Air France Liquid Rules: Toiletries, Perfume & Aerosols
Can you take liquids on Air France?
Yes: ordinary toiletries, perfume and qualifying toiletry aerosols are generally allowed, but cabin liquids must pass the departure airport’s security checks.
Air France’s published security guidance describes 100ml containers in one clear 1-litre bag.
Its separate dangerous-goods rules limit covered toiletries and aerosols to 500ml per item and 2 litres combined per person.
At a Glance
Yes – everyday toiletries are generally allowed, subject to departure-airport security and Air France dangerous-goods restrictions.
At most airports, cabin liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, even when partly empty. Some airports allow larger containers, sometimes up to 2 litres. Check your departure, transfer and return airports.
At airports using the traditional screening procedure, cabin liquids go in one transparent, resealable bag of up to 1 litre (around 20 × 20cm). Other airports may allow liquids to remain in your bag.
Air France permits covered non-radioactive medicinal and toiletry articles, including toiletries in aerosol form, in the cabin and hold. The combined maximum is 2kg or 2L per person and each article must not exceed 0.5kg or 500ml.
Air France permits covered toiletry aerosols and non-radioactive medicinal articles in the hold. The combined limit is 2kg or 2L per person, with a maximum of 0.5kg or 500ml per item. Its published guidance also allows qualifying non-flammable, non-toxic sporting or household aerosols in the hold, with protected valves.
Air France liquid rules: airport screening versus airline limits
Air France’s published security guidance describes liquids, gels, creams and pastes in containers of no more than 100ml, packed in one clear bag of up to 1 litre, with stated exceptions for necessary medicines and baby food.
Always check the current rules of the airport where you depart or transfer. Air France’s own dangerous-goods guidance separately permits qualifying toiletries, perfumes and non-radioactive medicines, including certain aerosols, in cabin and hold baggage within a combined limit of 2 litres or 2kg per person and 500ml or 500g per item.
Household or sporting aerosols have different carriage rules.
Air France cabin liquids: 100ml screening and personal toiletries
Air France’s airport-security guidance describes 100ml containers for perfume, deodorant sprays, shampoo, toothpaste, creams and other liquids, packed in one clear 1-litre bag.
Check the actual departure airport’s current procedures before travelling, especially if your trip includes a connection or return from another country.
Air France permits qualifying personal toiletry aerosols such as hairspray and deodorant in the cabin, subject to airport screening and the airline’s dangerous-goods limits.
Non-flammable, non-toxic household or sporting aerosols are a different category and are not permitted in the cabin under Air France’s published rules.
Necessary medicines and baby food may be exempt from normal screening limits with appropriate checks.
Air France liquids in hold baggage: perfume and aerosol restrictions
Ordinary larger shampoo and conditioner bottles are usually better packed in the hold.
Air France permits covered toiletries, perfume, hairspray, deodorant and non-radioactive medicines in checked baggage within a total of 2 litres or 2kg per person and no more than 500ml or 500g per item.
Non-flammable, non-toxic household or sporting aerosols may travel in the hold, not in the cabin, and must have protected valves.
Flammable or toxic household sprays and prohibited chemicals are not allowed.
For cabin bag dimensions, fare-specific allowances, checked baggage and fees, see our complete Air France baggage guide.
Practical packing tips for your Air France journey:
Keep perfume within both sets of rules. Cabin perfume must pass airport security; covered perfume also counts towards Air France’s dangerous-goods allowance.
Distinguish personal and household aerosols. Qualifying personal hairspray and deodorant may travel in the cabin; household or sporting aerosols have different restrictions.
Check your departure airport. Air France describes the traditional 100ml and clear-bag procedure, but the airport controls the screening process.
Put larger toiletries in the hold. Check Air France’s 500ml-per-item and 2-litre combined limits for covered articles.
Keep baggage questions separate. Use the Air France baggage guide for suitcase dimensions, fare entitlements and checked-bag fees.
Check both airports. Check the liquids rules for your departure airport and for any connection or return journey; procedures may differ.
Read the bottle size. Where a 100ml rule applies, the stated container capacity matters even if a larger bottle is almost empty.
Keep medicine accessible. Carry essential liquid medication with any supporting documents your airport requires, and present it separately when instructed.
Prevent leaks. Tighten lids, protect aerosol valves and put vulnerable bottles in a sealed pouch.
Keep the right guide handy. For bag sizes, fare-specific allowances and checked-bag fees, use our separate airline baggage guide.
