Can you bring perfume on a plane? Let's talk about checked and carry-on luggage

Bringing perfume on an airplane? Will the TSA allow it or ask you to remove the item from your luggage?

These questions bother people a lot when carrying perfumes and other liquids. To give you a short answer, yes, you can take them on flights. However, how much perfume you can bring is restricted by the TSA.

So, what's the rule for bringing perfumes on a plane? Is there a specific quantity? Do you need to pay a duty tax? And should you use fragrance on an airplane?

We'll answer all these and more in my guide to bringing perfumes on a plane. Take a look. 

Is It Allowed to Bring Perfume on A Plane?

So, can you take perfume on a plane? The TSA allows perfumes and colognes onto airplanes, both in your luggage and hand carry.

However, there are some indications on how much perfume you can carry. Normally, any amount of perfume is okay. Still, there is a limit on how much you can get in your carry-on baggage.

You can only bring under 3.4 ounces in your baggage, and it should be in a toiletries bag of 1 quart. This severely limits the amount of perfume you can carry.

If you can get those duty-free perfumes available at the airport, you can bring them separately. It doesn't cost you unless you buy it in bulk. And you can carry it outside of your carry-on too.

What Size of Perfume Can I Take on A Plane?

Since cologne is pretty much like any other liquid, regular rules for liquids apply. TSA rules dictate that you can bring as many bottles as you want. However, this is only for checked luggage.

You can only bring a perfume bottle under 3.4 ounces for your carry-on baggage. And you can only bring it in your toiletries bag.

Restrictions become even more strict when you realize that you can only carry one plastic bag. So, you have a 1-quart toiletries bag to keep your perfumes, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.

However, bringing too many cologne bottles may indicate a duty tax. In addition, international flights usually require a duty tax on too much perfume, even if it's duty-free.

Bringing Perfume In Your Carry-On Bag:

Can I bring perfume in my carry-on? Yes, you can. Liquid perfume is like any other liquid and is allowed by the TSA in carry-on bags. However, the TSA imposes specific rules to regulate the amount of cologne you bring.

The rule by the TSA is the 3-1-1 rule. It goes as follows:

●     You can only bring perfume bottles under 3.4 ounces (100 ml).

●     Your perfume bottles and other liquids and toiletries must be inside a 1-quart toiletries bag.

●     You can only bring one plastic bag per individual.

How much ml of perfume is allowed in hand luggage?

The TSA requires you to only carry bottle perfumes under 3.4 ounces (100 ml).

Luckily, most perfume bottles don't even come close to that limit. So, you're more or less safe. However, the second and third rules are what you should be wary of.

You can only bring one toiletries bag, which must have a capacity of 1 quart. This means you must fit in your perfume bottles and other essentials like shampoo and conditioner. You can fit up to 6 or 7 toiletries in that bag at best. So, pack generously and wisely.

How To Pack Perfume in Luggage:

Packing your cologne the right way is crucial when boarding any flight. If the perfume spills, it will not only stain your clothes and other items but also leave an unpleasant smell. The bottle can easily break as the luggage handlers are notorious for tossing your bags around.

So how do you pack fragrances in your luggage and carry-on? The best choice is to avoid taking any glass bottles and buy perfume in plastic bottles instead. If you're going on a short trip, you can even buy refillable cologne sample bottles that are compact and plastic.

But if you do have a glass bottle, then here's how to pack it properly:

●     First things first, make sure that the bottle is perfectly sealed. This means tightening the nozzle and closing the cap. Another way to seal the perfume bottle is to wrap it around the cap with cellophane.

●     Then, you can keep your scent bottle in a ziplock bag. Store the bottle in 2 ziplock bags for additional safety. Ensure you suck out all the air from the ziplock bags to ensure an airtight seal.

●     To prevent the bottle from breaking, wrap it up in clothes or other soft objects. You can also use bubble wrap to ensure that the bottle doesn't break. Do not place it near the walls of the suitcase or the top or bottom as it will come in direct contact with hard objects.

Can I take unopened perfume on a plane?

