Security screening
Liquids at Canadian Airports
Every Canadian airport follows the same screening rules, set by CATSA. Here is how to pack liquids, gels and aerosols so your carry-on clears security first time.
In a nutshell
Pack liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 100 ml or less, and fit them all in one clear, resealable 1 litre bag — one bag per traveller. The rule is identical at every airport in Canada, whichever airline you fly. Medicine and baby supplies are the main exceptions.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Container size | 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less each — a bigger bottle with a little left in it is still refused |
| The bag | Everything fits in one clear, resealable plastic bag of up to 1 litre |
| Bags per person | One, shown separately at screening unless you are in a CT lane |
| Powders | Up to 350 ml in total in your carry-on (think coffee, talc, protein powder) |
| Checked baggage | No 100 ml limit — larger toiletries can travel in the hold |
Rules verified October 2026. Ticket type changes what you may bring, and carriers revise policies without much warning — glance at your booking confirmation before packing.
Allowed above 100 ml
These items may go over the limit, but take them out and tell the screening officer:
- Prescription medicine, and essential non-prescription items such as cough syrup, saline, eye drops and gel supplements.
- Baby formula, food, milk, juice and water when travelling with a child under two.
- Breast milk, with or without the baby.
- Juice or gels needed for diabetes or another medical condition, and distilled water for a CPAP machine.
- Ice or gel packs used for medicine or infant needs.
CT scanner lanes
Some security lines now use CT scanners, which let you keep laptops and permitted liquids inside your bag. The 100 ml limit still applies on those lanes. At the time of our last check, CT lanes were in use at:
- Vancouver (YVR)
- Edmonton (YEG)
- Calgary (YYC)
- Kelowna (YLW)
- Winnipeg (YWG)
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
- Ottawa (YOW)
- Montréal–Trudeau (YUL)
- Québec City (YQB)
- Halifax (YHZ)
Not every line at these airports has CT yet — follow the signs and the officer’s instructions.
Bottles and wash bags worth having
Refillable 100 ml bottles let you take your own shampoo and skincare, and a clear 1 litre bag keeps everything ready for the tray.
Common questions
Is the 100 ml limit the same at every Canadian airport?
Yes. Screening across Canada is run by one federal agency, CATSA, so the rule doesn’t change from airport to airport — or with your airline.
What does CATSA treat as a liquid?
Anything you can pour, spread, pump or scoop: drinks, soup, yogurt, peanut butter, jam, maple syrup, hummus, lotion, gel, toothpaste, perfume, mascara, sprays and even snow globes. If it isn’t solid at room temperature, pack it like a liquid.
Can I bring frozen liquids through?
Don’t count on it. A liquid food over 100 ml is not accepted just because it is frozen, so pack frozen soups or sauces in checked baggage.
Are medicines exempt?
Yes. Prescription medicine and essential non-prescription items — cough syrup, saline, eye drops, gel supplements — may exceed 100 ml. Take them out and tell the screening officer.
What about baby food and breast milk?
Formula, baby food, milk, juice and water are allowed above 100 ml when you travel with a child under two. Breast milk is permitted in larger amounts whether or not the child is with you. Declare these items at screening.
Can I carry duty-free liquor on a connecting flight?
Yes, if the shop seals it in an official tamper-evident security bag with the itemized receipt inside. Leave the bag closed until your final destination; the seal is valid for 48 hours.
Do CT scanners mean I can bring bigger bottles?
No. On CT lanes you may leave liquids and laptops inside your bag, but each container is still capped at 100 ml. Exempt items over 100 ml must still go in a bin.
Is alcohol allowed in my carry-on?
Only in containers of 100 ml or less inside your liquids bag. In checked bags, drinks up to 70% alcohol are allowed, with a 5 litre per-person limit for those between 24% and 70%.
Is solid food fine?
Solid food — sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, cheese — has no volume limit at security. Check the rules of your destination country before taking food across a border.