Going on a vacation can be so exciting, but packing for your trip can be less than pleasant. Adding air travel to the packing process can be confusing as the rules change often. A common question when flying is if you can bring deodorant on a plane.
You can bring liquid or solid deodorant in a carry-on or checked bag if it meets the TSA criteria. Solid deodorant of any size is permissible on a plane in a carry-on or checked bag. Liquid deodorant must be less than or equal to 3.4 ounces for you to bring it in a carry-on bag.
Don’t let confusion over what you can and can’t pack put a damper on your upcoming vacation. Read on to get the answers you need when it comes to packing your deodorant.
Will the TSA Confiscate Deodorant?
You can bring deodorant on a plane, but the TSA will confiscate deodorant if it does not meet the travel criteria.
A container cannot exceed 3.4 ounces when brought in a carry-on bag. Furthermore, a container cannot exceed 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces when you pack it in a checked bag.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) limits the amount of toiletry or medicinal articles, including aerosols, a person can bring on a plane. The total quantity of these articles cannot exceed 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces.
Permitted aerosol deodorants in carry-on or checked bags must have a cap to prevent accidental release of the contents.
So what is considered a toiletry or medicinal article? The FAA says that if the item doesn’t touch your body when you use it, it will not qualify as such.
Some people like to freshen up after a long flight before landing. However, you should keep in mind that you can’t use all carry-on items during a flight. If your deodorant gives off a strong scent, consult the flight attendants first.
A Quick Look at the TSA’s Rules for Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels
- You are allowed to bring liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste deodorant in your carry-on bag or checked bag.
- Liquid deodorant should be in travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces or less per item.
- You should keep liquid deodorant separate in your carry-on bag and place it in a quart-sized resealable bag. When you get to the TSA line, remove this bag from your carry-on luggage and put it in its own tub. This will help the screening process when moving through the security checkpoint.
- Any liquid, aerosol, or gel deodorant larger than 3.4 ounces should go in your checked baggage. This rule applies regardless of the amount of liquid left in the container.
- Aerosol deodorant in your carry-on or checked bag must have a cap to prevent accidentally spaying.
- Sometimes liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste deodorants will set off the alarm when going through security. If this happens, your baggage will require additional screening.
- Liquid and aerosol deodorants have specific quantity restrictions in checked bags. The total amount of liquid or aerosol deodorant cannot be more than 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces per person. Each liquid or aerosol container cannot be more than 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces per person.
Is Deodorant Considered a Liquid?
The TSA separates deodorant into two categories: solid and liquid. Deodorants that come in spray, gel, liquid, cream, or paste are subject to TSA’s liquids rule of 3.4-ounce containers. You must place these deodorants in a resealable quart-sized bag.
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What If I Forget to Put Deodorant in a Plastic Bag?
Spray, gel, liquid, cream, paste, or roll-on deodorant needs to be 3.4 ounces and in a quart-sized resealable bag. If you realize that you have forgotten to put it in a bag, you should immediately tell the TSA agent.
Ultimately, it is up to the agent if they allow you through security and let you bring deodorant on the plane. There is a chance that the TSA agent will throw the deodorant away.
Does It Matter What Kind of Deodorant I Bring On a Plane?
TSA has specific rules depending on the type of deodorant. Liquid, semi-liquid, solid, and aerosol deodorants are allowed on planes in carry-on and checked bags. However, there are limitations to each type of deodorant.
Stick Deodorant
You can bring stick deodorants of any size in carry-on bags and checked bags as long as they are true solids.
Gel Deodorant
You can pack gel deodorant in carry-on bags and checked bags, but size limitations exist. Gel deodorant brought in a carry-on bag must be travel-sized, meaning that it is equal to or less than 3.4 ounces.
You can bring standard-sized gel deodorant in checked baggage, but there are limitations.The total quantity of gel deodorant can not exceed 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces. Each container of gel deodorant cannot exceed 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces.
Related Read: 25 Fun Things to Do on a Long Flight
Aerosol Deodorant
You can pack aerosol deodorant in both carry-on bags and checked bags. Aerosol deodorant falls under the same rules as gel deodorants, so there are limitations on the size of the deodorant.
