New rules on what is permitted in hand luggage will take effect on 6 November 2006. Liquids, gels and aerosols are only allowed in hand luggage in small quantities (no more than 100 ml per item) and if correctly packaged. These rules will apply to all passengers departing from or changing planes at EU airports.
The new rules cover liquids such as water and other beverages, gels, pastes, lotions and the contents of aerosol cans. Toiletries such as toothpaste, shaving cream, hair gel, lip gloss and creams also fall under the rules.
These are the rules for liquids in your hand luggage:
- You can only take liquids and gels in containers of no more than 100 millilitres on board the aircraft.
- These containers must be carried in transparent plastic bags. (See Photo above)
- There is a limit of one transparent plastic bag per person.
- The volume of the transparent plastic bag may not be greater than 1 litre.
- The transparent plastic bag must be re-sealable.
You may bring a suitable plastic bag from home. During the introductory period, free transparent plastic bags will also be given out at all Dutch airports.
There are two exceptions to the above rules:
- Baby food needed during the flight;
- Medicines needed during the flight.
Shopping at airports and on board the flight
You can still make purchases, including duty-free purchases, after ticket and/or passport control and on board European airline flights. Liquids and gels that you buy after ticket and/or passport control or on board will be packed and sealed for you as necessary by the shop or cabin personnel. The seal is valid for one day. If you must change planes, you may not break the seal until you reach your final destination.
Keep your liquids separate
When passing through the security check for hand luggage, you must place your liquids separately in the bin for X-ray screening. Your containers of liquids must fit comfortably in the transparent plastic bag, and the bag must be closed. Coats, jackets and large electrical appliances such as laptops must also be handed in separately to be checked.
Q & A
Why are these rules necessary?
The new rules for hand luggage were introduced after the arrest of suspected terrorists in Britain in August 2006. The suspects were thought to be involved in a plot to destroy aircraft using liquid explosives. Liquids in hand luggage are now subjected to greater restrictions and stricter controls to reduce the chances of such an attack.
Why liquids?
Extensive research on the subject has shown that large amounts of liquid explosives are needed to cause an explosion. For this reason, passengers may no longer carry large amounts of liquids in their hand luggage. Liquids and gels sold at airports are subject to extra checks, and liquids and gels brought from home may only be brought on board in small quantities.
What can I expect at airport checkpoints?
At the security checkpoints, all hand luggage goes through a scanner on a conveyer belt. At this point your hand luggage is also checked for liquids. According to the new rules, if you want to take liquids in your hand luggage, you have to pack them separately before departure, either at home or at the airport.
If, in spite of this, you pack loose containers of liquids and gels in your hand luggage, you should allow for the possibility that they will be confiscated at the security checkpoint.
Before the checkpoints, there are specially equipped locations where you can obtain a plastic bag and repack your liquids and gels.
You must present all liquids separately when your hand luggage is checked. Your transparent plastic bag must be closed, and your containers of liquids must fit in it comfortably. Coats, jackets and large electrical appliances such as laptops must also be presented separately for inspection.
Where can I get a plastic bag?
Transparent plastic bags that meet the European requirements are still hard to obtain in shops. During the introductory period, free transparent plastic bags will be given out at all Dutch airports.
Can I still shop after passport control? Is there still duty-free shopping?
Yes, you can still do your shopping, including duty-free shopping, at EU airports after passport control and on European airline flights. Liquids and gels that you buy after the ticket and/or passport control or on board will be packed and sealed for you as necessary by the shop or on board. The seal is valid for one day. If you must change to another plane, you may not break the seal until you reach your final destination.
Shopping at non-European airports and on board non-European airlines
If you buy liquids or gels (duty-free or not) at a non-European airport and change planes at a European airport, you should allow for the possibility that your purchases will be confiscated at the security checkpoint. This can happen with purchases you make on board an aircraft operated by an airline from a non-EU country.
Why do I need a plastic bag?
The transparent plastic bag is needed for the airport security check. If all the containers are together in the transparent plastic bag, security personnel can see at a glance if the rules have been followed. Ensuring that the bag is closed and packing it so that the containers fit in it comfortably will make security checks go faster.
If, in spite of this, you pack loose containers of liquids and gels in your hand luggage, you should allow for the possibility that they will be confiscated at the security checkpoint.
Do these rules apply everywhere?
The same rules apply at all airports in all 25 EU countries. These rules will therefore apply whenever you are departing from or changing planes in the EU. Similar rules for hand luggage apply in the US and Canada. Bear in mind that different rules may apply in other non-EU countries.
Rules for EU and US are not completely the same. Will this give any problems?
TSA and EU rules have as of yet not been harmonised at the highest political level. Therefore we are forced to work with 2 different systems.
What does this mean for the gate delivery service for flights to the US and US carriers? Will this service be extended or will sealing in the shops be accepted?
The Gate delivery service as it is now remains the same. The EU rules demand a different system, namely, the sealing of duty free articles in the shops without gate delivery service. It will be a special EU seal.
Where will the special plastic bag be distributed?
Passengers may bring their own plastic bag if the bag fulfills the requirements. During the introductory period, however, they will be distributed for free by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at many different locations in the public and restricted areas.
As of yet, a plastic bag fulfilling the requirements of the EU rules is not available at shops in the Netherlands.
Are airlines required to inform (transferring) passengers before and/or during flights about the new EU rules?
Non-EU airlines are not required however, the earlier the passenger is informed on the new rules on liquids and gels and how purchases of duty free products works, the smoother transfers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will be. Reducing possible delays at security checkpoints and delays in catching connecting flights.
Should airlines inform transferring passengers at the airport of origin (Non- EU) about the EU regulations when transferring to an EU country?
This is strongly advised. A good example of this is the KLM who will start distributing the plastic bags, needed when transferring at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, at the check in at their non-EU outstations.
Also, they have decided to inform their passengers in-flight on all EU-rules.
