HEATHROW AIRPORT SECURITY

Hand baggage

How many bags?
If your airline allows it, you may take more than one item of hand baggage through security control at Heathrow. However, please check with your airline, as some operate additional limits.

Liquids – 100ml rule
Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through airport security into the departure lounge. This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.
The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:
Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less.
They must be carried separately in a single bag which is:
Transparent and resealable
No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
Able to close properly with all the items inside.
At security control, place the bag in the tray with your other items.
Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security – please pack them in your hold baggage instead.
The following exceptions may be made to the 100ml rule:
Baby food or baby milk: Please carry only what you need for the flight. You will be asked to taste at least 50% of the containers.
Liquid medicines: You may be asked to taste medicines, or provide evidence that you need them for your journey. Find out more about travelling with medicines.
Explosive or flammable liquids, and those that are considered toxic, are not permitted in either hand or hold luggage.Liquids – 100ml rule
Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through airport security into the departure lounge. This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.
The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:
Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less.
They must be carried separately in a single bag which is:
Transparent and resealable
No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
Able to close properly with all the items inside.
At security control, place the bag in the tray with your other items.
Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security – please pack them in your hold baggage instead.
The following exceptions may be made to the 100ml rule:
Baby food or baby milk: Please carry only what you need for the flight. You will be asked to taste at least 50% of the containers.
Liquid medicines: You may be asked to taste medicines, or provide evidence that you need them for your journey. Find out more about travelling with medicines.
Explosive or flammable liquids, and those that are considered toxic, are not permitted in either hand or hold luggage.


Bag screening

All cabin baggage will be X-ray screened.
Place laptops and large electrical items separately in a tray.
Put coins, keys, mobile phones and other small items in your coat or hand baggage.
Place your hand baggage and coat into a tray.
Place any liquid items (important: see Liquids above), correctly bagged, into the tray.
Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened.
Wheelchairs will be thoroughly searched.
To save time, we advise you to place only valuables and items required for the flight in your hand baggage.


Airport shopping

For most destinations, anything you buy after security control can be taken on board the aircraft.
This includes bottled drinks, fragrances and cosmetics in sizes over 100ml.
Please note the following exceptions:


Packing tips

To avoid bags becoming jammed on the conveyor belt, please ensure that:
All loose straps are tied up or removed.
All flaps are securely fastened.
Extendable handles are retracted or secured.
Old tags and barcodes are removed.
When deciding what to pack and what to carry as hand baggage, please bear the following in mind:
Don’t wrap gifts. Security staff may wish to view them, and so may unwrap them.
Consider putting a change of clothes, or at least underwear and a spare shirt, into your hand baggage. It can mean a little extra comfort at the end of a long-haul flight, or if hold baggage is delayed.
Never carry anything on to an aircraft for anyone else


Items banned from hold baggage
For safety reasons, the following items cannot be taken on to an aircraft. Please do not pack them in any luggage, cabin or hold.
Flammable liquids and solids.
Oxidisers such as bleaching powders.
Organic peroxides.
Tear gas devices or any gas cylinders.
Infectious substances such as live virus materials.
Wet-cell car batteries.
Magnetrons.
Instruments containing mercury.
Instruments containing magnets.
Fireworks and pyrotechnics.
Non-safety matches.
Fire lighters, lighter fuel, paints, thinners.
Poisons, arsenic, cyanide, weedkiller.
Radioactive materials, acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic soda.
Creosote, quicklime, oiled paper.
Vehicle fuel system components which have contained fuel.
Explosives, ammunition, detonators and related equipment.
Smoke canisters and smoke cartridges.