SECURITY REGULATIONS FOR HAND BAGGAGE   

The latest EU security regulations and hand baggage rules were adopted for Switzerland by the Swiss Federal Office for Civilian Aviation and apply to all passengers departing from an airport in the EU or Switzerland.

 

The valid regulations at a glance
  • The amount of liquids, gels and creams is restricted to 100 ml per container (see table).
  • The liquids must be stowed in a sealable, transparent plastic bag with a volume of no more than one litre.
  • The special plastic bags are available in retail or at the airport.
  • The plastic bag must be presented separately at the security check (as is already required e.g. for laptops)
  • Only 1 bag per passenger is allowed on board.

Due to the new EU rules on hand baggage, waiting times at the security checks of European airports may increase. SWISS advises passengers to come to the airport early and to observe the new security regulations.Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Where do the hand baggage rules apply?

From To Liquids permitted
Anywhere USA max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Brasil Anywhere
max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Canada Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
China (Rep. of) Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Egypt Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
EU Country
Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Hong Kong Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
India*
Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Iceland Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Japan Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Norway Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Russia Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Saudi Arabia Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Serbia Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Singapore Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
South-Africa Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Switzerland Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Thailand Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
Tunesia
Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
UAE Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre
USA
Anywhere max. 100 ml per container
max. 1 transparent plastic bag: 1 litre

*The security check at India airports permits only 1 piece of hand baggage per passenger.

Definition of liquids / The following products are regarded as liquids
  • creams
  • deodorants
  • shower gels
  • peanut butter
  • liquid lipstick, e.g. gloss
  • liquid mascara
  • white cheese
  • gels
  • beverages of any kind
  • hair gels
  • any kind of foam
  • yoghurt
  • mixtures of liquids and solid matter
  • lotions
  • oil
  • paste
  • perfume
  • shaving foam
  • roll-on deodorants
  • chocolate spread
  • syrup
  • sprays
  • spray cans
  • soups
  • water
  • soft and process cheese, e.g. camembert
  • toothpaste
  • or products of similar consistency
The following products are not regarded as liquids
  • peanut butter sandwich
  • solid lipsticks
  • hard cheese, e.g. edam, parmesan
  • powder
  • sandwich with chocolate spread
  • talcum powder

Medication
Indispensable medication in liquid form is allowed. The amount is equivalent to the requirements during the flight, e.g. medicine for diabetics. Depending on the situation, a medical certificate in English language may be helpful.

Baby food
Baby milk and liquid baby food are allowed.

 
Rules for the plastic bag

SWISS recommends its passengers to place liquids, pharmaceuticals etc. in a commercially available sealable plastic bag already when packing. The volume of the plastic bag should not exceed 1 litre. The plastic bags are available at retail shops.

Liquids from duty free sales at the airport
  • Liquids you bought before the security check
    The liquids must be kept in sealable manipulation-proof packaging. The same packaging must contain proof of the purchase of the item on the day of departure from the respective airport.
  • Liquids you bought after the security check
    These liquids are allowed. Passengers for onward flights also have to use sealable, manipulation-proof packaging including proof of purchase at the respective airport on the day of the flight.
  • Liquids you bought at another EU airport (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway)
    These liquids are allowed. All passengers have to use sealable, manipulation-proof packaging including proof of purchase at the respective airport on the day of the flight.
  • Liquids from duty free sales on board
    These liquids are allowed, also by the security check of the respective transfer airport. All passengers have to use sealable, manipulation-proof packaging including proof of purchase at the respective airport on the day of the flight.

Rules for round trips on the same day
Passengers with a going and return flight on the same day are allowed to carry liquids they purchased on board. The prerequisite is a sealable, manipulation-proof packaging containing proof of the purchase on board.

Special rules for flights to the USA
For flights to the USA, liquids from tax-free sales are only allowed if purchased in specially designated US security areas, which are located behind the security check. Tax-free purchases outside these areas are not allowed on board even if sealed.

Example: You travel from Athens via Zurich to New York. Which rules apply?

Tax-free purchase of liquids in Athens
not permitted
Flight Athens-Zurich (duty free)
not permitted
Tax-free purchase Zurich before security check
not permitted
Tax-free shop after security check only in specially designated USA security area
permitted
Purchase of liquids on board the flight Zurich-New York permitted

Travellers with onward flights have to include these items (including duty free goods purchased on board) with their registered, checked-in baggage after landing in the USA, as the same security regulations apply all over the USA.

Information for travellers departing from an airport outside the EU and transferring in Switzerland
In principle, the security regulations of the original airport of departure apply. In addition, the security regulations of the transfer airport in Switzerland must be taken into account. Liquids from the duty free shop of your departure airport outside the EU or Switzerland are not allowed on your onward flight, even if sealed. (Exception: Singapore)

You can buy liquid duty free items without any restrictions if
  • the items are bought on board your SWISS flight to Switzerland (unless your final destination is the USA).
  • the items are purchased in the duty free shops during your stopover in Switzerland.

All these items must be sealed after purchase in order to pass the security checks at all airports in Switzerland or EU countries without any problem.