Macara is certainly one of the most essential and effortless parts of your daily make-up that can elevate your entire look in an instant. Are you traveling soon and wondering whether you can bring your favorite make-up item on the plane with you? You have come to the right place! This article will delve into this subject and discuss the TSA rules and airline policies that apply to the carriage of mascara on a plane.
Keep reading to learn all the essentials and get ready for a hassle-free travel experience.
What are the TSA Regulations on Mascara
The Transportation Security Administration, most commonly known as the TSA, is a United States government agency that is responsible for screening luggage and protecting the transportation system.
Generally, the TSA allows passengers to carry mascara on a plane. However, mascara, by extension, is considered a liquid. Hence, if you wish to pack it in your carry-on for easy access, you must make sure to adhere to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.
What is TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons?
The TSA has limited the quantity of fluid ounces you can carry on a plane. This generally applies to liquids, aerosols, and gel packs of all sorts. The 3-1-1 rule efficiency sums up the requirements and following it can help you pack accordingly.
The fluid limit rule for carry-on states that an individual can only carry 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) of liquid, gels, and aerosols per container. This quantity is under the international rule of carrying 100 milliliters. Breaking down the “3-1-1” part, the 3 stands for 3.4 ounces. Furthermore, the first 1 indicates that all 3.4-ounce containers must be placed in a clear ONE-quart bag (an average bag should be “7” by “8” to avoid problems with TSA). The last 1 specifies that each passenger is allowed ONE bag in total. Other than that, containers exceeding the 3.4-ounce limitation must be in a checked bag.
According to the TSA, all substances that can be spread, sprayed, and squeezed will be subject to the 3-1-1 rule. According to this criteria, mascara tubes are also considered liquid and you can carry them in 3.4-ounce containers. Furthermore, you can bring as many as you can fit comfortably in one clear quart-sized bag.
Other beauty products that may be subject to this rule include liquid foundation, Cream blush, Liquid concealer, Liquid eyeliner, lip gloss, Liquid/gel highlighter, gel-cream eye shadow palette, and other semi-liquid items.
Rules for checked baggage
As for the checked bags, The TSA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have stated that an individual can carry full-sized mascara tubes. There is no size restriction or quantity restriction on the carriage of mascara and other toiletries in checked luggage. However, your bag must be under the weight restrictions.
Considerations For International Travel
Since the luggage rules are more firm and inflexible on international flights, it may be a good idea to take higher precautions. Mascaras are usually categorized as cosmetic and personal care items, even on an international scale. You will see that domestic flights do not have as many restrictions when compared to travel itineraries with various countries, layovers, and connecting flights.
When it comes to mascara, International travel restrictions may pose more specifications than the original 3-1-1 rule. For instance, international flights require that the four sides of the plastic bag must not add up to more than 80 cm. Typically, the international air travel rules also say that solid makeup items such as powder foundation, lipstick, solid lip balm, eyeshadow pallets, blushes, and other powder makeup are easily allowed in your hand luggage. However, liquid makeup products or semi-liquid makeup items must be less than 3.4 oz in quantity, they must fit in one quart-sized bag, and each passenger must not carry more than one bag.
A little research on an airline’s specific rules will take you a long way and guarantee a smooth journey through airport security. You can check the updated regulations on the TSA website and learn about the destination country’s restrictions on their gov website.
How Can You Measure the Mascara Container
If you are unsure about the measuring part of packing mascara for carry-on luggage, there are some simple things to remember. Firstly, make sure to note that the TSA has placed a limit on the size of the container rather than the material inside. Meaning, that your 3.4-ounce container might as well contain 1-2 ounces of mascara inside.
With that in mind, you can check the container’s size by checking the label. If the label isn’t there, you can use the docker inspect command. This tool matches multiple types of objects and it can help you determine the size of your container. International travelers who have a different unit of measurement can go with the 100-milliliter approach and pack accordingly. If your container turns out to be too large for air travel, consider buying smaller containers and travel-friendly makeup of the same product.
Best Practices for Traveling With Mascara
If you are carrying your mascara on the plane, here are some tips to streamline the entire process.
- Most mascara containers fall well within the 3.4 oz requirement. However, you should check either way and ensure that your container is appropriate for carry-on luggage.
- If you are packing your mascara in checked baggage, consider putting it in a separate makeup bag. Not only will this prevent spillage and other damage but it will also organize your bag.
- Mascara in carry-on bags must be put in a clear plastic bag, as per the 3-1-1 liquid rule.
- Use travel-sized containers rather than large ones so you can keep your expensive makeup with you on the flight rather than having to put it in checked baggage.
- Remember that the final decision rests with the TSA officer. If they deem the product unsuitable for any reason or if it causes trouble with metal detectors, you’ll need to do as they instruct. Security officers may even subject you to additional screening.
- Make sure that your clear bag is quart-sized and accessible during the screening process. You are required to remove it from the carry-on and place it in a separate bin for inspection.
- In order to ensure a quick and worry-free experience, only pack the necessary liquid products. Toiletries, medicines, and cosmetics might be important but if you can easily get something at your destination then don’t carry it in your carry-on bag.
Final Thoughts
The TSA’s fluid-ounce limitation is an important part of traveling and the screening process. If you want to pass through security checkpoints without any hassle, make sure to comply with the liquid limits and follow the regulations. The 3-1-1 rule applies to liquid mascaras and several other items. The good news is that this rule is by international standards, meaning it’s efficient and useful on a larger scale.
In conclusion, we can only remind travelers to learn about updates to TSA guidelines and airline policies to avoid any problems. We hope this ultimate guide helped you with your doubts and answered your questions. If you have any further queries, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to help.
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