Check your departure airport’s liquids rules
Airport security—not Air France—decides which liquid container sizes can pass through screening. Most airports still apply a 100ml limit; some now permit larger containers and different bag procedures. Check the published rules for each departure, connecting and return airport. Essential liquid medicines and baby food or milk may qualify for exemptions; follow the airport’s screening and evidence requirements. The airline’s dangerous-goods rules apply separately.
How common toiletries are treated at airport security
Many everyday toiletries are treated as liquids, gels, pastes or aerosols when you pass through airport security. This isn't determined by the airline you're flying with, and the exact restrictions can vary depending on the security rules and screening equipment used at your departure airport. Here's how some of the most commonly packed toiletries are generally treated:
Deodorant
Roll-on and aerosol deodorants are generally treated as liquids for airport-security purposes. Solid stick deodorants are normally treated differently and can be a useful option if you want to reduce the number of items in your liquids bag.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste counts as a paste and is treated as a liquid at airport security. Where the traditional 100ml restrictions apply, the size of the toothpaste container therefore needs to comply with the applicable liquids limit.
Shampoo and conditioner
Shampoo and liquid conditioner are treated as liquids. This also applies to similar hair products such as gels, serums and liquid styling products. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are generally not treated as liquids.
Shaving foam and gel
Shaving gels and foams are subject to liquid-security requirements. Aerosol shaving foam may also be subject to dangerous-goods restrictions, so larger products need particular consideration if you're packing them for a flight.
Hairspray
Hairspray is an aerosol and is treated as a liquid for cabin-security purposes. Aerosol toiletries can also be subject to airline dangerous-goods limits, so check your airline's requirements as well as the security rules at your departure airport.
Sun cream
Sun creams, lotions, gels and sprays are treated as liquids for cabin-security purposes. This includes products such as after-sun lotion and moisturising sun protection. Solid sun-protection products are generally easier to accommodate when travelling with limited liquid allowance.
Make-up and cosmetics
Liquid foundation, mascara, creams, gels, lip gloss and similar products are generally treated as liquids. Solid and powder cosmetics are generally not subject to the same liquid restrictions, although they will still pass through normal security screening.
Perfume and aftershave
Perfume, aftershave and other liquid fragrances are treated as liquids at airport security. They may also fall within dangerous-goods limits applying to toiletry and medicinal articles, particularly when larger quantities are carried.
Remember: airport-security procedures are changing as new screening equipment is introduced. Some airports may allow larger liquid containers or have different requirements for removing liquids from your cabin bag. Always check the current rules for the airport you're departing from — and any airport you'll use on a connecting or return journey — before you travel.
What are the Air France liquid rules for hand luggage?
Air France’s published airport-security guidance describes containers of no more than 100ml in one clear 1-litre bag. The actual departure airport controls screening, so check its current requirements.
Can I take perfume on Air France?
Yes. Perfume is generally permitted in cabin and hold baggage. It must meet airport liquid screening in hand luggage and Air France’s 500ml-per-item and 2-litre combined limits for covered toiletries.
Can I take aerosol deodorant or hairspray on Air France?
Yes, qualifying personal toiletry aerosols are permitted in cabin and hold baggage, subject to airport security and Air France’s dangerous-goods limits. Protect aerosol valves.
Does Air France allow aerosols in hand luggage?
Qualifying personal toiletry aerosols can travel in the cabin if they pass airport screening. Non-flammable, non-toxic household or sporting aerosols are permitted in the hold but not the cabin under Air France’s published rules.
Can I take full-size toiletries in Air France checked baggage?
Ordinary larger shampoo and conditioner bottles can generally travel in the hold. Covered perfume, toiletries and aerosols must remain within Air France’s per-item and combined dangerous-goods limits.
Does toothpaste count as a liquid on Air France?
Yes. Toothpaste is a paste and is treated as a liquid at airport security. Follow the current screening rules of your departure airport.
Can I take liquid medication over 100ml on Air France?
Necessary liquid medication may qualify for a security exemption. Air France’s security guidance refers to supporting prescriptions or a doctor’s statement; check the actual airport’s requirements.
Is the Air France baggage allowance the same as its liquid allowance?
No. Cabin bag dimensions, fare allowances and checked-bag fees are covered in our separate Air France baggage guide. Airport security controls cabin-liquid screening; Air France publishes separate dangerous-goods limits.
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