Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports
Medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements
You’re allowed to carry the following in your hand luggage:
- essential medicines of more than 100ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers
- medical equipment, if it’s essential for your journey
You’ll need to carry proof that the medication is prescribed to you (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription) if it’s both:
- in liquid form
- in a container larger than 100ml
You do not need to show proof if the medication is either:
- in tablet form
- liquid in a container that’s 100ml or smaller
There are different rules if you are travelling with medicine that contains a controlled drug.
Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point. Medical equipment is screened separately.
| Allowed in hand luggage | Allowed in hold luggage | |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets and capsules | Yes | Yes |
| Essential liquid medicines | Yes | Yes |
| Hypodermic syringes | Yes | Yes |
| Inhalers | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling gel packs | Yes | Yes |
| Medical equipment (for example CPAP and TENS machines) | Yes | Yes |
| Special food and liquids needed for medical reasons | Yes | Yes |
| Ice packs | Contact the airport | Yes |
| Oxygen cylinders | Contact your airline | Contact your airline |