Powders, liquids, aerosols & gels
To protect you from the threat of liquid explosives, the Australian Government has a few rules for taking powders, liquids, aerosols and gels within your carry-on baggage on flights in and out of Australia.
Domestic flights
Flights within Australia are not subject to restrictions on how much liquid, aerosols and gels you can carry onboard.
International flights
Quantity restrictions
There are restrictions on the quantity of powders, liquids, aerosols and gels you may carry, including duty free liquids, aerosols and gels. These restrictions do not apply to your checked baggage carried in the hold of the aircraft.
What are they?
Powder - fine 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
Gel - jelly-like substance
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/350gm or less. The total must not exceed 350ml/350gm per person.
Liquid, aerosol or gel items must be in containers of 100ml/100gm or less. The items must be placed in a 20cm x 20cm zip lock bag.
Only one zip lock 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.
We provide plastic bags at international security screening points to help make the screening process as easy as possible, however we recommend you prepare these items before arriving at the airport.
For further details about powders, liquid, aerosol and gel restrictions, and how they need to be presented at the screening point, can be found at theAustralian Government’s Travel Secure website.
Items purchased from an off-airport duty free shop
It is recommended that duty free powders, liquid, aerosol or gel items purchased from a duty free shop not at Perth Airport be placed in your checked baggage. Goods must be in a sealed bag and have the accompanying receipt provided at time of purchase alongside them.
Alternatively, you can present the items at the screening point to undergo security screening. In both cases, you must have the receipt ready for inspection as you proceed through passport control and the security screening point. If the screening process clears the items, you will be able to take them on board your flight. If the screening process does not clear the items, you will be asked to surrender them.
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 powered foods, coffee, protein powder and powdered baby formula.