Heathrow security screening FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about security at Heathrow, made up of genuine enquiries received from passengers.
Bag size and volume
What is the bag size for hand luggage (carry-on)?
Your airline may enforce restrictions on the size and number of cabin bags. For example, smaller bag sizes apply to Flybe at Southampton and to easyJet and Ryanair at Stansted. Please contact your airline for further information.
Can I take a handbag and a piece of hand luggage?
We recommend you contact your airline about hand baggage allowances as these vary between operators. Please note that at Stansted Airport, airlines continue to implement a 'one carry-on bag rule'; your handbag does count as the single item of hand baggage, unless you put it inside your cabin bag.
Transparent, resealable bag
How big can the transparent, resealable liquid bag be?
The capacity must not exceed 1 litre (this is about 20cm x 20cm, or 8in x 8in).
Bag content
Foodstuffs
Can I take liquids in containers over 100ml?
Not in hand luggage. They must be packed in your hold baggage (the main baggage that you check in, which is carried in the aircraft hold).
What foodstuffs can I carry in my hand luggage? Can I take my wedding cake?
You can take most solid food, including wedding cake. Food in sauces or dishes that have a high liquid content will need to be in containers of 100ml or less, which must be put into your transparent, resealable bag.
It is illegal to take some meat and dairy products abroad. To find out more, please visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website, www.defra.gov.uk, or call 0845 933 5577.
What about yoghurts or fruit juices?
Yes, but these items need to be in containers 100ml or less, and must be put into your transparent, resealable bag.
Contact lenses
I wear disposable contact lenses. Can I carry spare sets in my hand baggage?
You may carry a couple of spare pairs in your hand baggage. The packages need to be sealed. Further pairs must be packed in your hold luggage.
Can I take contact lens solution?
Yes. Contact lens solution must be in a container of 100ml or less, placed inside your transparent, resealable bag.
Toiletries
Can I take my lipstick and deodorants on board?
You can take on board all solid cosmetics. A standard lipstick would be acceptable, as would a solid deodorant. You can also take atomisers and cream in containers up to 100ml, but these will need to be placed in your transparent, resealable bag.
Can I buy cosmetics, toiletries and drinks after security?
Yes, if you are on a direct flight to your destination, you can "fly with everything you buy" after security. Flights to Australia are an exception, however – passengers cannot buy any liquids over 100ml. If in doubt, please ask a member of store staff.
Phones, cameras, electrical items
Can I take electrical items such as an MP3 player, a portable DVD player and a laptop?
Yes, there are no limitations on electrical items. Be aware, though, that we will ask for items to be removed and screened separately.
Laptop computers and large electrical items must be removed from hand baggage and placed in the trays with other belongings.
Can I take my digital camera and mobile phone through security?
Yes, but please remember large electrical items must be removed from hand baggage and placed in the trays with other belongings.
Can I carry spare batteries in my hand baggage for my electrical items, such as laptop, DVD player, digital camera and mobile phone?
Yes.
Do the increased security measures affect camera film?
No, absolutely not. Independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC), to establish the full and exact details of any potential film damage caused by baggage screening machines at airports, have given the all-clear to current hand-luggage X-ray inspection systems installed at BAA airports. If you are carrying professional film ISO 800 or above, please see our Advice to Photographers page for further details.
Can I carry gas hair tongs in my hand baggage?
Yes you can, but you are only allowed to carry the single gas cartridge that powers the appliance. And please double check with your airline, as some carriers may restrict these items.
Sharp items
Can I take a nail file on board?
Yes, providing it is not longer than 6cm.
Can I take nail scissors?
Yes, providing the blades are not longer than 6cm (measured from the fulcrum).
What about knitting needles?
Knitting needles are allowed.
Body scanners
Why are body scanners being introduced at airports?
We already have a number of effective security screening methods in place but the nature of threats to aviation security is continually changing. Body scanners provide an additional layer of security that offers an effective method of screening passengers for emerging threats.
What criteria will be used to select which passengers will be scanned?
Passengers are selected for scanning in order to resolve security concerns or on a random basis. Selection is never based upon personal characteristics (i.e. on a basis that may constitute discrimination such as disability, sex, gender reassignment, age, race, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and sexual orientation).
Can passengers choose to be screened by an alternative method?
If selected for body scanning, you will not be offered an alternative method of screening. Refusal to be screened will result in you not being allowed to travel. We appreciate that this may appear harsh, but it is necessary in order to maintain security levels.
What is it like to be scanned?
Passengers should not be concerned. Body scanners offer a far less intrusive process than a hand search as there is no physical contact needed during the scanning process. Passengers selected will be asked to take up a particular stance depending upon the type of body scanner.
Are body scanners safe?
Yes. There are a number of different body scanner technologies but all have been assessed by government health and safety regulators. Tests have concluded that the dose received from being scanned is far below the allowed levels in the UK and does not constitute any unacceptable risk to health.
How will my privacy be protected?
Most of our scanners are now fitted with automated threat recognition software. The image produced by these scanners is a generic stick-like figure image with markings on those areas of the body where the scanner has detected items on the passenger being scanned. You can see this image as you exit the scanner.
