Editorial Team
Our content team
4 min read
My friend Sandra lost her favorite body lotion at airport security last week. A 200ml tube, almost empty. She figured they'd let it through because there was barely anything left. Nope. Gone in two seconds.
She's not the only one. Thousands of travelers lose their liquids in carry-on bags every year because of this exact mistake. So let's sort this out.
The Short Answer
You can bring as many bottles as fit in one 1-liter bag. There's no fixed limit on the number. According to the EU liquids rule enforced by the Bundespolizei, you just need to meet two conditions: each container is 100 ml or less, and everything fits inside a single transparent, resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter.
In practice? That's about 6 to 10 standard bottles. If you use smaller containers (30 ml or 50 ml), you can squeeze in 15 to 20 products.
You don't need an expensive bag for this, by the way. A regular zip-lock freezer bag works fine. But if you fly often, the TRAVANDO Kulturbeutel Transparent TSA-konform 1 Liter saves you from fumbling with a flimsy bag every time.
TRAVANDO Kulturbeutel Transparent TSA-konform 1 Liter
4.4
(982)
EUR 9.94
Amazon
The Mistake Almost Everyone Makes
Here's what most people get wrong. It's not about how much liquid is inside the container. It's about the size printed on the label.
A 200 ml sunscreen tube that's half-empty? Confiscated. Every single time. Sandra learned that one the hard way. And Chackpack confirms this in their breakdown of common airport mistakes. The security staff don't check fill levels. They check the number on the packaging.
If you want zero stress, pour your stuff into the Opret 4er Silikon Reiseflaschen Set 100ml before you pack. They hold exactly 100 ml, they're leakproof, and nobody's guessing at the checkpoint.
Opret 4er Silikon Reiseflaschen Set 100ml
4.1
(245)
EUR 8.99
Amazon
What Counts as a Liquid?
More than you'd think. The general rule: anything that smears, flows, or sprays.
Toothpaste, deodorant (spray and roll-on), mascara, perfume, sunscreen, hair gel, lip balm. Even honey and yogurt. I know, it sounds ridiculous. But that's how it works.
Exceptions to the Rule
Medications can fly in any quantity as long as you carry proof (prescription or doctor's note). Baby food for your traveling infant is also exempt. And duty-free purchases made after the security checkpoint? Those are fine, as long as they stay in the sealed airport bag.
Do CT Scanners Change Anything?
Not really. Even in 2026, Frankfurt Airport still recommends following the 100 ml rule. The reason is simple: you don't know in advance whether you'll end up at a CT lane or a regular screening point. So pack as if the standard rules apply.
The Solid Product Workaround
Solid products bypass the liquids rule entirely. Solid shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, solid deodorant. None of it counts as liquid. None of it goes in the bag.
I honestly didn't figure this out until a couple of years ago. Since then, I pack almost exclusively solid products. My 1-liter bag stays half empty and security takes about 30 seconds. If you travel carry-on only (Coming Soon) a lot, this is probably the single best tip I can give you.
