The Personal Care Item That TSA Could Confiscate (And What To Pack Instead)

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Nothing is more frustrating when you're trying to get through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at the airport than realizing that you accidentally packed something in your carry-on bag that isn't permitted. Whether it's having to throw out the fancy green juice you just paid $12 for, or a TSA agent takes away that full-sized bottle of Chanel N°5 that you got for Christmas, it can be very upsetting. Sure, the TSA's 3-1-1 rule about liquids and gels, including toiletries has been around since 2006, but it's easy to forget when you're in a rush. One oft-confiscated personal care item is perfume. While losing a newly purchased a bottle of water or saline solution for your contact lenses to the TSA may not break the bank for you, a bottle of expensive perfume or cologne very well might.

While some flyers get away with freezing certain liquids to get them through TSA (which is fine, as long as they're frozen completely solid), that won't work with perfume, as it often has alcohol in it. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't travel wearing your signature scent. There are ways to bring perfume in your carry-on bag that don't violate the 3-1-1 rule, including samples, a refillable atomizer, the cotton pad trick, and perfumed deodorant. 

The easiest way to bring your favorite perfume in your carry-on bag is to get a sample from a store and put it in your 3-1-1-compliant bag. However, you can make your own sample with a refillable atomizer like the Lisapack 8ml Travel Perfume Bottle 3-pack on Amazon for around $10. You can also saturate a cotton pad or cotton ball with your fragrance and put it in a Ziplock bag, squeezing out the air before you seal it. 

To avoid dealing with liquids at all, try a solid fragrance. There are plenty out there, including Aromi Delicious Solid Perfume on Amazon in a number of scents for around $15. If you wear a higher-end brand that doesn't make a solid perfume, see if they make a scented deodorant, like this Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Stick, or Armani Beauty Acqua di Giò. Many companies sell them, including Calvin Klein, Versace, and Thierry Mugler. They can be used the same way as solid perfume, and even sliced into small pieces and put into a little jar or baggie.

You may want to try out these tips, even if you're checking a bag. Take it from someone who has had a perfume bottle break in a suitcase; not only is it really difficult to get the scent out of your clothes and bag, but you might end up hating the scent by the end. If you must take it along with you, double wrap it in bubble wrap and a sealable bag. Finally, if you're not planning to check a bag, here are five items that you should pack in your carry-on, including even more solid toiletries to get around the 3-1-1 rule.