With warmer weather on the way, you might be planning your next summer holiday overseas. But if you’re planning on flying anywhere you need to be aware of the rules for your baggage – and the lesser-known items that could cause you trouble at security.
The usual rules of liquids are pretty well known – nothing more than 100mls can be carried in your hand luggage. But did you know this can include food too? If you’ve got an Easter holiday planned then one Easter classic could see you stopped at security. Travel expert Simon Calder said that even Creme Eggs can be classified as a liquid and get confiscated.
He said: “All weapons, whether firearms, knives or explosives, are banned from hand luggage. But there are also strict rules about larger quantities of liquids, aerosols, gels, pastes, lotions and cosmetics, extending even to yoghurt, soft cheese and Creme Eggs.”
If you’re bringing liquids abroad they all need to be below 100mls, in a single clear resealable plastic bag. The bag cannot be knotted at the top,and you must show it to security on your way through.
These security laws were introduced as a temporary measure in 2006 after a thwarted terrorist attack planned to create a bomb on board a plane using liquids carried in by the perpetrators. However, almost a decade on, the temporary laws remain in place across many airports, despite efforts to bring in more advanced screening technology.
In 2019 Boris Johnson promised to ease the rules by 2022 to eliminate the need to have liquids scanned, and to allow passengers to bring greater quantities with them. Rishi Sunak then extended the deadline to 1 June 2024, The Independent reports.
Now, in 2025, some airports have the tech but others are still behind the times.
Skycanner reports that at several airports across the UK with new scanners, liquids can be left in luggage.
These are:
However at East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow, Manchester, Southampton and Stanstead, the old ways are still in force.
