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Liquids in carry-on luggage
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New rules on hand luggage – what is and isn't allowed?
This section provides answers to questions on the subject of liquids in hand luggage. How can you prepare and what special regulations are in effect, for example for medication?
- What flights are subject to the regulation? The European regulation limiting the quantity of liquids in carry-on baggage applies to all flights within the EU, regardless of the destination or the nationality of the airline. It also applies to passengers transferring from one flight to another at an airport within the EU. Certain exceptions apply to passengers whose first flight originates at an airport within the EU.
- Which passengers are directly affected by these regulations? All passengers whose flights originate in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Norway, or change planes at an airport within the EU or the above-named countries.
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Who can provide detailed information on the new regulation and the planned implementation?
Background information on the decision and its concrete impact at the individual checkpoints can be provided by the EU or the responsible authorities (the German Ministry of the Interior).
Select one of the following links:
Related info:
German Airports Association website (in German)
Website of the German Ministry of the Interior (in German) -
Can liquids still be carried in hand baggage on EU flights?
Generally speaking, no. Exceptions apply to containers with liquids or similar products such as toothpaste in packages no larger than 100 ml (based on the maximum volume indicated on the container).
In addition, all such containers must be carried in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum volume of 1 liter.
Every passenger may take only one plastic bag aboard. The plastic bag must be presented separately at the security screening checkpoint.
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How can passengers prepare for screening at the airport?
Passengers should limit the amount of liquids taken on board to a necessary minimum.
To speed up the security screening process, we recommend keeping the bag with liquids separate from your hand baggage.
The same applies to jackets and electronic devices, which are also checked separately.
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What items are defined as liquids?
It is prohibited to carry liquids and comparable substances in your hand luggage.
These include gels, pastes, lotions, mixtures of liquids and solids and the contents of squeezable containers such as toothpaste, hair gels, beverages, soups, syrup, perfume, shaving foam, aerosols (sprays) and other similar materials.
- Why do liquids have to be transported in plastic bags from now on? This process was selected for practical reasons to limit the number of containers carried on board. This solution made it possible to avoid a total ban on liquids.
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Where can passengers purchase the plastic bags?
The bags are available in stores, for example as sealable freezer bags with a volume not exceeding 1 liter.
At the airport, special vending machines are positioned ahead of the security checkpoints. These bags are also available at stores in the airport such as Newspoint, Check-Out and Edeka.
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In what form is it permitted to carry medication and special foods in hand luggage?
Medication and special foods (e.g. baby food and meals for diabetics) needed during the flight (including nose sprays, eye drops and insulin) can be taken on board.
It is ultimately the passenger’s responsibility, if the need arises, to provide proof that these items must be carried in hand luggage (e.g. in the form of a prescription).
Medication or baby food can be carried outside the transparent plastic bag, but must be presented separately at the security screening checkpoint.
- Can duty free articles be carried in hand luggage? Duty free articles can generally be carried in hand luggage provided that they are purchased at an EU airport and transported in a bag sealed at the point of sale and accompanied by a sales slip showing the current date.
- Can duty free articles be purchased on board an aircraft? You may carry articles in your hand luggage if they were purchased on board an EU-registered aircraft and are transported in a sealed plastic bag, provided that you can present a sales slip with the current date.
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Is there a place at the airport where I can deposit products for safekeeping that cannot be taken on board?
Products that do not meet the criteria cannot be taken on board.
Airports do not have any official storage facilities particularly for liquids.
However, Munich Airport offers a baggage storage service for a fee.
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Is any liability assumed by airlines or the airport for items that must be left behind at the security screening checkpoint?
The airport or airline cannot assume any liability for articles left behind.
For items carried in check-in luggage, the usual liability terms apply.
