Can You Bring Lotion on a Plane? | 2024 Travel Guide

Lotion is a must-have product for our skin, helping it stay soft and happy throughout the season. But have you ever thought about bringing lotion on planes with you? It’s a little puzzling, isn’t it?

Because the TSA has its own rules for almost every type of product, like shampoo, hair gel, and deodorant. Similarly, lotion also falls under the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule, which you’ll have to comply with and follow the guidelines of the TSA while packing lotion in your luggage.

But don’t worry; that’s why you and I are here. In this guide to bringing lotion on planes, we’ll take a look at TSA rules about lotion, both for carry-on and checked luggage and also go into detail about how much lotion you can bring with you on planes and much more.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have everything you need to know about bringing lotion on planes and you’ll be confident enough to travel with your lotion. So stay with us till the end of this guide.

TSA Rule for Bringing Lotion on Planes

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) considers lotion a liquid product, and they’ve dedicated rules for liquid transportation. The rule is known as the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule. In order to bring lotion in your carry-on luggage, your lotion must comply with this rule.

Rule for Carry-On Luggage

The TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule says that any container of liquid, gel or aerosol must not exceed 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and be kept in a quart-size bag that should be clear and resealable. More importantly, only one passenger is allowed to bring one bag.

If your lotion follows the above restrictions, you can bring it with you without any issue.

Rule for Checked Luggage

If you need to bring liquid, gel or aerosol weighing more than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml, you can bring it in your checked luggage. TSA (Transportation Security Administration) doesn’t have any restrictions on the quantity of liquid, so you can bring as much as you want.

Exception

However, there are exceptions as well. According to TSA, if any lotion is prescribed to you for any medical purpose, you’re allowed to bring it with you in your carry-on luggage, even if it exceeds the permissible limits.

But keep in mind that you’ll have to inform the TSA officer about bringing lotion on the plane that exceeds the limit of 3.4 ounces for medical purposes.

Let’s dive into details with regards to bringing lotion in your carry-on and checked luggage, along with exceptions.

Also read: Can You Bring Umbrella on a Plane?

Lotion in Carry on Luggage: Is It Allowed?

Yes, you can put lotion in your carry-on luggage as per the TSA rule we explained above. In order to bring lotion in your carry-on luggage, the container of your lotion must be less than or equal to 3.4 ounces, which is 100 ml.

Keep in mind that it’s not about the quantity of lotion but rather the capacity of the container. No matter if the quantity of lotion inside the container is less than 3.4 ounces, the container capacity itself should not exceed the limit of 3.4 ounces.

Further, you must keep the container inside a clear or transparent quart-size bag or toiletry bag that must be resealable so that the screening process can be quick and smooth, and you’re not allowed to bring more than one toiletry bag.

Most standard lotion bottles exceed the limit of 3.4 ounces or 100 ml, so if your lotion container exceeds the limit, transfer your lotion to smaller containers to ensure that you stay within the limit and avoid any confiscation.

There is no doubt that lotion is allowed to be brought into your carry-on luggage, but keep in mind that the final decision about whether you can bring any product or not through the security checkpoint completely depends on the TSA officer.

Can I take an 8-ounce lotion on a plane?

Yes, you can take 8-ounce lotion on a plane both in carry-on and checked luggage while following the guidelines set by the TSA.

Can you bring 8 ounces of lotion in carry-on luggage?

For carry-on luggage, you must comply with the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule, which we’ve already explained above. But you might be thinking that, according to the TSA liquid rule, any container larger than 3.4 ounces is not allowed in carry-on luggage. Then how is it possible to take 8 ounces of lotion?

Yes, you’re right, but the trick is that you can transfer lotion into small bottles or containers that are within the set limit of 3.4 ounces and take multiple bottles of lotion with you. In this way, you can bring 8 ounces of lotion with you, even in carry-on luggage.

Can you bring 8-ounce lotion in checked luggage?

Yes, if you don’t want to transfer lotion in small containers, you can take 8 ounces of lotion in your checked luggage.

Not only 8-ounces but even more than that, you can bring in your checked luggage. TSA has no restriction on the quantity of liquid when it comes to bringing in checked luggage. So you can bring as much as you want.

Also read: Can You Bring Nail Clippers on a Plane?

Lotion for Medical Purpose: Exception to TSA 3-1-1 Liquid Rule

If the lotion you’re planning to bring in your carry-on luggage is prescribed to you by a doctor or medical practitioner, you can bring it with you in your carry-on luggage, even if it’s more than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml.

You can even bring your lotion outside the toiletry bag. But keep in mind that you’ll have to inform the TSA officer about bringing lotion with you for medical purposes. You’ll also have to take it out at the security checkpoint because TSA might need to inspect it separately for essential items.

We’d highly suggest you bring your doctor’s prescription with you, as TSA might ask you for the same.

That’s not only applicable to lotion but also to any liquid, gel or even aerosol if it’s prescribed. So you can bring any product for medical purposes even if it exceeds 3.4 ounces but that’ll need extra screening.

Lotion in Checked Luggage: Is It Permissible?

Yes, the answer is a big yes! You’re allowed to bring lotion in your checked luggage. TSA has special conditions with respect to bringing lotion in your carry-on luggage. For checked luggage, they don’t have any restrictions.

So if you want to bring lotion weighing more than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml, you can bring it in your checked luggage. But TSA strictly says that the cap or lid of your container must be packed tightly and securely to avoid any leakage.

The Final Thoughts: Can you bring lotion on a plane?

Yes, you can bring lotion on a plane both in carry-on and checked luggage. Lotion is considered a liquid product; the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid is applicable to lotion. If you want to bring it in your carry-on luggage, you must follow the TSA 3-1-1 guidelines, which we’ve already explained in detail above.

However, there is an exception as well. You’re required to bring medically prescribed lotion with you, and because of the exemption, you can bring it even if it exceeds the limit of 3.4 ounces.

For checked luggage, there is no limit; you can bring lotion as much as you want but make sure that the lotion container or bottle is tight and secure to avoid any messes.

We’ve tried our best to help you in the best possible way. We hope you enjoyed reading our guide. If you still have any questions, let us know in the comment section below; we’d be more than happy to assist you.

Thanks for reading.

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