💊 Medication

Liquid medications in any quantity are exempt from the 100ml carry-on rule in the US, so screeners will allow them through as long as you declare them separately at the checkpoint. You should remove your medications from your bag and inform the officer before the scan so they are not flagged as undeclared liquids. The exemption applies to prescription and over-the-counter medications alike.

Yes. The UK and EU require documentary proof of medical need for liquid medications over 100ml, which means a letter from your doctor or a prescription clearly linking the medication to you. The US, Australia, and Canada strongly recommend carrying documentation but do not require it as a condition of passage. If you are flying through a European airport, prepare your documentation before you travel.

Officers may swab medication containers for explosives residue as part of standard screening, and they can ask you to open a container if the X-ray image is unclear. They will not test the contents or confiscate legal medication, but declared items may take slightly longer to clear. Keeping medications in their original labelled packaging speeds up the process and reduces questions.

Declare any liquid medications exceeding 100ml before your bag goes through the X-ray by telling the officer you have a medically necessary liquid to declare. You can simply say 'I have prescription liquid medication to declare separately.' Place the items in a separate bin rather than leaving them in your carry-on bag. This prevents delays and ensures the exemption is applied correctly.