Liquids, Gels and Aerosols

What exactly are liquids, gels and aerosols (LAGs)?

LAGs include:

Can I take water/ drinks / foods with liquids through the security screening point at HKIA?

Not unless they are in containers no larger than 100ml and placed in a clear re-sealable plastic bag with maximum capacity of 1 litre. To avoid inconvenience, passengers can purchase water or other drinks in shops after security and airlines do provide water during the flight.

What will happen to LAGs items and containers that cannot be brought through the security screening checkpoint?

All such items will be disposed of. To facilitate the security screening process and avoid unnecessary disposal of your LAGs at the security screening checkpoint, passengers should pack any LAGs that are not required for the flight in the hold baggage.

Transparent Re-sealable Plastic Bag for Passengers to Carry
Allowable Quantities of LAGs past the Security Control Point at HKIA

Is there any specific requirement on the shape or size of the transparent re-sealable plastic bag?

We recommend passengers use a bag with dimensions of20cm by 20cm (8 inches by 8 inches), the capacity of which does not exceed 1 litre. This type of plastic bag is the most common one that has been used where the measures have been implemented since August 2006, e.g. in US and EU.

Can I use other plastic bag other than those specified?

It is acceptable as long as the plastic bag is transparent, re-sealable and no larger than 1-litre capacity.

Where can I get such a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of the required size?

Such bags are commonly available in supermarkets and household product stores.

What if I arrive at the airport without a bag?

Such bags are readily available at supermarkets and household product stores in Hong Kong. If you arrive at the airport unprepared, then such bags can be purchased at the convenience stores and the pharmacies in the Passenger Terminal Building, T1 and T2. Please re-pack those essential LAGs you require to take with you into the aircraft cabin. All other LAGs should be re-packed into your hold bag, subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation, before you check in.

Containers

Is there a restriction on the number of containers I can put into the 1-litre plastic bag?

No. Each container however must be 100ml or less and all of them must fit “comfortably” in the 1litre plastic bag. Normally, a 1 litre plastic bag can comfortably fit five 100ml containers. Containers over 100ml with liquids and those that cannot fit into the 1litre bag will have to be discarded at the screening check point.

Do the liquids have to be in their original containers?

No. LAGs can be stored in any container as long as the size of such container does not exceed 100 ml.

Does the container need to be transparent?

No.

Can I take liquids in containers larger than 100ml?

Not in the cabin baggage. They have to be packed in your baggage that you check-in to the aircraft hold. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

I wear disposable contact lenses. Can I carry spare sets in my hand baggage?

You may carry a couple of spare pairs in your cabin baggage, provided that they can fit into a 1 litre plastic bag. The packages need to be sealed. Beyond that, you should pack in your hold baggage.

Can I take contact lens solution?

Yes. Contact lens solution must be in a container 100ml or less, packed inside your 1 litre plastic bag. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

Can I take my lipstick and deodorants on board?

Yes. You can take on board all solid cosmetics and so a standard lipstick would be acceptable as would solid deodorants. You can also take atomizer/ cream/ roll-on deodorants, lip gloss in containers up to 100ml. These will need to go in a 1 litre plastic bag. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

Do toothpaste and shaving foam qualify as LAGs?

Yes. Such items need to be in containers of not more than 100ml and placed inside your 1 litre plastic bag. Oversized containers will not be allowed past the security point and you will be asked to dispose of them.

Exemptions for medication and baby milk/food

What is the exemption for medication?

Medication in LAGs form with proof of prescriptionincluding Chinese medicine, is exempted from the 100ml requirement and there is no specific limitation on the amount. Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the flight. To facilitate the screening process, it is recommended that amounts under 100ml be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag, with other liquids. If the container is larger than 100ml, it should be presented separately to security for x-ray inspection. Passengers may be asked to provide verification for the product, such as letter from dotor or proof of prescription.

To avoid inconvenience at the security screening point, passengers should pack medication in LAGs form that is not required for the flight into the hold baggage.

