POWDERS, LIQUIDS,
AEROSOLS AND GELS
What are they?
• Powder - ne dry particles (may also come in clumpy,
grain, or compressed forms).
• Liquid - a substance that is a liquid when at room
temperature;
• Aerosol - a substance kept in a container under
pressure; or
• Gel - jelly-like substance.
Examples include:
• Liquid based food or beverages such as jams,
spreads, sauces, soups, oils and soft drink.
• Toiletries or cosmetics such as perfumes, makeup,
sunscreen, toothpaste, deodorant, hairspray, shaving
foam or hand sanitiser.
• Items such as salt, talcum powder, washing powder
and sand.
Some tips…
Some items may not be obvious, such as snow
domes or toys and souvenirs with sand, granular
material or liquid inside. If you are unsure if an item will
pass screening, pack it in your checked baggage.
Empty containers such as flasks or water bottles with
a volume greater than 100ml can be carried through
the screening point.
At many airports you will be able to purchase drinks
and duty free items after you have passed through the
screening point.
Travelling with
POWDERS,
LIQUIDS,
AEROSOLS
AND GELS
on international flights
Australia restricts the quantity of liquids,
aerosols, gels and certain powders you
can carry on board international flights.
These restrictions apply when:
• leaving Australia
• transiting through Australia to another country
• travelling on the domestic leg of a ight departing from
an Australian international terminal
For more information visit
TravelSECURE.homeaffairs.gov.au
AUSTRALIAN RESTRICTIONS
18/02184
How much can I take on board?
• Organic powders (e.g food, powdered baby formula,
coffee, sugar) are not restricted, but must be separated
from the rest of your carry-on baggage for X-ray
screening.
• Inorganic powders (e.g. salt, sand, talcum powder)
must be in containers of 350ml (volume), 350gm (weight)
or less. The total must not exceed 350ml, 350gm per
person.
• Liquid, aerosol or gel items must be in containers of
100ml (volume), 100gm (weight) or less. These items
must be placed in a 20cm x 20cm zip lock bag.
• Only one bag is allowed per passenger, with exceptions
for carers who may carry the bag/s for people in their
care, including children.
• Empty containers such as flasks or water bottles may be
carried through the screening point.
Limits are strictly applied. Security screening officers have
the final say about what you can take on board.
Exemptions
Reasonable amounts of baby products, prescription and
non-prescription medicines (including special dietary
products), and medical items required during a flight are
exempt. For medicines and medical items, you will need to
present these items along with proof (e.g. doctor’s letter) at
the screening point. Cremated remains are also exempt.
All organic powders are exempt. This includes most
powdered foods, coffee, protein powder and powdered
baby formula.
PREPARING
FOR TRAVEL
Before checking in
1. PICK the powder, liquid, aerosol and gel items you
need to pack in your carry-on baggage carefully.
Any restricted items over the quantity limits will
need to be packed in your checked baggage or
left behind.
3. PRESENT all powder, liquid, aerosol and gel items
to security screening staff.
Duty free purchases of powder, liquid, aerosol or gel
items must also be presented to screening staff at
this point.
2. PACK the liquid, aerosol
and gel items in a
transparent, resealable
plastic bag. Four sides of
the bag’s sealed area must
add up to no more than
80cms (e.g. 20x20cm or
15x25cm). The items should
fit comfortably in the bag.
Only one bag per person
is allowed.
Powder items are to
be kept separate from
the liquid, aerosol and
gel bag.
4. SURRENDER any over-sized powder, liquid,
aerosol or gel items to screening staff.
PREPARING FOR
SECURITY SCREENING
At the security screening point
Partially lled liquids containers larger than
100ml or 100gm will not be allowed through
the security screening point. For example,
a 200gm toothpaste tube that is half-full will
not be permitted.
Partially lled powders containers larger
than 350ml or 350gm will not be allowed
through the security screening point.
For example, a 500gm container of washing
powder that is half-full will not be permitted.