For our other scanners, strict controls are in place to ensure that the screener conducting analysis of the image cannot see the person whose image they are viewing and the security officer resolving any issues identified by the body scanner cannot see the image of the person being searched. No images are saved or retrievable at a later date.
General
Can I take reading material with me?
Yes, you can carry on books and magazines, brought with you in your hand luggage or purchased in the departure lounge.
Will I have to take my shoes off?
You should only remove your footwear for security screening if you are asked to do so by a security officer.
Can I carry glass items?
Yes.
Can crash helmets be carried through security?
Yes, but please contact your airline as some may operate additional restrictions.
Can I take my jewellery on board?
Yes, the only restriction here might be that some items could be categorised as 'sharp objects'. If you have any doubts, please check the restrictions on sharp objects.
Can I carry my house keys and car keys in my hand luggage (including the remote lock device)?
Yes, you may carry these either in your pocket (but remove them for screening at security) or in your hand baggage.
Can I now carry my glasses case with my glasses in them?
Yes.
What about umbrellas?
Umbrellas are permitted. They will be X-ray screened at security control.
Medicines
What quantities of liquid medication can I take with me?
Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the trip. Amounts under 100ml should be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with other liquids.
For amounts over 100ml, prior approval from the airline and departure airport, and supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription), are required.
All liquids should be presented at security for X-ray inspection. You may be asked to verify the liquid by tasting.
I carry insulin and hypodermic needles. Is this allowed?
Yes, you are allowed to carry both insulin and needles.
I am concerned about the temperature of my medicine in the hold.
Aircraft hold areas have different temperatures. Please speak to your airline to ensure your medication can be stored correctly.
I would like to carry some non-prescribed medicine in tablet form, such as paracetamol. May I do that?
Yes. There is no limit on what you can carry in tablet or pill form, whether it is prescribed medication or not.
Can I carry an EpiPen in my hand luggage?
Yes.
I am asthmatic. Can I carry an inhaler?
Yes, but any spare canisters must be packed in your hold luggage. You may be asked to verify the item.
I also have a spray, but for angina. Is this allowed?
Yes, you may carry essential medicines for the trip. You may be asked to verify the item.
May I carry a blood pressure monitor in my hand luggage?
Yes, provided it complies with your airline's hand luggage rules. Please contact your airline if in doubt.
Can I carry my homeopathic medication, which is in liquid form, in my hand luggage?
The rules for homeopathic medicines are the same as for other liquid medicines.
We are transferring bone marrow and stem cells out of the country. Can we carry them in our hand luggage?
The Anthony Nolan Trust should be notified and they in turn should fax the details to security.
I need to carry a liquid wig spray. Can I have this in my hand luggage?
Yes, in a container up to 100ml which must be put into your transparent, resealable plastic bag.
Families and babies
Security guide for families (1.1MB PDF)
Am I allowed to take a baby bag as well as my own cabin bag, if my child is sitting on my lap?
Please confirm the arrangements with your airline, as different operators have different rules on cabin baggage.
Am I allowed to take my child's pushchair to the gate?
Yes, you are allowed to take pushchairs, prams and buggies to the gate. These items will need to be X-ray screened, so your child/children will have to be lifted out at security. Security officers may make further checks of the pushchair.
Am I allowed to take children's puzzle books, games and stickers on board?
Yes, you are allowed to carry these in your hand luggage through security and you can also buy them in the departure lounge.
Can I take wet wipes on the plane?
Yes, you can carry wet wipes.
Can I take milk powder with me to make up a bottle of milk on the plane?
Yes, you can carry milk powder.
What about liquid baby food, bottles or cartons of prepared milk or sterilised water? Do they need to be a maximum of 100ml?
If you are travelling with an infant, these items can exceed 100ml and do not have to fit into the resealable bag. However, the amount must be sufficient for your trip only and you may be asked to open the containers and taste the contents. There are no limits for formula milk powder, and bottled water is available in shops after security. Your airline can provide water during the flight. This exemption to the 100ml liquid regulations can only apply when you are travelling with an infant. In other cases, excess liquids should be carried as hold luggage.
Can I buy cartons of formula milk from the shops after security?
Yes. Boots sell ready-to-drink formula in both 250ml and 500ml sizes after security. Every country which is implementing the new security arrangements has accepted that parents with babies should be able to carry sufficient baby food/milk for the journey, so "reasonable amounts" are exempted – although you may be asked to open the containers and taste the contents when going through BAA's UK airports
If you wish to reserve formula milk for purchase in the shops after security control, please email genres_collect@baa.com.
What happens if the baby can only tolerate non-dairy and needs soya milk or rice milk?
Reasonable quantities may be carried in the cabin provided you are travelling with a baby or infant. The same rules for baby food and milk as detailed elsewhere in this section will apply.
What about jars of baby food?
If the contents are in liquid or pureed form, you may only carry quantities in excess of the 100ml personal liquid allowance if you are travelling with an infant. You may be asked to open the containers and taste the contents of infant or baby food that you bring with you. You may only carry what you need for the journey. Spare supplies should be carried as hold baggage.
