If you want to bring deodorant on a plane in your carry on bags, you need to be aware of the 3-1-1 rule.
TSA’s 3-1-1 rule states that any liquid, gel, or aerosol must be in a container that is less than or equal to 3.4 oz/100ml and placed in a 1 quart resealable bag. This rule applies to each passenger.
This means that spray, roll-on, gel, liquid, cream, and paste deodorant must not exceed 3.4 oz/100ml.
Bringing Solid and Powder Deodorants in Your Carry On
Solid deodorants, such as stick deodorants, as well as powder deodorants, do not have the same restrictions.
There is no limit to the size and quantity of solid deodorant you can bring (as long as you follow the airline’s weight and size restrictions for carry-on bags).
Powder deodorant is also fine. The only thing to know is that if the container exceeds 12 oz/ 350ml, it may require additional screening.
Bringing Deodorant in Your Checked Bag
If you want to pack your deodorant in your checked bags, and it qualifies as a liquid, gel, or aerosol, you need to remember the following:
“The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces).”
Considering how deodorants usually come in relatively small containers and the fact that you likely aren’t packing a 5-year supply means that this won’t apply to you.
Airline Restrictions for Deodorant
Whether your next flight is with United, Spirit, Southwest, Delta, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, or any other airline, it doesn’t matter.
The same rules apply.
This means that spray, roll-on, gel, liquid, cream, and paste deodorant must not exceed 3.4 oz/100ml if packed in your carry-on.
Solid deodorants are not limited to the same restrictions.
Bringing Deodorant on International Flights
Again, it doesn’t matter if you’re flying domestically or internationally.
Worldwide, the same rules apply.
So, spray, roll-on, gel, liquid, cream, and paste deodorant must not exceed 3.4 oz/100ml in your carry-on, yet solid deodorants are fine.
How to Bring More Than 3.4 oz/100ml of Deodorant on a Plane
There are only two ways to bring more than 3.4 oz/100ml of spray, roll-on, gel, liquid, cream, or paste deodorant on a plane in your carry on bags.
This can include deodorant if it has been prescribed.
The only thing to note is that a passenger must declare the item to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
Buy Deodorant at the Duty-Free
Items bought at a duty-free store once you have passed through airport security do not have to stick to the 3-1-1 rule.
This is because these items qualify as STEB items (secure, tamper-evident bags purchased at the airport).
Buy Travel-Sized Deodorant for Air Travel
In our opinion, it’s a good idea to buy travel-sized items when flying, whether that be deodorant, toothpaste, hairspray or any other toiletries.
Travel-sized deodorant is readily available at many stores, and it gives you one less thing to think about when traveling.
As all the big brands make travel-sized deodorant, so you should have no problem finding your favorite brand.
Toiletries You Can’t Bring on a Plane
As long as you follow the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, you can bring all of your toiletries on a plane in your carry on bags.
To reiterate, if the toiletry is a liquid, gel, or spray in a container that is less than or equal 3.4 oz/100ml, you will have no problem packing it in your carry on.
Some items can be confusing, though, which is what trips most people up.
Lip balm, cream blush, lipstick, and toothpaste, for example, all qualify as either liquids or gels.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
