What Is a Liquid, and What Isn’t: Part Two

The 3-1-1 rule has been around since 2006, but the policy continues to vex travelers. What, exactly, consyitutes a liquid in the eyes of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and when does the TSA make exceptions? I tackled this question a few months ago, but as is often the case with complicated airline safety regulations, those answers only spawned more questions. So let’s take a look at a few of the inquiries that readers posted to that article.

Reader Blkbyrd2010 wrote, “I will be traveling with medication I must take for a kidney transplant. The medicine is liquid Prograf. Will I have a problem. I am due to travel beginning March 2, 2010.”

The TSA makes exceptions for liquid medications, but there are a few things you need to do. First, place any medications in a separate zip-top bag—not the same bag you use for your other liquids. Then declare your medications to TSA screeners at the airport and present the items for additional screening at the X-ray machine.

Reader csbmacbean asks, “I’m going to Mexico and read that it would be a good idea to take baby wipes. Do I put these in a baggy in my clear plastic bag with my shampoo, etc.?”

I had to call the TSA about this one because no mention of moist baby wipes appears on the TSA website. I was told that moist wipes are allowed in any quantity or container. Skeptical, I asked, “So I could just buy box of these wipes and toss them in my carry-on?” Yes, was the answer. So there you go.

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Reader wburdine wondered, “What about the Duty Free perfume and liquor? Since you cannot put that in checked baggage, are they allowed as carry on?”

In short, yes. Duty-free liquid items purchased beyond security are permissible, but be careful not to exceed your maximum allowable carry-on limit. If you plan on making a large duty-free purchase at the airport, your shopping bag may be considered a personal item, so try to limit your purchases to items that can fit in your carry-on.

However, as reader nto pointed out, “don’t try to take [duty free liquids] through a second security if you have to transfer mid route. I have seen such items confiscated by the security at the transfer site, even though they were in a clear, sealed duty free package from the place where the first flight originated.”

This is absolutely correct. If you are returning to the U.S. and have a connection in the States, transfer your duty-free liquids to your checked bags. TSA will confiscate oversized liquids even if they are in an official tamper-evident bag.

That’s it for this round of liquid questions, but I’m sure the book is far from closed. If you have any tips for dealing with the 3-1-1 rule, share them below. And as always, share your travel-related questions in a comment below or shoot me an email. Thanks!