At The Airport

EU Liquids Regulations - Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best advice to get me through security screening as smoothly as possible?
Pack all liquids into checked-in luggage.  This will ensure a smooth journey through the passenger security screening area.

What do you mean by liquid?
Some things are evidently liquid, like drinks and perfume.  Others are less obvious, like gels, pastes, lotions, mixture of liquids and solids and the contents of aerosols.  Some examples of these are toothpastes, hair gels, face creams, liquid cosmetics, lip-gloss, deodorants, perfumes and shaving foam.

Even bottles of water?
Yes, even water that is in a container over 100ml is not permitted through security.

Can I bring my medication on board the aircraft?
Yes, passengers are allowed to bring essential medication and dietary requirements in liquid form through the screening points in the quantities needed during their trip.Passengers may be required to demonstrate that what they are carrying is real and for genuine purposes, and not something less innocent.

Can I bring baby food/milk through security?
Yes, baby food or food for people on special diets is exempt from the new regulations.  Passengers are allowed to bring these items through the screening points in the quantities needed during their trip.Passengers may be required to demonstrate that what they are carrying is real and for genuine use and not something less innocent.

What are the limits?
Only liquids in containers of 100ml or less, fitting comfortably into a one litre transparent plastic bag (approximately 20cm x 20cm) when fully closed, are permitted.  This transparent bag, with containers of 100ml should then be presented at the passenger security screening area.

Can I bring my own transparent plastic bag from home?
Yes, we strongly encourage you to do so.  The bag must be transparent, re-sealable and approximately 20cm x 20cm. These bags are available at most local supermarkets and bags can also be purchased from vending machines in Dublin Airport. The bags are regulation size and can be bought for €1 (for two bags) at convenient locations throughout the Departures floor at Dublin Airport. The plastic packaging of the bag container is also fully recyclable.

Can I take my contact lens solution?
Contact lens solution should be packed into checked in luggage.  If you must carry lens solution in your hand luggage it should be in a container, not more than 100mls and presented in a one litre transparent bag at the passenger security screening point.

Can I bring my cough medicine or nose spray in my hand luggage?
Yes, provided these items are in containers not more than 100mls and presented in a one litre transparent bag separately at the passenger security screening point.   If these items are not essential for use during your flight we strongly recommend that you pack them into your checked in luggage.

What about passengers that need medicines, dietary foods or baby food in liquid form?
The EU aviation security regulations allow some exemptions to the restrictions. These include essential medicines and dietary requirements in liquid form, for example baby-food or food for people on special diets.  Passengers are allowed to bring these items to the screening points in the quantities that they need during their trip.However, as a safeguard, passengers may be required to demonstrate that the product is real medicine or special food, and not something less innocent.

Can I still buy liquids, cosmetics or other substances covered by the regulations in the airport shops beyond the passenger security points, and take these on board the aircraft?
You can still buy liquids and other substances covered by the regulations, in containers of any size, after the security screening point and on board European airline flights. Liquids and gels purchased after the security screening point or on board your flight will be packed and sealed for you in a tamper-evident bag as necessary by the shop or cabin personnel.

Can I buy products e.g. deodorant, shampoo perfume over 100mls in the Travel Value shopping area?
Yes you can. These products will be packed and sealed for you in a tamper-evident bag as necessary by the shop personnel.

Does this restriction apply to certain flights only?
The restriction applies to all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of final destination.

What about transferring passengers?
If the first flight begins at an airport in the EU and items have been purchased beyond the passenger security points, these liquids will be placed in a tamper evident bag and therefore will conform to the regulations.  Therefore passengers can take these liquids on-board their second flight, as long as the items are still packed in tamper-evident bags. If the first flight originates in a country outside the EU the items will not conform to the new regulations, as they will not have been placed in tamper evident bags. Transferring passengers will then be subject to these new EU security regulations when they transfer through an EU airport.

Is the Dublin Airport Authority alone in introducing these new restrictions?
No, this is an EU Regulation (EC NO 1546/2006) adopted by the European Commission responsible for Aviation Security.  These rules have come into effect at all EU member state airports.

What happens if I have liquids of over 100mls going through the passenger security screening point?
Under the new EU aviation security regulations containers of over 100mls cannot be taken through the passenger security screening area and will be taken from passengers at that point.

If I am travelling on a day trip i.e. departing early morning, arriving back later that day, and I purchase items e.g. perfume, cosmetics etc. over 100mls can I carry this through security on my return trip?
Yes, provided they are still intact in the tamper-evident bag containing the receipt.   This practice will be accepted at all EU airports.