A plane trip is planned in advance. No matter your destination, there are regulations to follow in order to be able to board or disembark without any constraints. These concern both your checked baggage and the bag you will take into the cabin. Regulatory dimensions, number of bags, weight not to exceed… I will tell you more about the elements to master to efficiently prepare your belongings for your next trip.
Rules for cabin baggage
Authorized cabin baggage allows you to take certain products and a single accessory under certain conditions. You may be entitled to a laptop, a handbag, crutches, or a utility vehicle that can improve your comfort or that of your baby.
You can also bring liquids, creams and lotions as long as they are presented in a plastic bag. It is recommended touse a transparent toiletry bag to facilitate their identification. The tubes and bottles used must not exceed 100 ml.
The rule also applies to sprays, lotions, perfumes and oils, mascara, shower gel, toothpaste, or any product that may have a consistency close to these products. On a plane, each traveler is entitled to a single bag of liquid, the capacity of which does not exceed one liter. This bag must be presented closed, outside of your cabin baggage at the time of security check.
There are also other rules to follow to board legally. If you are flying through an American airport, the only bottles authorized are those available in tester format. Items must be stored in the plastic bag, without sticking out. The transparent bag should be left within reach and easy to open.
Some exceptions to take into account
In the majority of cases, personal care and toiletry products, as well as drinks purchased after your security check, can be taken on board. This only applies to direct flights and cannot therefore be applied to a connecting flight where another security check will be required.
Certain items exceeding 100ml can be taken, provided they are declared to the TSA. This declaration must be made at the time of inspection and must include the simplest items such as fruit juice or milk.
Also declare medications and other products you need to carry for specific treatments. In this particular case, you must be able to justify that the medicines you are carrying are essential to your health. A health certificate or prescription will be sufficient for acceptance of these medical products. If you need additional medical devices, these tools must be able to be stored in a single piece of luggage.
Since 2014, travelers to the United States and boarding connecting flights have been allowed to carry liquids in quantities greater than the tester size. This exception concerns goods purchased tax-free and whose packaging is still intact.
Only liquids that can be checked by the TSA can be boarded.. Opaque metal or ceramic bottles are therefore not permitted and may be confiscated. If you must carry liquids that cannot be verified, it is recommended to include them in the baggage that will go through check-in. Please note, however, that depending on your country of destination, additional restrictions may apply for liquid, aerosol or gel products.
What rules for gifts?
The gifts you take in your hand luggage are no exception to the rule. Like all other items you take, they must go through the same checks. Since you have to transport gifts, I recommend that you do not wrap them for various controls.
These must remain easy to inspect. Exceptions and restrictions will also vary depending on the departure airport. Before the American Transportation Safety Administration, gifts in the shape of a weapon should be prohibited. These are sensitive items that can be considered security risks.
This applies to replicas as well as toys or sports equipment. Also avoid bringing more alcohol than the permitted limit. This regulation also applies to packaged holiday souvenirs. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages are invariably confiscated by the TSA. You are entitled to 16 liters of beer, 4 liters of wine, as well as one liter of spirits.
The special case of perfumes
Perfumes are also among the sensitive products that can be confiscated by the TSA. At the time of control, customs will remind you of the prohibitions regarding the size of liquids transported, their location in a transparent bag, as well as their transport away from other items to be taken with you.
If you need to transport perfume, it is best to get it from Duty Free. This alternative will cost less and will not count towards the final weight of your hand luggage.
Food regulations on planes
Before taking food in your luggage, it will be essential to find out about the airport regulations. While food memories are always a pleasure, they cannot be taken away without a minimum of precaution.
Cheeses, foie gras and meats are the first to be affected. Depending on the country, customs and agricultural laws will be more or less strict. In the event of non-compliance with regulations regarding their packaging, weight or declaration, these products may be thrown away. Raw milk cheeses are not permitted in many countries, including Canada and the United States.
Generally, only pasteurized versions are permitted. Chocolates and cakes are easier to take on the go. These products have no difficulty passing customs. Food products that do not present health or safety risks are commonly accepted.
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