Whether you’re bringing your signature scent for a vacation or picking up a duty-free fragrance as a souvenir, you might be wondering: Can you carry perfume on a plane? The short answer is yes—but with some important rules to keep in mind.
TSA Guidelines for Carrying Perfume on a Plane
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) follows the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on luggage, which applies to perfume and cologne. Here’s what that means:
3: Liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.
1: All liquid containers must fit into one quart-sized, clear, resealable plastic bag.
1: Each passenger is allowed one such bag in their carry-on.
If your perfume bottle is larger than 3.4 ounces, it will need to go in your checked baggage instead.
Packing Perfume in Checked Luggage
If you’re bringing a full-size bottle of perfume, you’ll need to pack it in your checked baggage. However, glass bottles can be fragile, so follow these tips to avoid spills and breakage:
- Wrap it securely in bubble wrap or soft clothing.
- Place it in a sealed plastic bag in case of leaks.
- Pack it in the center of your suitcase, cushioned by clothes for extra protection.
Bringing Duty-Free Perfume on a Plane
One way to bypass the 3-1-1 rule is by purchasing perfume at a duty-free shop after clearing security. These stores often sell full-size bottles, which can be packed in a sealed, tamper-evident bag provided by the retailer. Keep in mind:
- You must keep the receipt and leave the bag sealed until you reach your final destination.
- If you have a connecting flight, you may need to comply with liquid rules again when re-screening through security.
How to Fly With Your Favorite Perfume
As long as your perfume is in a container of 3.4 ounces or less, you can fly with your favorite perfume.
Here are a few products we love for traveling with our favorite fragrances:
- Perfume Decanter Travel Kit
- Mini Refillable Perfume Spray Bottle Set
- Gold Perfume Travel Sprayer
- Refillable Travel Perfume With Funnel
If you don’t want to deal with decanting your perfume, Scentbird is a fun monthly subscription where you can get travel-size versions of your fragrances.
Hate traveling with liquids? We also love solid perfumes for travel, as they don’t spill or leak. Here are some of our top solid perfume picks:
More Stories to Read
- Samsonite’s Freeform 21” Carry-On is one of our favorite suitcases. Read our full review.
- We can’t travel (or sleep) without the Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones.
- Looking for a personal item to go with your suitcase? Check out our review of Carl Friedrik’s Palissy Weekend Bag.
- Want custom luggage that you can design yourself? Read our detailed review of Roam Luggage’s Carry-On Suitcase.
- Plastic travel-sized bottles have been the standard for years, but Cadence Capsule has changed the game with its beautifully designed refillable capsules. Read on for our honest review of Cadence Capsules.
- We tested out Lululemon’s trendy Everywhere Belt Bag to find out if it’s worth the money. Read our detailed review.
- After extensive research (and seeing the backpack on many fashionable travelers and commuters), I settled on the Dagne Dover Neoprene Backpack as my go-to personal item for flying. Read on for my honest review.