Yes, with limits. Lotion or spray sunscreen in a carry-on must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in your quart-size bag. In checked bags, each container can be up to 17 fl oz (500 ml), with spray nozzles capped.
Sunscreen lotion and spray are allowed in carry-on bags only in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, packed in your quart-size liquids bag. TSA has clarified that sunscreen gets no medical exemption from this limit.
Allowed in checked bags under FAA toiletry limits: each container no more than 0.5 kg (18 oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz), all restricted toiletries together no more than 2 kg (70 oz) or 2 L (68 fl oz) per person, and aerosol nozzles capped.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Carry-on: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container, in your quart-size bag (no medical exemption for sunscreen)
- Checked: max 0.5 kg (18 oz) / 500 ml (17 fl oz) per container
- Checked total for restricted toiletries and aerosols: 2 kg (70 oz) / 2 L (68 fl oz) per person
- Spray sunscreen: nozzle must be capped
Packing tips
- A solid sunscreen stick avoids the liquids bag entirely, since TSA's liquids rule covers liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes.
- Family-size spray cans are often over 3.4 oz; pack them in a checked bag or buy at your destination.
- Put sunscreen in a zip bag inside your checked luggage; spray cans and squeeze tubes can leak with pressure changes.
Outside the US
- UKCreams, lotions and sprays are liquids on GOV.UK: 100 ml per container at most UK airports, while some allow up to 2 litres. Source
- EUSunscreen counts as a liquid: 100 ml or less per container in one transparent bag of up to 1 litre. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring spray sunscreen on a plane?
Yes. In a carry-on the can must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less; in checked bags each can may be up to 18 oz (500 ml) with the nozzle capped.
Is sunscreen exempt from the TSA liquid rule as a medical item?
No. TSA has stated that sunscreen must meet the 3.4 oz (100 ml) limit in carry-ons; pack larger amounts in checked bags.