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Published: 8 October 2026
What Can You Take in Your Hand Luggage Through UK Airport Security?
Airport security rules should be simple: don’t take anything dangerous onto a plane. In reality, working out exactly what you can put in your hand luggage can be surprisingly confusing.
Can you take a 500ml bottle of water through security? What about a power bank, razor, scissors, food or a cigarette lighter? And why can you now take two litres of liquid through security at some UK airports while others still restrict you to 100ml containers?
The rules have become particularly confusing as UK airports upgrade their security scanners. Some airports have relaxed the traditional 100ml liquids restriction, while others still require passengers to follow it.
In this guide, we explain what you can and cannot take through UK airport security, including the latest rules for liquids, food, batteries, vapes and other everyday items – plus some of our tips for getting through security with the minimum of fuss.
These are the rules for departing from UK airports. Your airline may impose additional restrictions, and airports overseas can have different security rules, so remember to check the requirements for your return journey too
At a Glance
| Item | Hand luggage? | Key restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Liquids | ✅ | 100ml at most airports; up to 2 litres at some |
| Food | ✅ | Some foods count as liquids |
| Power banks | ✅ | Cabin only; maximum two |
| Vapes/e-cigarettes | ✅ | Cabin only |
| Small scissors | ✅ | Blades no longer than 6cm |
| Disposable cartridge razors | ✅ | Allowed |
| Knitting/sewing needles | ✅ | Allowed |
| Corkscrews | ❌ | Hold luggage |
| Large/sharp scissors | ❌ | Hold luggage |
| Sports bats/clubs | ❌ | Hold luggage |
| Fireworks | ❌ | Not permitted |
There are exceptions and additional restrictions, which we explain below.
Liquids
UK airports where the 100ml liquids rule still applies
The general rule is that you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100ml through security. This still applies if the container is only part full.
- Liquid containers must be placed in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag holding no more than a litre and measuring approximately 20cm x 20cm.
- Liquids include drinks, semi-liquid foods (eg soup, jam, honey, peanut butter etc), pastes (eg toothpaste), contact lens solution, creams, perfumes and gels.
- Cigarette lighters are also classed as liquids – one lighter can be taken on board in hand luggage and should be put inside a resealable plastic bag
- Frozen liquids are not allowed
UK airports allowing liquids up to 2 litres
Some UK airports have upgraded their security screening technology. This means that passengers are now allowed to take up to 2 litres of liquid through security as long as the liquid is not in a metal or double-walled container. In addition, liquids no longer need to be separated from the rest of the hand luggage contents.
When this article was written, the following UK airports allowed passengers to take liquids in containers of up to two litres through security…
- Belfast International
- Belfast City
- Birmingham
- Bournemouth
- Bristol
- Edinburgh
- London Gatwick (both terminals)
- London Heathrow (all terminals)
Flying back to the UK? The rules at your destination airport may be different. Being allowed to take a two-litre bottle through security at Heathrow doesn’t mean you’ll be allowed to bring the same bottle through security for your return flight.
Liquids – exemptions
You can take liquid containers from 100ml to 2 litres through security at all UK airports if they:
- are for essential medical purposes (requires proof, eg prescription)
- are for special dietary requirements
- contain baby food or baby milk
You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (such as duty free) through security if:
- the items are still inside a security bag that was sealed at the place where they were sold
- the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible
Power Banks
Power banks must be carried in your hand luggage and must never be placed in a checked bag.
You can take a maximum of two power banks per person and must not recharge the power bank during the flight. Some airlines also require power banks to be kept somewhere accessible rather than in an overhead locker, so check your airline’s individual rules.
As a general guide:
- Under 100Wh – permitted
- 100Wh–160Wh – airline approval required
- Over 160Wh – prohibited from passenger baggage
If your cabin bag is taken from you at the gate and put in the hold, remember to remove any power banks and spare lithium batteries first.
Food
Most solid food can go through UK airport security, but remember that some foods are treated as liquids. Jam, honey, soup and other liquid or semi-liquid foods are therefore subject to the airport’s liquids rules.
Wrapping home-prepared food in tin-foil is perhaps not the smartest idea – on the way to a family holiday in Corfu, my mother-in-law was incensed when she was asked to empty her hand luggage after her cheese & pickle sandwiches triggered the scanner…
Remember that some countries have restrictions on what food items they allow in so check the rules at your destination if you are not going to consume everything before arrival.
Other items
| Item | Hand luggage | Checked luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Small scissors, blades ≤6cm |  | |
| Disposable cartridge razors | | |
| Nail clippers | | |
| Knitting/sewing needles | | |
| Umbrellas | | |
| Walking sticks | | |
| Vapes/e-cigarettes | |  |
| Power banks | | |
| Corkscrews | | |
| Knives | | * |
| Scissors >6cm | | |
| Darts | | |
| Golf clubs/bats | | |
| Most hand tools | | |
| Fireworks/explosives | | |
This is not an exhaustive list, clearly you need to use common sense. The gov.uk warns that “Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous – even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage”.
Tips for a slick airport security experience
- If you travel a lot, buy a wheelie case with a zipped side pocket so you can easily remove laptops and liquids without having to open your bag
- Buy a reusable, proper zip-up clear bag for your small liquid items.
- Maximise the amount of clothing you can take in your hand luggage by using a vacuum pump such as Vacbird.
- Buy snacks before you get to the airport and avoid the heavy mark-ups from the likes of Boots and WH Smith.
- Take an empty, refillable water bottle in your hand luggage. Most airports have water fountains after security.
- Download your boarding pass on your phone, much less hassle than having to look for a printed document & most phones show current passes on the homescreen.
- Don’t wear boots, in Europe we are not as hot as he US on removing shoes when going through airport security, but wearing boots will likely result in you being asked to take them off for separate scanning.
- Stow your keys, coins and watch in a zipped pocked in your jacket or coat while you go through security. It keeps everything in one place.
- Consider fast-track security, it will save time as there are fewer people in the queue and experienced frequent flyers generally pass through quicker.
Before you pack your hand luggage
Airport security rules cover an enormous range of items, so no guide can realistically list everything you might want to take on a plane. Ultimately, security staff can refuse any item they consider dangerous, even if it would normally be permitted.
If you’re unsure about an unusual item, check the official UK airport security guidance and the rules of both your departure airport and airline before travelling rather than simply assuming it will be allowed.
Remember that getting something through airport security doesn’t necessarily mean your airline will allow it on board. Airlines have their own cabin baggage size and weight limits and may impose additional restrictions on batteries and other items.
Remember, these are UK security rules. Check the rules at any connecting airport and your departure airport for the journey home, particularly for liquids.