What about puréed food in plastic pots or containers?
For an adult, puréed food is treated as a liquid.
Can we take baby car seats (for use on the plane) through security?
Yes, these may carried through security. You should check with your airline when you check in for your flight.
Can we carry sandwiches and crisps for the children?
Yes, crisps are fine and sandwiches with any type of filling are also permitted.
Can we carry children's liquid ibuprofen and paracetamol in our hand luggage?
Yes, carry sufficient for the trip and less than 100ml. You may need to test the liquid medicine by tasting it.
Exceptional items
Can I take my musical instrument on board?
Yes, but please contact your airline as different operators have different rules. Instruments will be subject to X-ray screening. Some accessories, such as percussion mallets or wire brushes for drums, may not be allowed in your hand luggage.
I have a hat box. Can I take it with me in the cabin?
Yes, but it must fit within any maximum dimensions or other restrictions on hand baggage set by your airline.
Can I carry my wedding dress on board?
Yes, providing it complies with any cabin baggage restrictions imposed by your airline.
How can you assure me that there will be no terrorists on my plane? I would also like to know what checks you make on all the staff working at the airport – how do you know there are no terrorists working in security? Or smuggling bombs on planes via the food that is put on to the planes?
The current state of heightened security in the UK is unprecedented and your concern is understandable. We are strictly regulated by the Department for Transport, which has always had procedures in place for us to follow to ensure adequate aviation security. We have processes in place for searching and screening both passengers and their luggage prior to their entry to restricted areas – this also includes screening of the catering provisions.
In addition, there are stringent procedures for screening and vetting all our employees prior to their joining the airport's workforce. These procedures are constantly reviewed, especially in such situations as the current security alert.
I am going on a scuba-diving / winter sports holiday. How do I transport equipment such as airtanks and CO2 cartridges for buoyancy aids and avalanche packs?
Air tanks for diving cannot be carried. Small non-toxic gas cylinders, for use in life jackets or avalanche packs, may only be carried in the cabin where the cylinder has a maximum capacity of 100ml or less. The cylinder must be capable of being detached and placed inside your personal liquid bag. This is unlikely to be the case so we strongly suggest that it is carried as hold baggage. You must check with your airline as they must approve the carriage of such items in the hold.
Can I carry sports equipment such as flippers and fishing tackle in my hand baggage?
Yes, providing it complies with your airline's hand baggage regulations. There are limitations on sharp objects and so you should double-check that none of your equipment is covered by those restrictions.
Can I still padlock my hold luggage? Or does it have to be left open?
Yes, you can still padlock it or use a combination lock. However, please note that luggage which is checked in the USA must either be left unlocked or locked with a special padlock approved by the TSA. Your airline will be able to provide further details.
Shopping after security
Can I still buy and carry on my tax-free and duty-free goods?
Yes, absolutely (but to be clear, for liquid items this is only the case if they are purchased after security control). Alternatively, if you are flying within the EU you can have your purchases stored until you come back using our Shop & Collect service. Just ask any of the retailers at the till.
Can I buy water and food in the departure lounge to take on board the flight?
Yes. You can take water on board all flights, including flights to the USA.
Can I buy duty-free and tax-free goods if I am flying to the USA?
Yes. If you are on a direct flight to the USA you can "fly with everything you buy" after security. If you are transferring within the USA or Canada you will need to place any purchases over 100ml in your hold baggage, which all passengers have to pick up before transferring to their next flight. Please speak to a member of store staff for details.
Connections and transfers
I am transferring through your airport. Can I carry liquid items in my hand luggage if they were purchased in the duty free store at my previous airport?
If your journey involves transferring or transiting through any BAA airport, you may be permitted to carry liquids, aerosols or gels – including duty free – through security in either of the following cases:
- The items have been bought in the passenger-only zone at an airport in the European Union*, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier or one from Norway, Iceland or Switzerland . The items must be packaged in a sealed tamper-proof bag provided by the airport/airline, inside of which is proof of purchase showing that the items were bought on the day of travel.
OR
- The items have been bought in the passenger-only zone at one of the following airports: all international airports in Canada and the USA; Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar and Zagreb in Croatia; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; or Changi in Singapore. The items must be packaged in a sealed tamper-proof bag provided by the airport, inside of which is proof of purchase showing that the items were bought within the last 36 hours.
* The EU member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Security control
What do I need to do with my transparent resealable bag?
Have it ready for inspection at security. Ensure it is fastened closed and kept separate to your hand luggage.
What else can I do to help me get through security faster?
- Remove laptops and other large electrical equipment from your bag and place them in a tray.
- Put all small items like keys, coins and mobile phones into your coat or hand baggage, then place these into a tray.
- If you have liquids in containers of 100ml or less, put them into a clear resealable bag, which should be placed alongside other items in your tray.
- If you have been asked to remove your shoes, place these in the tray too.
- Place hand baggage onto the roller bed for X-ray screening.
- Any liquid/paste medicines in containers over 100ml may require verification at the security checkpoint.
- Go through the security archway when called forward by one of the security officers.