Aerosol deodorant in a carry-on bag must be equal to or less than 3.4 ounces. Aerosol deodorant you bring in a checked bag can be standard size.
The total quantity of aerosol deodorant cannot exceed 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces. Each container of aerosol deodorant cannot exceed 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces. The aerosol deodorant must have a cap to prevent accidentally releasing the contents.
Roll-On Deodorant
Roll-on deodorant also falls under the liquid rule. TSA allows roll-on deodorant containers that are less than or equal to 3.4 ounces in a carry-on bag.
Roll-on deodorants of any size are permitted in checked bags as long as the container does not exceed 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces.
Keep in mind that most stick and liquid deodorants come in travel sizes under 3.4 ounces. However, most roll-on deodorants tend to be larger, so they may have to go in a checked bag.
Related Read: Can You Bring a Hydroflask on a Plane?
Can I Bring Deodorant On a Plane If It’s In My Purse?
You can bring deodorant on a plane and carry it in your purse as long as you follow the TSA guidelines. The guidelines are the same that apply to carry-on bags.
The deodorant cannot exceed 3.4 ounces, and if the deodorant is in an aerosol can, it should have a cap.
If your deodorant isn’t in stick form, you should keep it in a resealable quart-sized bag to quickly go through security.
What If I Bring Deodorant on a Plane In a Checked Bag?
If you are traveling with a checked bag, you can pack your deodorant larger than 3.4 ounces in there. There are no restrictions for packing any form of deodorant in your checked luggage.
You can bring all types of deodorants in a checked bag as long as they don’t exceed the quantity guidelines.The FAA does limit the total quantity of medicinal and toiletry items, including aerosols in checked baggage.
Per person, the total quantity cannot exceed 70 ounces of 68 fluid ounces. The total capacity for each container cannot exceed 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces.
What Is the Best Way to Pack Deodorant?
The best way to pack deodorant ultimately depends on the type of deodorant you are traveling with. If you’re not confident your deodorant will pass through security, put it in a checked bag.
This will prevent any troubles or confusion going through security. If you are only bringing a carry-on bag, make sure you follow the guidelines mentioned above.
It’s always a good idea to pack deodorant and all toiletries in a resealable bag when traveling. Luggage can often shift and shake, whether you bring a checked bag or a carry-on bag. Keeping the deodorant in a resealable bag will prevent the contents from getting on the other items inside your suitcase.
Still Not Sure If You Can Bring Deodorant On a Plane? Ask the TSA
The TSA has all sorts of rules when it comes to what you can pack, from toothpaste to if you can bring a skateboard on a plane.
If you are unsure if you can bring an item through the security checkpoint, it is best to ask the TSA ahead of time. Lucky for you, there are a variety of ways to contact the TSA through social media, email, or by phone.
You can tweet, Facebook message, or Apple message with a TSA officer live from 8 AM to 6 PM ET. If you need to request information, submit a compliment or complaint, or have a TSA PreCheck issue, it’s best to email.
Automated information is available anytime if you call the TSA. Live representatives are available from 8 AM to 11 PM ET on weekdays or 9 AM to 8 PM on weekends and holidays.
The TSA website has a list of commonly asked questions by travelers and answers from the TSA. This list of questions includes disabilities and medical conditions, ID requirements, lost or damaged items, and permitted and prohibited items. You can also find answers to questions about TSA PreCheck here.
Related Read: Can You Wear Jewelry Through Airport Security?
A Final Look at When You Can Bring Deodorant on a Plane
Knowing the TSA rules on deodorant will save you time and prevent any confusion when going through airport security. You don’t want to start your trip having to throw away your toiletries or miss a flight because of this. Also, other travelers don’t appreciate it when the line moving through security comes to a standstill.
If you bring a checked bag, you can pack any type of deodorant as long as it follows TSA’s guidelines. A single container of deodorant in a checked bag cannot exceed 18 ounces or 17 fluid ounces. The total quantity of deodorant in a checked bag cannot exceed 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces.
Any type of deodorant in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or less. Any liquid or aerosol deodorant must be in a quart-sized resealable bag.
But solid, or stick, deodorant does not need to be. If you bring aerosol deodorant in a carry-on bag, it must have a cap to prevent the contents from leaking.
