Last Updated on August 15, 2022
You’ll be aware of the 3-1-1 rule that restricts how much liquid you can bring on a plane in hand luggage.
But what about toothpaste?
Is toothpaste a liquid?
Let’s find out.
Is Toothpaste Considered A Liquid By The TSA When Flying
Scientists say that a liquid ”conforms to the shape of a container in which it is held”. It needs to flow in the presence of gravity.
But it doesn’t matter what scientists say!
The Transportation Security Administration police the airport security checkpoint.
They are the bosses here. If the TSA says toothpaste counts as a liquid then it will be restricted in hand baggage.
You’ll be glad that you checked before you packed your suitcase. Unlike Kat who lost her toothpaste:
Toothpaste is considered a liquid by the TSA. But it doesn’t need to be considered to be a liquid.
Here’s what the TSA say:
The easiest way to figure out if an item must follow our liquids rule, is if you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it, spray it or spill it.
It’s not only liquids that follow the liquids rule. Lotions, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes are also considered liquids as per the 3-1-1 rule.
They only call it the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule because the 3-1-1 Liquids, Lotions, Gels, Aerosols, Creams and Pastes Rule is a bit of a mouthful!
They TSA are not dumb. They probably consider toothpaste to be a paste… the clue is in the name!
Anyway, you get the point.
The key takeaway is that pastes including toothpaste must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule too.
So for the TSA toothpaste is basically considered to be a liquid meaning that you can only pack toothpaste in hand luggage in tubes less than 3.4 ounces.
Toothpaste must be packed also in your one quart size bag.
Unless…
Prescription Toothpaste TSA Rules
If your toothpaste is a medically necessary liquid (or paste) then it doesn’t need to follow the TSA liquids rule.
Watch how Juliet bends the rules so she can bring an oversize tube of toothpaste:
If you say the magic words “medically necessary liquid” then the TSA will screen your toothpaste separately.
You need to let TSA officers know that it’s a prescription toothpaste and place it in a separate bin for x-ray screening.
But don’t be a jerk about it. The lines at airport security are long enough without people trying to cheat the system.
Only bring oversize toothpaste if it really is medically necessary.
The Bottom Line
When flying toothpaste counts as a liquid and must follow the TSA’s liquids rule if packed in carry-on bags.
The only exception is if the toothpaste is a ‘medically necessary liquid’.
If you’re bringing toothpaste that is prescribed there is no need to provide a doctor’s note.
Prescription toothpaste can be packed hand luggage in containers larger than 3.4 ounces.
For checked baggage there is no rule and you can pack ask much toothpaste as you like.
And by the way…
It’s the size written on the tube of toothpaste that counts not how much toothpaste is remaining in the tube.