💅 Nail polish remover

Acetone-based nail polish remover is a flammable liquid, and any bottle over 100ml will be confiscated at the checkpoint — there are no exceptions. Screeners treat it the same as other hazardous liquids, so a standard drug-store bottle (typically 200ml or more) will not make it through the cabin screening. You would be asked to surrender it or, if time allows, transfer it to checked baggage.

Most aviation authorities classify nail polish remover as a flammable liquid regardless of whether it is acetone-based or non-acetone, so the 100ml carry-on limit applies in both cases across all major regions. Some non-acetone removers use alcohol or other solvents that are also classified as flammable, so swapping to a non-acetone formula does not reliably change your carry-on allowance.

Enforcement is consistent because acetone shows up clearly on X-ray screening for liquids, and screeners are familiar with the characteristic bottle shapes. If your bag is pulled, you will be shown the volume limit and given the standard options: surrender the item, check it, or return to departures. There is little room for negotiation on flammable liquids, so it is worth decanting into a small bottle before you leave home.

Buy a reusable 100ml travel bottle and decant what you need before your trip — this is the most reliable solution for carry-on travel. Alternatively, pick up a small single-use remover pot (the kind with a sponge inside) at the pharmacy, as many come in sizes well under 100ml. For longer trips where you need more, pack the full bottle in checked baggage in a sealed zip-lock bag to contain any leaks.