FAQs
Liquids in Carry-On Bags
Which liquids and amounts are allowed in hand luggage?
What happens if I need any medications or special food in liquid form?
How can I prepare for the checks at the airport?
Do I have to arrive at the airport earlier?
Questions About the Plastic Bag
What kinds of plastic bags are allowed?
Why do the plastic bags have to be reclosable?
What happens if I arrive at the airport without a plastic bag?
How is the plastic bag inspected?
What hasn't changed?
Shopping After the Boarding Card Check
Can I still make purchases in Duty Free and Travel Value shops as well as other airport stores after passing the boarding card check?
Can I still buy duty-free items on board?
What rules apply to flights to the United States?
Which flights are affected by the new regulations?
What happens if I arrive in the EU with a non-European airline or from a non-European airport or transfer at an EU airport?
For which countries do the new rules apply?
Liquids in Carry-On Bags
Which liquids and amounts are allowed in hand luggage?
The rule is that no containers holding liquids may be carried on board if they are larger than 100 ml. All such containers must be placed in a transparent, reclosable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than one liter, for example an ordinary freezer bag with a zipper. The bag may contain any number of containers, but it must be possible to completely close it. Please note that each passenger may only carry one such bag on board the aircraft.
We recommend that you reduce your hand luggage to a minimum and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.
What happens if I need any medications or special food in liquid form?
Exceptions are made for medications and special food (e.g., baby food and diet foods) that will be needed during the flight. These articles may be carried outside the plastic bag, but they must be separately inspected at the security check. In cases of doubt, the security personnel may require you to prove that you require the products involved during the flight.
How can I prepare for the checks at the airport?
It is advisable to pack all liquids in your suitcase and reduce your carry-on luggage to a minimum. If you take any containers with liquids on board the aircraft, they may not hold more than 100 ml and have to be placed in a transparent, reclosable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than one liter. The bag may hold any number of containers, but it must be possible to completely close it.
Do I have to arrive at the airport earlier?
All personnel at the airport naturally do their best to make check-in and the security checks as pleasant as possible for you. Please ask your airline or travel office how far in advance of your flight you should arrive at the airport.
Questions About the Plastic Bag
What kinds of plastic bags are allowed?
You may use any plastic bag of your choice (for example, a freezer bag) provided that it is transparent and reclosable (e.g., using a zipper) and does not have a capacity larger than one liter. The closure must be integrated in the bag; it may be, for example, a zipper, velcro fastener, clip or drawstring. Not allowed are wires, adhesive tape or the like.
Why do the plastic bags have to be reclosable?
The security personnel at Frankfurt Airport is required to inspect the contents of the plastic bags. They must therefore be able to open and reclose them.
What happens if I arrive at the airport without a plastic bag?
Plastic bags may be purchased in all shops selling books and periodicals at the airport. However, we recommend that you obtain a bag beforehand and arrive at the airport with your carry-on luggage already packed.
How is the plastic bag inspected?
The bag must be placed on the belt of the x-ray machine separately from other hand luggage.
What hasn't changed?
The new rules only affect liquids in your hand luggage. You may still transport liquids in your checked luggage as usual, provided that you observe the restrictions on carrying hazardous goods.
Shopping After the Boarding Card Check
Can I still make purchases in Duty Free and Travel Value shops as well as other airport stores after passing the boarding card check?
No problem: all merchandise sold in the areas after the boarding card check has already been subjected to special security checks. You may therefore continue to buy any items you please as usual.
Liquids are sealed by the personnel in special bags, which you may not open until after arriving at your final destination. The special seal, together with your receipt of purchase, let you carry the merchandise through security checks on the same day you bought it. You should keep the receipt handy during your entire trip. This applies to security checks at Frankfurt Airport and all other airports within the EU, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
There is no limit to the number of duty-free bags that you may carry on board. The customs regulations naturally continue to apply.
Can I still buy duty-free items on board?
All articles sold on board the aircraft of airlines registered in the EU are also subjected to special security checks. You may therefore continue to purchase these articles. The same rules apply as at EU airports.
What rules apply to flights to the United States?
In some cases there may be restrictions on carrying purchased duty-free items into the United States. Please ask the sales personnel of our Duty Free shops.
Which flights are affected by the new regulations?
The new rules affect all flights departing from or passing through an airport in the EU, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
The EU rules also apply fully in these cases.
For which countries do the new rules apply?
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom.
