Breaking the Liquid Barrier: TSA’s New Tech Might Finally Let You Travel with Your Favorite Shampoo

If you’ve flown in the last two decades, you’ve probably had The Talk with your toiletries.

“Sorry, giant bottle of conditioner—we just can’t do this anymore. It’s not you, it’s the 3.4-ounce limit.”

For nearly 20 years, U.S. travelers have been stuck cramming their gels, liquids, and creams into tiny containers, then performing a delicate game of Tetris inside a quart-sized clear bag. It’s been a long, clingy relationship. But thanks to some high-tech upgrades, we might finally be heading for a liquid liberation.

So, what’s changing?

The TSA has been hard at work rolling out new computed tomography (CT) scanners in some of the nation’s busiest airports—think Atlanta, JFK, and LAX. These scanners give agents a 3D look inside your carry-on, like an X-ray machine that’s had a few semesters of engineering school. They can even rotate and zoom in on items, meaning fewer bags need to be opened, and more passengers can glide through security without that awkward pause where they pull out your… whatever that squishy tube was.

This isn’t just about convenience—this is serious counter-terrorism tech. The original 3.4-ounce rule was a response to real threats using liquid explosives. The 100ml cap was the limit of what could do cabin-damaging harm, which is why we’ve all been decanting our sunscreen ever since. But with CT scanners offering a clearer picture (literally), the TSA is loosening its grip on some liquid items.

What can we bring through now?

The TSA has already approved 11 specific types of items that no longer need to squeeze into your tiny clear bag. Some of them make sense. Others… well, let’s just say they make the list a bit more interesting.

Here’s what’s officially allowed in full-size form:

• Over-the-counter medications – Because sometimes you need the big bottle of antacids.
• Prescription meds in liquid, gel, or aerosol form – Just keep those labels handy.
• Ice or gel packs for medically necessary items – Yes, your insulin and your chilled eye drops are safe.
• Food and drink for infants and toddlers – Including formula and snacks, which, let’s be honest, some adults need too.
• Wet batteries – For essential equipment like mobility devices. It’s not the fun kind of wet, but TSA gets it.
• Live fish in water – Bet you didn’t expect Nemo to be TSA-approved.
• Biological specimens – Hopefully not something you forgot in your backpack.
• Breast milk and baby formula – Even if you’re traveling solo. TSA doesn’t gatekeep parenthood.
• Liquid-filled teethers – For babies (or teething adults—we don’t judge).
• Duty-free items in tamper-evident bags – If it’s sealed and fancy, it’s flying with you.
• Fresh eggs – Yes. Eggs. Raw. Fragile. As expensive as your next mortgage payment. Fly at your own risk.

And here’s the exciting part…

The TSA is now testing full-sized items like shampoo, body wash, sunscreen, and perfume. If all goes according to plan, these everyday essentials could soon make a triumphant return to your carry-on in their original, gloriously full-size form.

Can we get an amen for being able to pack your favorite shampoo again without turning it into a travel science experiment?

But (you knew there’d be a “but”)…

Not every airport is on the CT scanner bandwagon just yet. So before you happily toss that full-size body wash in your bag and skip through security, check your departure airport’s website. This tech is still being rolled out, and some airports are operating under the old liquid restrictions.

Pro tips for blind and low vision travelers:

• Download the free myTSA app—it has a super helpful “What Can I Bring?” feature. It’s screen-reader friendly and saves a lot of stress.
• Still unsure? Reach out directly to @AskTSA on Twitter, Facebook Messenger, or even via text by sending “Travel” to 275-872. Yep, texting the TSA is a thing now.
• Start packing with an empty bag—this is TSA’s favorite advice, and honestly, it helps us know exactly what’s in there too.
• When you’re traveling with liquids that exceed the 3.4-ounce rule, especially medical or accessibility-related ones, let a TSA agent know before the bag hits the conveyor belt. They’re trained to assist (and remind them if they forget).

Final thoughts from the aisle seat

For those of us in the blind and low vision community, air travel already has enough mystery and unpredictability. So any move toward smoother, faster, and less stressful security screening is a welcome change. Whether you’re packing meds, adaptive tech, or just want your full-size bottle of lavender conditioner back, this new scanner tech is a hopeful sign of a more accessible and traveler-friendly future.

Here’s to fewer plastic baggies, shorter lines, and maybe—just maybe—fewer awkward security pat-downs.

See you at the gate,
—Ted & Fauna 🐾🧳