Liquid Carry-On Restrictions Within Europe

Shampoo, lotions and beauty products are usually necessary when traveling, but it can be tricky to get them on the airplane. European liquid carry-on restrictions are very similar to those enforced in the United States, restricting how much you can bring on-board. These regulations were developed on the international level by the International Civil Aviation Organization in the wake of a foiled terrorist plot to blow up a flight originating in London Heathrow using liquid explosives disguised in soft drink bottles. Follow instructions to ensure you won't have to throw anything away during the airport security screenings.

Passengers can bring a maximum of 1 liter of liquids aboard a European flight, but the liquids must be distributed in small containers with a maximum capacity of 100 milliliters each. These containers must be carried together in a transparent travel pouch or resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter and taken out of the carry-on for screening and inspection in the security line.

According to the regulations, many toiletries such as toothpaste and hair gel are considered to be liquids even though they don't have a watery consistency. To be safe, pack only 100-milliliter containers of creams, gels, pastes or sprays. If a passenger violates these rules, security staff will ask the passenger to go back to check in the carry-on bag, or will seize and destroy the item if there is no time or the passenger doesn't want to check the carry-on.

Essential prescription medication is exempt from the liquids restrictions provided that the passenger brings along a doctor's prescription or letter from a qualified medical professional attesting to the essential nature of the drug. Prescription drugs should be packed in a separate transparent plastic bag for easy inspection.

Likewise, parents can bring baby food, formula, and breast milk for their children on board a European flight in a separate zipper-type plastic bag. You may be asked to open and taste the baby food as part of the security check.

Once you pass security in an E.U. country, your duty-free purchases are safe, provided your flight terminates within the E.U. You must not, however, open duty-free purchases onboard and should keep them in their original sealed, tamper-proof shopping bag. This concerns direct as well as connecting flights within the E.U. Passengers traveling from countries outside of the E.U. with connecting flights in Europe should not, however, purchase duty-free liquids because of the risk of confiscation.