- In the United States, airports ask travelers to either drink or throw away any water bottles that are full before they go through security. However, there’s a trick for getting a full bottle of water—or any liquid—through the TSA checkpoint. To make the trick work, travelers need to follow TSA guidelines.
The majority of travelers will agree that going through airport security can be a pain. It is impossible to know if an airport’s security requires you to remove your shoes, put your laptop in your bag or keep it out. Or if you must place all your toiletries into a clear bag. One reliable rule, however, is that all airports in the U.S. require travelers to either consume or throw away any water bottles they have before passing through security. Or … do they?
You can bring your own liquid water through the security checkpoints to your next destination. (Perhaps you love your home-filtered water or you have a reverse osmosis water system.) It’s possible to freeze the water.
“Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening,” a U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson shared with CNN.
As the spokesperson explained, liquids must be completely frozen before they can pass through the conveyor belt. TSA spokesperson: “If frozen liquid items have liquid in the bottom or are partially melted or slushy they must comply with 3-1-1 liquids regulations.”
You can also find out more about the following: 3-1-1 ruleIf you are not familiar with the TSA’s rules, they state that passengers may bring up to a quart of liquids (including aerosols), gels, creams, and pastes through the security checkpoint in their carry-on bags, as long the contents are less than 100 milliliters (3.44 ounces). If your containers are larger, they must be placed in your checked luggage. Remember: it’s not about the liquid amount, but rather the container. So double-check, or grab one of these containers. TSA-approved toiletry kits You can be certain.
There are exceptions, however, to the rule. These include medications and nutritional needs such as breastmilk and baby formula.
For flights to the U.S. from abroad, passengers must also follow certain rules. These include that duty-free liquids larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) should be packaged by the retailer in a “transparent bag that is secure and tamper evident, as well as not showing any signs of tampering, when presented to TSA screening.” The original receipt must be presented by the traveler for all liquids. It must indicate that the purchase took place within 48 hours. The liquids must also be checked in luggage.
