Can I Bring Perfume on a Plane?

Can I Bring Perfume on a Plane featured photo

I love traveling. Whether it’s local or international travel, I make sure to grab the opportunity to travel whenever one is presented to me.

I’m also a rule follower with some expensive skincare products. One of the worst things I can imagine is I packed something that couldn’t get past airport security and I have to ditch because there’s no time to check it.

If you’re going on vacation, of course, you’d also want to smell your best, on top of looking your best. Can you bring perfume on a plane?

The short answer is yes, you can bring your favorite perfume while traveling on a plane! While airlines allow you to travel with a bottle of your favorite perfume, this comes with rules and restrictions you should follow, particularly the size of the bottle. 

TSA Rules on Perfumes and Colognes: How Much Perfume Can I Bring?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) states in their official website the exact guidelines travelers must follow concerning liquids like perfumes and colognes.

TSA permits passengers to bring and carry perfumes and colognes both in carry-on and checked baggage. Be sure to check these every now and then. They tend to change their rules occasionally.

Different guidelines exist for the two baggage options. We will be detailing each one right below.

Bringing perfume in carry-on bag

For bringing perfumes and colognes in your carry-on baggage, the TSA 3-1-1 rule on liquids apply.

The 3-1-1 rule basically means travelers can carry perfumes and colognes in containers less than, equal to, and no more than 3.4 oz (100ml). Anything more than that specified container should be in your checked baggage, not your toiletries bag.

In addition to specific bottle sizes, any bottles of perfume have to be placed inside a 1 quart-size clear plastic bag. All other toiletries and carry-on liquids like gels, creams, shampoo, shower gel and other liquids must also be stored inside that one quart-size bag.

Each passenger is only allowed 1 of this bag in their carry-on baggage.

If you’re wondering if a 3.4 oz bottle of perfume is enough for your vacation, we’re here to tell you that’s more than enough for a single trip! And many brands have small sample sizes that don’t exceed this limit, making them perfect for traveling.

If your perfume bottle is more than this limit, you can always buy travel-friendly perfume bottles.

Bringing perfume in checked baggage

If the perfume you packed to bring with you exceeds the limited carry-on size of 3.4 oz, you would have to pack it in your checked luggage instead.

While packing your perfume and cologne in your checked bag has more leeway, there are still guidelines to follow.

TSA also specifies this rule in their website.

For checked baggage, an individual can have up to 70 oz or 2 liters of liquid toiletries, including perfume. Each container also has a limit of less than 18 oz or 500ml. Anything more than that cannot pass through TSA officers and will not be allowed in your checked baggage.

The good thing is, most perfume bottles are sold in bottles smaller than this limit so you shouldn’t have any issues.

It’s important to keep in mind though that this total limit per person includes all other toiletries that are liquid, including gel, body wash, shampoo, creams, nail polish and remover, and others.

Is it the same for domestic and international flights?

It doesn’t matter if you’re flying a domestic or an international flight, TSA rules apply all the same. If you aren’t sure, you can always check the guidelines from your specific airline.

How to Pack Perfume for Air Travel?

As a general guideline and as advised by the TSA, packed aerosol devices (both in carry-on and checked baggage) should be protected with caps to prevent accidental release in transport.

Carry-on bags

If you want to pack your perfume in your carry-on baggage, you can keep them in their original bottle if it doesn’t exceed the 3.4 oz limit. It would be best if the size is written on the bottle to make your case. But for sample size bottles that are obviously less than the limit, there isn’t a need for this.

You can also get a travel-friendly perfume bottle or perfume atomizer off of Amazon to lessen your worries.

Checked bags

As we all know, checked baggage goes through a lot of throwing and moving around and perfume bottles are at a risk of leaking, but packing it the right way can lessen these risks.

You want to place your perfume bottle in a zip-lock bag to prevent any leaking. You can wrap the bottle in soft clothes or even bubble wrap. You don’t want to place it beside the wall of your suitcase. Instead, place it with even more soft clothes around so it doesn’t move around.

What About Duty-Free Perfumes and Colognes?

Perfumes and colognes purchased in a Duty-Free shop inside the airport are exempt from the TSA 3-1-1 rule as you’ve already passed security by this point.

This means you can purchase and bring into the flight a perfume bottle exceeding the 3.4 oz usual limit. As long as it’s apparent the item is packed by the retailer in a tamper-evident bag, you’re good to go. You also need the receipt of purchase with you, showing it’s been purchased within the last 48 hours.

You also don’t need to fit the Duty-Free perfume in your carry-on bag as taking perfume to your flight in its original bag is usually allowed.

Air Traveling with Perfumes and Colognes: Keep These in Mind

While you can bring and use perfume during the flight, you might want to reconsider doing so. Some people are sensitive to fragrances and spraying perfume inside an enclosed space like in a plane can be rather annoying for fellow passengers.

It’s also common courtesy to avoid wearing perfume after getting off a plane as this can still come off strong and uncomfortable for those that are sensitive or allergic to fragrance.

Conclusion

If you’re going on a vacation to your dream destination, you’d also want to smell your best on top of looking your best.

You can bring perfume – with some rules and restrictions to keep in mind!

For carry-on baggage, the TSA has the 3-1-1 rule. This means you can carry perfume in no more than 3.4 oz. This bottle should be stored inside a single quart-sized bag, with each person allowed only one of this bag.

Anything more than that should be packed in your checked baggage. Packing perfume in your checked baggage has more leeway, but still follows rules and restrictions.

Each passenger is allowed up to 70 oz (2 liters) of liquid toiletries. Each container is limited to less than 18 oz (500ml).

Perfumes and colognes bought in Duty-Free stores are exempt from the TSA 3-1-1 rule, so long as they’re packed in their original tamper-evident bag and you have the receipt showing it’s been purchased within the last 48 hours.

If you’re looking for a new scent to carry with you, check out these Tom Ford perfumes and Dior perfumes for something luxurious.