If you don’t want to use hotel shampoo or buy shampoo at your next travel destination, you might be wondering if you can bring shampoo on a plane.
You can bring shampoo on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, but you are limited to a bottle of shampoo that does not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if you pack it in your carry on.
But what about bringing dry, powdered and medical shampoo on a plane?
Are there also restrictions when bringing conditioner, hairspray, and other haircare products?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
- 1 Bringing Shampoo in Your Checked Bag
- 2 Bringing Shampoo in Your Carry On Bag
- 3 Airline Regulations
- 4 No Difference for International Flights
- 5 What Size Shampoo Can You Bring on a Plane?
- 6 The Type of Shampoo Matters
- 7 You’ll Be Able to Bring 7-8 Bottles of Shampoo
- 8 Shampoo is Unlikely to Explode in Checked Baggage
- 9 Bringing Conditioner on a Plane
Bringing Shampoo in Your Checked Bag
If you want to bring shampoo on a plane in your checked bags, you can do so with no quantity limitations.
So regardless of the size of the shampoo bottle or how many bottles you want to bring with you, there will be no problem, as you are allowed to pack full-sized toiletries in your checked bags.
Bringing Shampoo in Your Carry On Bag
If you want to pack shampoo in your carry on bag, you are not allowed to bring a bottle that is larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
This is because the TSA has something called the 3-1-1 Rule, which stands for 3 ounces, 1 passenger, 1 quart-sized bag.
What this means is that each passenger is allowed to travel with a container or containers of shampoo in their carry-on bag, just as long as each is no larger than 3.4 ounces and is placed in a 1 quart-sized resalable bag.
Airline Regulations
Regardless if you’re flying with United, Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, American Airlines, or any other regional or major carrier, the same rules apply.
Again, this means that you can bring any quantity of shampoo in your checked bags, but are limited to shampoo in containers no larger than 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on bags.
No Difference for International Flights
Whether you’re flying domestically within the USA or internationally, the same rules apply.
This means that you can bring any quantity of shampoo in your checked bags when flying internationally, but are limited to shampoo in containers no larger than 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on bags.
What Size Shampoo Can You Bring on a Plane?
The bottle of shampoo you want to bring with you should not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
It’s important to note that if you have a bottle of shampoo that is larger than this but only contains 50ml, that still would not be allowed, as it is the size of the bottle that counts.
The Type of Shampoo Matters
As liquid shampoo is not the only shampoo available, you might also be wondering if the type of shampoo you can bring on a plane matters.
Dry Shampoo
If you want to bring dry shampoo on a plane, it may surprise you to learn that there are additional restrictions.
This is because dry shampoo is an aerosol.
Just like liquid shampoo, dry shampoo can not be brought in a container that is larger than 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on bags.
If packed in your checked bags, dry shampoo must not 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).
Powder Shampoo
If you want to bring powder shampoo on a plane, there are also restrictions.
If the powder shampoo is greater than 350mL or 12 oz. it is allowed in your carry on bags, but it may require additional screening as you go through airport security.
The TSA recommend that you pack powder shampoo in your checked bags to avoid any problems.
Medical Shampoo
The TSA have different rules when it comes to medical products, including shampoo.
If you have been prescribed a medical shampoo, you are allowed to bring a bottle that is larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
It is recommended that you travel with your prescription and declare to a TSA agent that you are traveling with a liquid that exceeds the standard regulations.
You’ll Be Able to Bring 7-8 Bottles of Shampoo
You can technically take an unlimited number of bottles of shampoo on a plane in your checked baggage, though the airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions will apply.
If you want to know how many bottles of shampoo you can bring on a plane in your carry on bags, the answer is 7-8.
This is because, in total, you are allowed to bring take 32 ounces of liquids on a plane (or 1 quart of liquids).
But because, in all likelihood, you won’t be able to take a full 32 ounces on a plane due to any liquid and gel being in a container, you will probably be able to bring about 25 ounces in total.
Related: How Many 3 Oz Bottles (3.4 Oz Containers) Can You Take on a Plane?
Shampoo is Unlikely to Explode in Checked Baggage
There is a slight possibility that your shampoo will explode in your checked baggage.
This is because the cabin pressure of flying at 35,000 feet causes the air inside a shampoo bottle to expand.
To avoid your bottle of shampoo exploding, it’s recommended that you make sure that the bottle isn’t too empty, and you place the bottle in plastic wrap to prevent any leaks.
Bringing Conditioner on a Plane
If you want to bring hair conditioner on a plane, the bottle of conditioner must not exceed 3.40z/100ml if packed in your carry on bags.
There are no restrictions when packed in your checked bags.
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).