Yes, as long as it follows the guidelines.

How To Pack Perfume in Carry-On:

It's highly recommended to make cologne with you on your carry-on baggage. Perfumes getting stolen from luggage checkouts is pretty common.

Additionally, fragrances, especially those in glass bottles, are broken. Luggage is very often mishandled and thrown around by the baggage handlers. Therefore, you must not keep your perfumes in the luggage.

When packing perfume for your carry-on, the recommendations are the same. However, here you can't use two ziplock bags. So, use one to pack all your toiletries in and then wrap it in some cloth or other soft object.

Avoid placing it near the walls of the bag or near other hard objects. And don't toss your bag around too much. 

Are Perfumes Aerosol?

Surprisingly, despite most colognes being in the form of an aerosol spray, they are not aerosols. Aerosols are solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. Things like smoke and sea spray are aerosols.

Since perfumes aren't aerosols, they are allowed by the TSA in carry-on baggage and checked baggage. However, there are certain limits, such as the size of the bottle and how much you can take.

Can You Use Perfumes on A Plane?

Does TSA allow the perfume to be used on a plane? While you can use perfumes on a plane, it's advised not to. And there are many reasons.

Firstly, the smell of cologne can be irritating for some people. This is especially true if you have some unique perfume that contains a scent that not everyone might like.

Just because you like the smell doesn't mean everyone will. And if they're going to be with you on a long flight that will last hours, the scent can be irritating.

Secondly, many people are allergic to certain kinds of scents. It's similar to why you shouldn't open a bag of peanuts on an airplane. The allergens can travel around the plane and can, at best, cause sneezing and, at worst, lead to asthma.

And it's not about applying the perfume on the plane. You shouldn't use the perfume even before boarding the flight. Although it's not illegal, you don't want to bother other people. And the flight attendant may advise you against it too.  

If you need to touch upon a flight, use the bathroom and let the air circulate the perfume. So, you don't come out with a very saturated perfume smell.

Which Perfumes Are Suitable for Use on Flights?

Although you should not use fragrances in-flight, some people still like to touch up. In that case, certain scents may be more bearable to others.

It's better to discuss the ones that aren't bearable. You should avoid chemical fragrances such as those containing phthalates.

These can induce headaches and are not good for you either. Look for phthalate-free perfumes and pretty much free from any other harmful chemicals.

Additionally, avoid citrus scents. Citrus is present in almost every perfume nowadays. But you can make sure the citrus part of the scent won't be active during your flight.

For instance, if citrus is part of the heart notes of your perfume, consider applying it on a short flight. In this way, only the top notes ever reach the other passengers.

Similarly, if citrus is part of the top notes, consider applying the fragrance beforehand, so it transitions to the heart or base notes.

Can you bring cologne on a plane?

Yes. The concentration of the cologne doesn't matter. But a thinner sillage would be better as the fragrance won't linger for long.

Can You Bring Duty-Free Perfume on A Plane?

You can easily find duty-free perfume at any airport. You can buy it at cheap rates, and you don't even have to pay a duty on it.

Duty-free fragrances is great as it doesn't require you to follow the 3-1-1 rule. If you buy perfume from a duty-free shop at the airport, then you can even carry it separately from your carry-on.

However, keep in mind that this is only the case for connecting flights. If you buy a duty-free perfume for your first flight, you'll need to check it in for your second flight. And that's not possible if the bags are automatically being transferred for checking.

Additionally, always get a receipt for the duty-free perfume and have it on your person. The airlines will ask for it before you enter the flight.

Conclusion:

Carrying fragrances on your flight is something that everyone wants to do. After all, who doesn't like to smell fresh? But can you bring perfume on a plane with checked luggage? While the TSA does allow colognes on flights, there are specific guidelines that you should follow.

To conclude, remember the 3-1-1 rule when carrying perfumes on your carry-on. You can bring as much perfume as you like in your luggage as you pack it right. And don't use cologne on the airplane - it can be detrimental to other people's health.

We hope you know the rules and regulations surrounding bringing perfumes on planes and the recommendations.