Do I have to declare Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) at United States 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 (LAGs) in United States?

Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)?

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 (LAGs) to United States 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 (LAGs) out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Allowed. The carriage limit is 100.0000 ml / 1.0000 L. 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 States limit for Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) 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?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does United States compare with other countries on Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) into United States 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

Checked baggage Allowed

Volume (ml): 0–100 ml
Total volume (l): 0–1 L

Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule | Transportation Security Administration US Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

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

Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule Transportation Security Administration

Questions about Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in United States

How much Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) can I bring into United States?: United States 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 (LAGs) at United States 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 (LAGs) in United States?: Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)?: 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 (LAGs) to United States 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 (LAGs) out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Allowed. The carriage limit is 100.0000 ml / 1.0000 L. 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 States limit for Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) 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?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does United States compare with other countries on Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United States 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