Liquids, aerosols and gels in hand luggage

Liquids, non-solid foods and personal effects

You can make your check-out experience faster and easier by properly storing your liquids, non-solid foods, personal belongings and toiletries. At the airport, these items are called “liquids, aerosols and gels”. Below you will find information about various items that fall into these categories, a list of items that are exempt from these restrictions, and tips on how to store these items. On this page

• Examples of liquids, non-solid foods and personal effects that constitute liquids, aerosols and gels:

• How to store your liquids, non-solid foods and personal belongings

• Liquids and non-solid foods

• Alcohol

• Personal effects

• Exceptions

Examples of liquids, non-solid foods and personal effects that constitute liquids, aerosols and gels: LiquidsAerosolsGels

• coffee

• soft drink

• juice

• bottled water

• Maple syrup

• alcohol

• shampoo

• conditioner

• mouthwash

• toothpaste

• scent

• cologne

• liquid soap

• insect repellent

• liquid or gel hand sanitizer

• creams or lotions

• hair spray

• cosmetics in liquid form (e.g., mascara, liquid foundation, liquid eyeliner)

• hair spray

• body spray

• antistatic

• spray sunscreen

• shaving cream

• spray deodorant

• spray cheese

• lip gloss

• styling gel

• jam

• jelly

• pudding

• yogurt

• gelatin

• mashed potatoes

• peanut butter

• chocolate spread

• cheese spread

• maple butter

• shaving gel

• gel deodorant

• gel cosmetics (e.g., gel blush, gel lip products)

Please note that if an item illegal in Canada (e.g. pepper spray) is discovered at the checkpoint, CATSA is required to notify the police. How to store your liquids, non-solid foods and personal belongings

• Liquids, non-solid foods or personal effects carried in your carry-on baggage must be in containers of 100 ml/100 g (3.4 oz) or less . All containers must fit easily in a plastic bag transparent and resealable with a maximum capacity of 1 L. The bag must be transparent so that screening officers can easily see what it contains.

• Each passenger is only allowed one 1L bag containing liquids, food and personal effects. Approximate dimensions for a 1 L bag are 15.24 cm by 22.86 cm (6 in. by 9 in.) or 20 cm by 17.5 cm (8 in. by 7 in.).

• At the checkpoint, remove your plastic bag from your carry-on baggage and place it in one of the bins provided.

• Any container over 100 ml or 100 g (3.4 oz) can be stored in your checked baggage provided it is not a prohibited item.

• Avoid bringing gifts and souvenirs containing liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on baggage. This includes: alcohol, wine, beer, snow globes, cans of condensed soup, maple syrup, perfume and lotions. Pack them in your checked baggage or ship them separately.

Liquids and non-solid foods

• Beverages: Consume or discard any beverage in a container larger than 100 ml before arriving at the security checkpoint. This includes water in your personal water bottle. You will be able to refill your bottle once you have passed the security checkpoint.

• Alcohol purchased from duty-free shops: Make sure you know the rules about carrying alcohol purchased from duty-free shops in your carry-on baggage.

• Foods are not exempt from liquid restrictions:

  • Non-solid foods in your carry-on baggage (e.g. yogurt, pudding, peanut butter or jam) must be in containers of 100 ml or less. All containers must fit easily in the same closed, resealable 1 L transparent plastic bag, with all other containers for liquids, food or personal effects that you are carrying.

  • Foods over 100 ml that are normally in liquid or gel form, but have been completely frozen, will not be allowed in your carry-on baggage. In order for a food to be considered solid, it must be in a solid state at room temperature.

  • Solid foods containing less than 100 ml of liquid: Canned or jarred foods clearly containing less than 100 ml of liquid (a can of tuna, for example) are permitted. These items must be able to be stored in the same transparent, closed, resealable 1 L plastic bag, with all other containers of liquids, food or personal effects that you are carrying.

• Foods stored in checked baggage: Solid and non-solid foods (over 100 ml) are permitted in checked baggage, however, certain restrictions may apply.

Did you know? You can bring solid foods in your carry-on and checked baggage. See the “Traveling with Food ” page for more information. Alcohol You can carry alcoholic beverages (including house wine or beer and commercial products) in your checked baggage if:

• the alcohol percentage by volume is equal to or less than 70% (140 proof);

• the quantity does not exceed five liters per person for alcoholic beverages with a percentage of alcohol by volume of 24 to 70%.

Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol percentage by volume of 24% or less are not subject to quantity restrictions. Duty-Free Alcoholic Beverages: Please see Duty-Free Shopping . Check the Canada Border Services Agency website for quantities of alcoholic beverages permitted as a personal exemption. Personal effects Personal effects are permitted in carry-on baggage if they meet liquid restrictions. Certain restrictions also apply to personal items stored in checked baggage. You can carry the following products, in limited quantities, in your checked baggage:

• Insect repellent (limit of one aerosol container per person)

• Spray toiletries (e.g., hairspray, perfume, cologne, deodorant)

Aerosols must not have a capacity greater than 500 ml/500 g per container , with the total net quantity not exceeding 2 L/2 kg. Aerosol can valves must be protected by a cap or other suitable device to prevent accidental release of contents. Exceptions Some items are not subject to the 100 ml or 100 g (3.4 oz) limit and do not need to be stored in a plastic bag. However, you must report these items to the screening officer for inspection. The exceptions are:

• Baby food and drinks: If you are traveling with a child under two years old (0 to 24 months), it is allowed to bring baby food, milk, infant formula, water and juice.

• Breast milk: Passengers traveling with or without children may carry quantities of breast milk exceeding 100 ml.

• Prescription medications: are permitted.

• Essential medicines without a prescription , such as homeopathic products, pain relievers, cough syrup, decongestant sprays, nutritional gel supplements, saline solutions or eye care products, are permitted.

• COVID-19 test kits are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage without restriction.

• Gel packs and cooler packs: are permitted when necessary to treat an injury, to refrigerate baby food, milk, breast milk, infant formula, water and juice of children under of two years (0 to 24 months), or to store medically necessary items or medications.

• Liquids and gels for diabetes: Juices or gels are allowed if you need them to control your diabetes or other medical conditions.

• Distilled water for continuous positive pressure ventilation devices: Distilled water necessary for the operation of continuous positive pressure ventilation devices is exempt from the liquid restrictions.

You are not required to provide documentation supporting your medical condition or medical needs. However, if you believe it would facilitate the screening process, you can hand it over to the screening officer, along with any items you need for medical reasons.