London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow liquid rules: what you can take through security
At Heathrow you can carry liquids in containers of up to 2 litres each in your hand luggage, and leave them — and large electronics — in your bag when you go through security. Heathrow says this applies at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Liquid container limit
- 2 litres per container
- Liquids at the scanner
- Stay in your bag
- Clear plastic bag
- Not stated on the airport’s page
- Laptops and large electronics
- Stay in your bag
Before you join the security queue
- Empty any reusable metal or insulated bottle — Heathrow asks for these to be empty before security, even though plastic bottles up to 2 litres are fine.
- Leave liquids and laptops in your bag.
- Check your destination: two routes have their own extra rules (below).
Heathrow’s page doesn’t say whether you need a clear plastic bag, or whether your own containers must show their capacity. If you’re unsure, follow the instructions at the security lane.
Flying to Australia or the US
The 2 litres allowance doesn’t apply to everything that leaves Heathrow:
- Australia: liquids in containers over 100ml can’t be taken on those flights.
- United States: powders over 350g or 350ml aren’t allowed in your cabin bag.
Medicine and baby milk at Heathrow
- If you need more than 2 litres of liquid medicine for your journey, bring a prescription or a letter from your doctor.
- Baby food and milk must be in liquid form (not frozen), in containers of up to 2 litres. Metal or insulated containers aren’t permitted.
The GOV.UK exemptions still apply on top: essential medicines, special dietary food and baby food or milk can be carried in containers up to 2 litres at any UK airport.
Check a container at Heathrow
Coming home through a different airport
Heathrow’s rule only covers flights leaving Heathrow. If your return or connecting flight leaves from an airport with a 100ml limit — in the UK that includes Manchester, Stansted and Luton — a full-size bottle bought for the outbound trip won’t get through. Airports abroad set their own limits too.