply, as these items are typically bought at the airport or on the aircraft. However, quantities are generally regulated by customs/duty rules.

To ensure your cologne is allowed on board, it's best to follow the TSA guidelines and keep the bottle under 3.4 ounces. You can also pack it in your checked baggage if you prefer.

Frequently asked questions