Do I have to declare liquids, aerosols and gels at United Kingdom customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare liquids, aerosols and gels in United Kingdom?

Under Travellers' Allowances Order 1994, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, section 167, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; the goods are confiscated.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the United Kingdom allowance for liquids, aerosols and gels?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship liquids, aerosols and gels to United Kingdom instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take liquids, aerosols and gels out of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking liquids, aerosols and gels out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry liquids, aerosols and gels in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Allowed. The carriage limit is 100.0000 ml. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the United Kingdom limit for liquids, aerosols and gels apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Liquids. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “At most airports, you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100ml through security. This still applies if the container is only part full.”

How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on liquids, aerosols and gels?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit liquids, aerosols and gels, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

How many liquids, aerosols and gels can I bring into United Kingdom?

Official classification: Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)

Restricted

You can bring liquids, aerosols and gels into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 100 milliliter

What you need to know

100 milliliter (3.38 fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

National security rule

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions

Limit depends on the departure/transfer airport; some allow up to 2 litres.

Checked baggage Allowed

Volume (ml): 0–100 ml

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Liquids - GOV.UK UK Government (GOV.UK)
Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Liquids GOV.UK - Department for Transport

Last verified Sep 19, 2026

Report a mistake with this rule

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule
British Airways	More permissive

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Liquids GOV.UK (Department for Transport)

Questions about Liquids, aerosols and gels in United Kingdom

How many liquids, aerosols and gels can I bring into United Kingdom?: United Kingdom allows 100 milliliters of Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare liquids, aerosols and gels at United Kingdom customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare liquids, aerosols and gels in United Kingdom?: Under Travellers' Allowances Order 1994, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, section 167, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; the goods are confiscated.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the United Kingdom allowance for liquids, aerosols and gels?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship liquids, aerosols and gels to United Kingdom instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take liquids, aerosols and gels out of United Kingdom?: United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking liquids, aerosols and gels out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry liquids, aerosols and gels in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Allowed. The carriage limit is 100.0000 ml. This comes from National regulator, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the United Kingdom limit for liquids, aerosols and gels apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Liquids. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “At most airports, you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100ml through security. This still applies if the container is only part full.”
How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on liquids, aerosols and gels?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit liquids, aerosols and gels, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Cargo liquids in checked baggage (Zamzam water, edible oil, liquid food) Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag Medicine and baby food/milk liquids exempted from the LAG limit Perfume and toilet water Skincare and make-up products