At Birmingham Airport, passengers can take liquids, gels and pastes in hand luggage in individual containers of up to 2 litres. You do not need to put them in a separate clear plastic bag, and they should stay inside your cabin bag at the security search point. This includes toiletries, drinks and many liquid or semi-liquid foods.
That is a significant change from the familiar 100ml rule still used at many UK airports. Birmingham Airport’s current security guidance reflects its upgraded screening process, but the airport you depart from controls the rule. If you have a return or connecting flight elsewhere, check that airport’s requirements separately before packing.
Quick answer: Birmingham Airport liquid allowance
| Question | Current guidance at Birmingham Airport |
|---|---|
| Maximum size of each liquid container | Up to 2 litres |
| Number of liquid containers | No stated limit, provided each container is no larger than 2 litres |
| Clear plastic liquids bag | Not required |
| Take liquids out of hand luggage? | No — leave them in your bag for screening |
| Take laptops and tablets out? | No — leave electrical items in your hand luggage |
| Insulated flask or vacuum bottle | Empty it before security; refill it after security |
What counts as a liquid at BHX?
Airport security uses a broad definition of “liquid”. It covers obvious items such as water, soft drinks, perfume and shampoo, but also gels, sprays, creams, pastes and liquid-solid mixtures. In practical terms, assume that anything which can be poured, sprayed, squeezed or spread falls within the liquids guidance.
- Water, juice, soft drinks, soups and syrups
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and hair gel
- Toothpaste, creams, lotions, oils and Vaseline
- Perfume, aftershave, aerosol deodorant and shaving foam
- Mascara, liquid foundation, lip gloss and similar make-up
- Honey, jam, sauces and other spreadable or semi-liquid food
- Over-the-counter liquid medicines, creams and cough remedies
Each container must have a capacity of no more than 2 litres. A partly used container that is designed to hold more than 2 litres should therefore be packed in checked baggage rather than taken to security.
Do you still need a clear plastic bag for liquids?
No. Birmingham Airport says liquids, pastes and gels can remain loose inside your hand luggage; there is no requirement to place them in the traditional one-litre transparent bag. You also do not need to remove them at the tray-loading point.
This does not mean every item will automatically pass without a closer look. Security officers can still ask to inspect or test any item, and they may carry out additional checks where an image is unclear. Pack your cabin bag so that it can be searched without causing unnecessary delay.
Can you take a full water bottle through Birmingham Airport security?
Usually, yes — provided the bottle itself holds no more than 2 litres and is not an insulated or vacuum-style container. A standard reusable water bottle or shop-bought drink within that capacity can remain in your hand luggage for screening.
There is an important exception for insulated water containers, including vacuum flasks: Birmingham Airport asks travellers to empty these before entering security. Take an empty flask through and refill it from a water fountain or at a catering outlet in the departure lounge.
How the new security scanners affect your hand luggage
Birmingham Airport’s security process is designed so that liquids and electrical devices stay inside your main cabin bag. That means you should not routinely remove laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras or power cables into a separate tray. Keep them in the bag unless a security officer tells you otherwise.
You will still need to prepare yourself and the rest of your belongings. At the checkpoint, have your boarding card ready and remove items from your pockets, including phone, keys, coins and tissues. Jackets and coats need to go into a tray for separate screening. You may also be asked to remove boots, a large belt or shoes, depending on instructions at the lane.
The scanner does not change airline cabin-bag allowances. Birmingham Airport publishes a maximum hand-luggage size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm including handles and wheels, but airlines may impose smaller dimensions, lower weight limits or a restriction on the number of bags. Always follow the allowance on your booking.
Baby milk, baby food and medicines
Parents and carers can take enough baby milk, sterilised water, formula and baby food for the journey. At Birmingham Airport, individual baby-milk containers must be no larger than 2 litres. Security may need to screen these items separately, so allow a little extra time at the checkpoint.
Essential prescription medication and associated equipment can travel in hand luggage. It is sensible to keep medicine in its original packaging and bring supporting evidence, such as a prescription or letter in your name, particularly for liquid medication, needles, auto-injectors or equipment that needs explanation. Let the security officer know where the items are in your bag while you load the trays.
Cooling gel packs and ice packs may be permitted where they are needed to keep medicine, baby milk or an essential dietary item at the correct temperature. Documentation can help show why a medicine or dietary item needs to be kept cool. Do not assume that frozen drinks or ordinary frozen food will be accepted: frozen liquids are generally not permitted in cabin baggage.
Food, powders, vapes and other items that can slow security down
Food is generally allowed in cabin baggage, but Birmingham Airport advises putting food and powders into checked luggage where possible. Dense powders and food can obscure the bag image and lead to a manual search or repeat screening. If you need to travel with them in your hand luggage, keep them easy to access and expect that a security officer may want to inspect them.
E-cigarettes and vapes must travel in hand luggage rather than checked baggage. They are still subject to airline rules, including any limits on spare batteries or use on board. Make sure electronic devices are charged: if a device cannot be switched on when requested, it may not be allowed to travel in the cabin.
Remember that the liquid allowance is not a list of permitted dangerous goods. Flammable liquids, gas canisters and other prohibited items remain restricted even if their container is smaller than 2 litres.
Why you may see outdated 100ml information
Some older search results still refer to a temporary 100ml restriction at Birmingham Airport after its new security area opened in 2024. The airport’s current live security advice and FAQs now state that compliant containers of liquids, gels and pastes up to 2 litres can be taken through security. For a trip on or after 3 September 2026, use the airport’s current guidance rather than older news pages or generic packing checklists.
Do not apply the Birmingham rule automatically to another airport. The UK Government says liquid requirements can vary by airport, and an outbound airport, transit airport and return airport may not all use the same process. If you are buying duty free and have a connection, keep it sealed in its security bag with the receipt visible until you reach your final destination.
A simple BHX hand-luggage checklist
- Keep every liquid, gel, paste or aerosol in a container of 2 litres or less.
- Leave liquids and electronics inside your cabin bag unless instructed otherwise.
- Empty insulated flasks and vacuum bottles before the security queue.
- Put coats, jackets and items from your pockets into the tray.
- Check your airline’s separate limits for cabin-bag size, weight and quantity.
- Bring medication documentation where it is relevant to the item you are carrying.
- Check the security rules for your return or connecting airport, especially if it is outside Birmingham.
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