Getting organised for airport security is more stressful than ever, from remembering your boarding pass and vaccination certificates to PLFs and PCRs, not to mention packing your liquids in a transparent bag. And now, there's powders to think about too. If you're finding the latest powder restrictions confusing, we're here to make them clear, so if you are travelling this year, you can travel easy.
What is the latest airport security news?
In 2018 the USA and Australia imposed airport restrictions on powder products, including food cosmetics. It was thought the UK and other countries would follow suit, but so far, no other major nations have.
The UK Government website states "Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays."
How will this affect me?
The new regulations came into effect in April 2018 in the USA and in Australia on the 30th June 2018. This means that anybody taking an international flight out of either of these countries, will need to comply with the new powder restrictions.
What products are classed as powder?
Australia's Department of Home Affairs, classes powder as "fine dry particles produced by the grinding, crushing, or disintegration of a solid substance", so this refers to anything in a powder form: loose particles or compressed materials. The new regulations originally covered all powders, both organic and inorganic, but not restrictions only apply to inorganic.
- Organic powder is defined as powder derived from living matter, such as food and baby formula.
- ‘Inorganic’ powder such as beauty products like talcum, baby, foot and deodorant powder are restricted and must be displayed at airport security. The total amount of these inorganic powder products must be 350g or less.
So, for Australia, there are no restrictions on baby powder or food powder in your hand luggage, but an item such as talcum powder must weigh less than 350g in total.
In the US, the Transport Security Administration have declared that any powder in hand luggage may require additional screening so it is important to be aware they might do further searches and investigations into your powder products.
- There is currently no restriction on how many ‘organic’ powders you can fly with, but they must be displayed when you go through security.
- These powders include food such as coffee and protein powders
- Cosmetic powders (loose or pressed) including bronzer, blusher and foundation.
A standard makeup compact powder is 10g, but there are no restrictions to the amount of 'organic' powder products in your hand luggage and they do not need to go in your transparent liquid bag. However, they must be taken out of your hand luggage and placed in the security trays as requested.
If you are travelling with any restricted 'inorganic' powders that weigh over 350g, then you will have to pack these in your checked in suitcase, they are not allowed in hand luggage. This could be a sachet of protein powder, that normally weighs 1kg, or multiple bottles of baby powder.
Our travel wash bags are designed to make packing and travel a breeze and with two new prints, Blue Shell and Charcoal Mandala, you can travel in style as well as ease. What makes them special are the detachable compartments and clear pouches, one of which is TSA compliant, so you can pre-pack in confidence that there will be no confiscations or complications at airport security. See our full collection of hanging wash bags and travel makeup bags in a variety of different and stylish prints.
Got any more information about restrictions, or questions about travelling with powder products, then leave a comment and let us know.
Read Know Your Hand Luggage Liquid Allowances here & play our airport regulations quiz to check your liquid regulations knowledge.
Read more blogs post from our #travelwell series for tips and ideas when travelling or browse our full beauty bag collection
