There is no official "TSA approved" toiletry bag. TSA does not certify bags; its rule only says each passenger may carry one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols, with every container at 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. Any clear, closable bag of about a quart works, including a zip-top food bag.
Key facts
- TSA requires one quart-size bag of liquids per passenger. It does not approve or certify bag brands.
- Every container inside must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.
- A US quart is about 946 ml, close to the 1-liter bag used in the UK, EU and Canada.
- The UK describes its 1-liter bag as about 20 cm x 20 cm (about 8 x 8 in), sealed rather than tied.
- Solids such as bar soap, stick deodorant and powder makeup do not have to go in the bag.
Is there such a thing as a TSA approved toiletry bag?
No. "TSA approved" on a toiletry bag is a marketing phrase, not a certification. TSA publishes no list of approved bags and no product standard for them. Its official wording is simply that each passenger may carry one quart-size bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes, and that each item must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.
That means a store-bought clear travel pouch and a plain quart-size zip-top food storage bag are treated the same at the checkpoint. What matters is what is in the bag and whether it is roughly a quart.
What does the TSA rule actually require?
- Size: about one quart. TSA does not publish exact dimensions.
- Number: one bag per passenger. A second bag of liquids is not allowed, even if each container is small.
- Contents: containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. The printed size of the container counts, not how full it is.
- Screening: take the bag out and place it in a bin unless officers tell you otherwise. TSA says separating it speeds up screening.
TSA's wording does not say the bag must be zip-top, but a bag you can see into and close fully makes screening simpler. The full rule, including exemptions for medication and baby formula, is in our TSA liquids rule guide.
What are quart-size bag dimensions?
A US liquid quart is 32 fl oz, or about 946 ml. TSA does not give a width and height, so there is no single "correct" measurement. Most travelers use a standard quart-size zip-top storage bag as the reference.
The UK government is more specific for its own rule: a bag holding no more than 1 liter, measuring about 20 cm x 20 cm (about 8 x 8 in). Because a quart and a liter are so close, a bag that meets the UK description is a practical choice if you fly both in the US and abroad.
Can the bag be bigger if it still closes?
Officers look for a bag of roughly a quart. A larger pouch, such as a gallon bag or a big cosmetics case, can mean a bag search or being asked to repack. If your pouch is noticeably bigger than a quart, it is easier to use a plain quart bag at the checkpoint.
What to look for in a clear toiletry bag
Since there is no official product, look at features that help at security and in your suitcase:
- Capacity close to one quart or one liter. Check the stated size if the maker lists one.
- Clear sides. Officers should be able to see the containers without unpacking.
- A closure that seals fully. A zip or slider that closes flat. The UK rule says the bag must be sealed, not tied.
- Flexible, not rigid. A soft bag fits into the gaps of a full carry-on and squeezes to close.
- Wipe-clean material. Liquids can leak when cabin pressure changes.
If you already own a hard-sided or oversized toiletry case, use it in your checked bag and keep a separate quart bag for the checkpoint.
How do you pack a quart bag so everything fits?
- Start with what has to be liquid. List the items you cannot replace with a solid: perhaps toothpaste, contact lens solution, sunscreen and a face cream.
- Decant into labeled travel bottles. Use bottles marked with their capacity. Some airports outside the US refuse containers without a printed size.
- Fill bottles about three-quarters full. Squeeze a little air out before capping to reduce leaks at altitude.
- Stand tall items upright and lay tubes flat along the sides, then close the bag fully.
- Pack the bag last, on top of your carry-on, so you can lift it out at the checkpoint without unpacking.
Small, frequent items add up fast: mascara, lip gloss, hand sanitizer and hair gel all count. If the bag will not close, move something to your checked bag or swap it for a solid version.
What can go outside the toiletry bag?
Solid items are not liquids, so they can go anywhere in your carry-on with no size limit. TSA lists these as allowed:
| Item | Needs the quart bag? |
|---|---|
| Bar soap | No |
| Solid stick deodorant | No (gel, roll-on and spray deodorant do) |
| Solid shampoo and conditioner bars | No (liquid shampoo does) |
| Powder and solid makeup, lipstick | No (liquid foundation and mascara do) |
| Stick lip balm | No (lip gloss and pot balms do) |
| Makeup wipes | No |
| Toothpaste tablets | No |
Powders over 12 oz (350 ml) need their own bin at screening and may get extra checks. Medically necessary liquids, baby formula and breast milk can also stay out of the bag, but declare them to the officer. See flying with medication for details.
Do UK and EU airports use the same bag?
The standard rule in the UK and EU is a single transparent, resealable bag of up to 1 liter per person, with containers of 100 ml or less. The UK adds that the bag should be about 20 cm x 20 cm, everything must fit with the bag sealed, and the top must not be tied.
The details now vary by airport. As of October 2026:
- Heathrow and Gatwick allow liquids in containers of up to 2 liters, kept in your hand luggage.
- Manchester keeps the 100 ml limit per container but no longer asks for a plastic bag.
- Dublin allows containers of up to 2 liters and no longer requires a clear bag.
Your return flight follows the rules at the airport you leave from, so pack a 1-liter bag anyway. The country-by-country details are in our 100 ml liquid rule by country guide.
Questions people ask
Can I use a regular zip-top bag for TSA?
Yes. Any clear, closable bag of about a quart works. TSA does not require a branded or special travel bag.
Can I bring two quart bags if I'm traveling with a lot of toiletries?
No. TSA allows one quart-size bag of liquids per passenger. Extra liquids go in checked baggage, or you can switch some items to solids.
Does my toiletry bag have to be clear?
TSA's wording only says quart-size, but a clear bag lets officers see the containers and is required under the standard UK and EU rule. Using one avoids delays.
Is a gallon-size bag allowed?
No. TSA's limit is a quart-size bag, and a gallon bag is four times larger. Expect to be asked to repack.
Can kids have their own liquids bag?
Yes. The limit is one bag per passenger, so each traveler, including a child, can carry one. Baby formula and baby food don't need to go in a bag at all.
Sources
- TSA: Liquids rule
- TSA: What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule?
- TSA: Solid makeup
- TSA: What Can I Bring? (soap, bar)
- TSA: What Can I Bring? (deodorant)
- TSA: What Can I Bring? (makeup wipes)
- TSA: Medications (liquid)
- GOV.UK: Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports, liquids
- Heathrow: Security and baggage
- Gatwick Airport: Security
- Manchester Airport: Security
- Dublin Airport: Security
- European Commission: Information for air travellers
