The European Union has confirmed it's reintroducing strict liquid limits for holidaymakers, so it’s best to brush up on what is and isn’t classified before it’s too late.
On 1 September, all plane passengers jetting off from European airports will be prohibited from carrying liquids in their hand luggage that exceed a 100ml limit.
Moreover, the combined liquid total must be less than one litre and all items should be placed inside a separate resealable pouch. Sounds simple, right?
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Unfortunately, while the EU is heralding uniformity regarding liquid limits, there is still no universal list of what actually constitutes a liquid.
In an effort to clear up any confusion, Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com has tasked 10 of the UK’s busiest airports with defining which toiletries they deem to be liquids.
Toiletry items always treated as liquids by airport security
Shaving foam, shower gel and toothpaste are always considered liquid items, as per official government guidelines.
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Hair products such as gel, shampoo and hair spray also fall into this category alongside make-up bag essentials such as lip gloss and mascara.
Perfumes, oils and spray deodorants are also items that can only be carried in 100ml bottles as well as oils, lotions and creams.
If you’re planning to pack any of these products in your hand luggage, make sure they’re placed in a transparent pouch and scanned separately from your bag.
The see-through purse should be resealable and roughly measure 20cm x 20cm.
Toiletry items that vary in liquid classification
While airports such as Manchester, Birmingham and London Gatwick are unified when it comes to some liquids, this isn’t the case for all.
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Some claim you need to abide by the 100ml liquid limits when packing your solid deodorants while others claim lipsticks are a free pass.
Below, we’ve outlined some of the make-up items dividing some of the UK’s major aerodromes.
Petroleum jelly
Seven of the busiest airports in the UK didn’t specify whether they’d class petroleum jellies such as Vaseline as liquids.
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However, representatives of Birmingham, Bristol and London Heathrow airports say that these tubs do classify.
So, if you’re taking a little tin on your European jaunt? Well, you’ve been warned.
Lipsticks
Three airports in the UK claim lipstick is a liquid and will need to be packed separately from your travel bag.
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These are Birmingham, Edinburgh and London Luton Airport.
When asked, Bristol, Manchester, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow argued against the ruling, while two failed to comment.
Solid perfume and deodorants
Luton airport confirmed to MoneySavingExpert.com that it deems solid deodorants and perfumes as liquids.
Gatwick and Heathrow stated their customers wouldn’t have to worry about bringing either through security, while Stansted and Manchester only stated their positive stance on solid deodorants.
Liquid and pencil eye/lip liners
It’s in the name, but Bristol, Gatwick and Heathrow representatives have confirmed that they deem liquid eyeliners and lipliners as having to adhere to the 100ml rule.
But the good news is that kohl wearers can bring multiple pencils in their hand luggage if they’re jetting off from Bristol, Gatwick, Heathrow or Manchester.
This is because neither of the four major airports class pencil liners as liquids.
Other toiletry items not deemed as a liquid
It’s stated that nail polish remover wipes don’t fall into the category of liquids, as per Bristol, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester.
Moreover, representatives from Bristol and Gatwick claim loose and compacted powder compacts aren’t classed either.
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What other rule is the EU implementing on hand luggage?
As well as the new universal liquid legislation, the EU is standardising the dimensions of carry-on luggage.
New regulations state that from 1 September, passengers will be allowed to bring one cabin bag, weighing no more than 10kg, and a single small personal item onboard a plane.
These personal items include handbags and laptop cases.
The maximum dimensions of hand luggage (including handles and wheels) are set to be 55cm x 40cm x 20 while the small personal item should be 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.
Topics: Plane Etiquette, Travel, UK News, Make-Up, Beauty, Holiday
Ella Scott