My liquid medication is an "off the shelf" item bought at a pharmacy / drugstore without a doctor's prescription. Can I bring them through the security screening point?

Yes, if such liquid medication is in containers of 100ml or less and placed in your 1 litre plastic bag.

Is there a restriction on the amount of baby milk / juice / food that I can carry through the screening point?

Baby milk / juice / food in LAGs form is exempted from the 100ml requirement and there is no specific limitation on the amount. Passengers are allowed to take sufficient amount for the flight. To facilitate the screening process, it is recommended that amounts under 100ml be placed in a 1 litre plastic bag, with other liquids. If the container is larger than 100ml, it should be presented separately to security for x-ray inspection. Your accompanying baby should be present at the security screening check point.

To avoid inconvenience at the security screening point, passengers should pack the baby milk/juice/food of your accompanying baby that is not required for the flight into the hold baggage.

How about baby milk powder formula?

There is no limit on powder formula that you can bring in your hand luggage and water is available in shops after security and airlines can provide water during the flight.

What if security screening staff do not accept that the medication / baby product is a reasonable quantity?

Security screening staff have the final say regarding what items are allowed through the screening point. If the security officer decides that you are attempting to take unreasonable amounts of non-prescription medication or baby products through the screening point, you may be asked to surrender some or all of these products. If you fail to do so, you will not be allowed to proceed through the screening point.

What about diabetic passengers?

No change to existing arrangements. Diabetic passengers are allowed to carry sufficient insulin and hypodermic needles necessary for in-flight use, subject to provision of medical evidence.

Should the diabetic passengers need to bring their own dietary food in containers more than 100ml e.g. juice with no sugar added, for in-flight use, they are allowed to do so but is subject to provision of medical evidence. The exempted item should also be presented separately to security for x-ray inspection.

Can passengers bring liquid items purchased at HKIA onto their departing flight?

Yes, passengers can take liquid items purchased at shops, located beyond the security screening check points, at HKIA onto their departing flight. However, if such passengers have to transfer to another flight at the next port of call, they should check with their airlines on the requirements for carriage of liquid purchases.

Can transfer passengers bring their liquid items purchased at the airport at their previous port of call or on board aircraft through the transfer security screening point at HKIA?

Yes, if such items are in containers no larger than 100 ml and placed in a tranparent re-sealable plastic bag with maximum capacity of 1 litre .

Liquid purchases that are in excess of 100ml may be allowed through the security screening point at HKIA upon satisfactory checks if they meet the following requirements:

• purchased from airports which have implemented the new requirements on the control of liquids (passengers are advised to check with their airlines on local requirements adopted at different countries) ; or
• purchased on board Hong Kong registered aircraft (Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways and Hong Kong Airlines); or
• purchased on board non-Hong Kong registered aircraft whose previous port of call is an airport which has implemented the new requirements on the control of liquids; and
• Liquid purchases are packed in a sealed plastic bag that is both tamper-evident and display satisfactory proof of purchase on the day(s) of the journey.

Others

What do I need to do with my transparent re-sealable plastic bag?

Have it ready for inspection at security. Ensure it is fastened closed and kept separate from your hand baggage in order to facilitate security checks.

What else can I do to help speed up the process?

We recommend passengers arrive at the airport in good time. Passengers should check in their items that are not needed for in-flight and have their 1 litre plastic bag and/ or any exempted items ready for inspection.

Passengers should comply fully with the instructions of the security screening officers who have the final decision regarding what liquids, aerosols and gels that are unacceptable beyond the screening point. Those who fail to comply with the instructions will not be allowed to pass the security control point and may therefore be unable to board their flights. Proceeding past the security control point without complying fully with all security requirements is liable to police arrest and criminal prosecution.

It is the duty of the security screening officers to ensure that the Hong Kong aviation security requirements are met and that all passengers are as secure as possible. Passengers’ cooperation in complying with all security requirements will ensure safe air travel for all.

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