TSA sends liquids over 3.4 oz to your checked bag, where the FAA limits only some of them. Toiletries such as hairspray and perfume can be 500 ml (17 fl oz) a container and 2 L (68 fl oz) in all, and spirits 5 liters per person.
What’s going in the checked bag?
Checked bag rule
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The FAA’s limits
Checked bag limits per person, as of October 2026
Item
Checked bag
Toiletries and medicine the FAA restricts, sprays included
500 ml (17 fl oz) a container, 2 L (68 fl oz) in all
Alcohol, 24% or less
No FAA limit
Alcohol, over 24% up to 70%
5 L (1.3 gal), unopened retail packaging
Alcohol, over 70% (140 proof)
Not allowed
Flammable sprays that aren’t toiletries
Not allowed
The toiletry limits also allow 2 kg (70 oz) in all and 0.5 kg (18 oz) a container, by weight.
What counts as a toiletry
The FAA’s examples are hairspray, hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, inhalers, nail polish and remover. Its PackSafe chart adds that if an item doesn’t touch your body when you use it, it likely isn’t a medicinal or toiletry article.
The FAA’s rule, 49 CFR 175.10, sets the 500 ml (17 fl oz) and 2 L (68 fl oz) limits for medicinal and toilet articles that are hazardous materials, aerosols included. TSA’s pages for shampoo, toothpaste and lotion list them as allowed in checked bags with no size limit.
The chart lists only common items. If yours isn’t on it, that doesn’t mean it’s allowed, and the FAA’s advice is: when in doubt, leave it out.
Packing liquids for the hold
Put a cap on every spray nozzle, as the FAA requires, and bag anything that could leak.
Common questions
Do liquids in a checked bag need to be in a quart bag?
No, TSA's quart bag is for the carry-on checkpoint. In a checked bag, the FAA's limits on toiletries and alcohol are what apply.
Is the FAA toiletry limit per bag or per person?
The FAA's toiletry limit is per person: 2 kg (70 oz) or 2 L (68 fl oz) across all your bags, with no container over 0.5 kg (18 oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz).
Limits come from the FAA’s PackSafe chart and its rule, 49 CFR 175.10, and from TSA’s item pages. Checked against published data from TSA, FAA and US DOT (eCFR).
See all 15 sources
TSA, Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule (with its duty free exemption for inbound international flights)
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Alcoholic beverages
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Medications (Pills)
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Hair Spray
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Perfume
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Bug Repellent
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Aerosol Insecticide
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Spray Paint
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Cooking spray
FAA, PackSafe chart (printable, updated November 14, 2025): medical and toiletry articles, aerosols, alcoholic beverages, duty-free perfume
US DOT (eCFR), 49 CFR 175.10: exceptions for passengers, crewmembers and air operators
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Shampoo
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Toothpaste
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Lotion
General guidance from airline, TSA and FAA rules, checked on the date shown. Rules change, and the airline and security officers decide on the day: check your airline before you fly.