How much hand sanitizer can I bring on a plane during COVID?
A bottle of 10 oz (295 mL) hand sanitizer sitting on top of a suitcase.
Image: The Window Flyer
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It’s a question many travelers might be wondering about during the COVID-19 pandemic – can I bring hand sanitizer on the plane, and if so, how much? The good news is you can, and up to 12 ounces of it.
Hand sanitizer has always been allowed in carry-on luggage, but pre-pandemic, was subject to restrictions on quantity. In the United States, it was regulated by TSA’s 3-1-1 rule on liquids. As a refresher, the 3-1-1 rule means that passengers can only carry liquids, gels, and aerosols (such as hand sanitizer, toothpaste, lotions, etc.) in individual containers that are 3.4 ounces max, and all containers must be able to fit within a single one-quart size resealable bag.
Elsewhere in the world, Canada’s Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and the European Union have also had similar rules in place, limiting liquids containers to 100 mL and able to fit in a 1 L bag.
However, with the public health crisis, security rules have been temporarily modified to allow an exception for hand sanitizer.
Revised Limits
Regulations vary across the world, but until further notice:
In the United States, TSA is permitting passengers to carry through security screening checkpoints, one (1) hand sanitizer container of up to 12 ounces. TSA is advising that passengers should expect to have the larger container screened separately. While not explicit, it is implied from the TSA website that the bottle of hand sanitizer can be carried in addition to the one quart-sized bag with travelers’ other liquids.
In Canada, CATSA has also created an exemption for hand sanitizer. CATSA is permitting passengers to carry one bottle of hand sanitizer of up to 355 mL in addition to their normal 100 mL liquids in a 1 L clear resealable bag.
In India, passengers may carry up to 350 mL of hand sanitizer.
Unfortunately, in Europe, neither the UK nor European Union appear to have exemptions on hand sanitizer, and as such, their 100 mL rules still apply.
In Australia, domestic passengers do not have any limits on quantities of liquids. International flights are bound by the 100 mL rule, and it does not appear there are any temporary exemptions for hand sanitizer.
Rules and regulations can change at any time, so we advise our readers to always check the websites of your country’s aviation security body for the latest information.
Hand Sanitizer Recommendations
If you are flying in the coming days or weeks, or just want to stock up, now is the time to make that hand sanitizer purchase so that it arrives in time for your travels.
We’ve curated a few products here that fall under the limits mentioned above. As hand sanitizer limits vary by country and jurisdiction, please be sure to select the container size that is permitted where you will be flying.
You can also check out our more detailed guide on which hand sanitizers (gel, packet, wipes, spray) are best for travel.
Hand Sanitizing Wipes are a great portable option for travel, and are TSA-Friendly
These bottled hand sanitizers are TSA-Friendly during Covid
Masks Still Mandatory
As you prepare for your flight, remember, masks are still mandatory on US flights through at least April 18, 2022, even if fully vaccinated.
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