Liquids in hand luggage at Düsseldorf Airport: rules & packing tips

Liquids in hand luggage cause discussions at the security check at Düsseldorf Airport every day. The sun cream is too big, the perfume is not in the bag, the water bottle is still half full. On top of that comes uncertainty from reports that some airports are relaxing the 100 ml rule. So what applies now? In this guide we explain the basic rules, what counts as a liquid, which exceptions exist and how to pack so that you get through without an extra check. In short: if you stick to the classic 100 ml rule, you are on the safe side at every airport.

The basic rule: 100 ml in a one-litre bag

Since 2006 a uniform rule for liquids in hand luggage has applied in the EU. It is still the reliable basis today:

• Each container may hold no more than 100 ml – what counts is the printed volume, not the amount left.
• All containers must fit into a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a capacity of about one litre, roughly 20 by 20 centimetres.
• One bag per person is allowed.
• The bag must close easily.

A half-full 200 ml tube is therefore not allowed, even if only 50 ml are left in it. And three bags for one person don’t work either.

New scanners: does the 100 ml rule still apply?

The EU has approved new computed tomography scanners (CT scanners) that can analyse liquids in luggage better. Some German airports therefore allow larger containers at lanes equipped with them. The problem: not all lanes have been converted, the rules differ from airport to airport, and on your return flight the rules of the departure airport there apply. When changing planes, the old limit may apply again.

Our recommendation: pack liquids according to the 100 ml rule as long as you don’t know for sure that something else applies at your departure and return airports. The airport publishes the current status for Düsseldorf on dus.com; the Federal Police provides general information.

What counts as a liquid?

The term is broader than many people think. Besides drinks, it includes:

• Cosmetics: toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, lotions, creams, liquid make-up, mascara, lip gloss
• Sprays and aerosols: deodorant spray, hairspray, shaving foam, sun spray
• Gels and pastes: hair gel, contact lens solution, hand sanitiser
• Food: yoghurt, honey, jam, chocolate spread, sauces, soups, soft cheese
• Other: perfume, snow globes, liquid battery fillings, drinks of any kind

Solid alternatives save space in the bag: shampoo bars, deodorant sticks, toothpaste tablets or powder instead of liquid make-up. That leaves more room for what has to be liquid.

Exceptions: medication and baby food

There are exceptions for certain liquids if you need them during the journey:

• Medication: liquid medicines, insulin and similar products may usually be carried even above 100 ml and outside the bag. Bring a doctor’s certificate or at least the package leaflet – ideally in English if you are flying abroad.
• Baby food: milk, jars and juices for the duration of the journey are usually allowed. Declare them at security and expect a separate check.
• Special dietary food: medically necessary food may also be allowed – with appropriate proof.

The security staff decide on a case-by-case basis. The better prepared you are, the faster it goes.

Duty-free and drinks after security

After security you can buy drinks and duty-free goods and take them on board. For liquids from duty-free: keep them in the sealed security bag with the receipt until you reach your destination. If you change planes – especially at airports outside the EU – a new security check may still be the end of them. So ask before buying whether the goods will make it through to your final destination.

Another tip: take an empty water bottle through security and fill it afterwards at a drinking water fountain, or buy a drink. That saves money and is better for the environment.

How to pack liquids correctly

1. Prepare the bag: get a sturdy, transparent bag with a zip. Freezer bags from household stores work, and chemists sell special travel bags.
2. Decant: fill shampoo and the like into small travel bottles of 100 ml or less. Label them.
3. Make them leak-proof: the air pressure in the cabin changes – screw lids on tightly and don’t fill bottles to the brim.
4. Stow within reach: the bag belongs at the very top of your backpack or in the outer pocket of your trolley.
5. Large items in the suitcase: everything above 100 ml that you don’t need on the plane goes into your checked baggage.

What happens if you have too much with you?

Containers above 100 ml or liquids outside the bag are usually not allowed through. You can throw them away or, if there is enough time, repack them into your checked baggage – as long as the suitcase has not yet been checked in. Taking them back to the car is usually not an option, especially if you have already handed over your vehicle with shuttle or valet parking. How security works overall is explained in the guide Security check at Düsseldorf Airport.

Liquids in your checked suitcase

The 100 ml limits do not apply in checked baggage. Still, there are rules: flammable liquids, certain aerosol cans and dangerous substances are prohibited or only allowed in limited quantities even in your suitcase. Alcohol is usually allowed in normal household quantities, but spirits with a very high alcohol content may be restricted. Your airline sets the details. And remember the import rules at your destination and on your return: more in the guide Customs and entry at Düsseldorf Airport.

More room for luggage: travel by car

Driving to the airport has an advantage: you can repack calmly until you drop off your luggage. If you park in the terminal car park, your car is within walking distance; with valet parking at Düsseldorf Airport you only hand it over at the meeting point near the terminal – so do your final repacking in the car beforehand. With shuttle parking you should have everything sorted before you get on the bus.

You can quickly find a parking space for your trip via the search: Compare parking at Düsseldorf Airport. You see the final price including the service fee and can book online.

Typical mistakes – and how to avoid them

Security staff see the same mistakes every day. With a little preparation, they won’t happen to you:

• The forgotten water bottle: it sits in the side pocket of your backpack and shows up immediately on the X-ray. Drink it before security or bring an empty bottle straight away.
• The large sun cream: especially on summer holidays, the 200 ml bottle often ends up in hand luggage. Pack it in your suitcase or buy a new one at your destination.
• Perfume as a gift: original bottles often hold more than 100 ml. Better buy perfume in duty-free after security.
• Food from home: honey, spreads or pickled food count as liquids. They belong in checked baggage – and the import rules at your destination apply too.
• Two bags for one person: only one bag per person is allowed. If you travel as a couple, split the liquids between two bags in two pieces of hand luggage.
• Overfilled bag: if the bag won’t close, items will be sorted out. Better choose beforehand what you really need.

Travelling with hand luggage only

More and more travellers fly with hand luggage only on short trips, because baggage fees are rising and there is no waiting at the belt. Then the liquids bag is your only space for toiletries. Plan carefully: travel sizes, solid care products and small samples from the chemist help. At your destination you can often buy missing items cheaply. Also bear in mind that your airline limits the size and weight of hand luggage – differently depending on the fare.

Liquids checklist

• All containers 100 ml at most (printed volume)
• One transparent, resealable one-litre bag per person
• Medication with a certificate or package leaflet
• Baby food for the journey, declared at security
• Empty water bottle instead of a full one
• Bag at the very top of your hand luggage

Conclusion: with the 100 ml rule you are always on the safe side

Even though the technology at security lanes keeps developing, the classic 100 ml rule is still the most reliable yardstick – on the outbound flight from Düsseldorf as well as on the return. If you pack liquids correctly, you get through security faster and start your trip more relaxed. A parking space booked in advance makes for a relaxed journey to the airport: you can find all offers on the page Parking at Düsseldorf Airport. We answer further questions in our FAQ.