Can you take sunscreen on a plane? Yes. On most Australian domestic flights there is no liquid limit, so a 140g tube can go in your carry-on. On international flights, and on domestic legs screened at an international terminal, each container must be 100 mL or 100 g or less, which means the 30g travel size goes in carry-on and the 140g goes in checked baggage.
Which Lullaby size goes where
| Flight | 30g travel size | 140g tube |
|---|---|---|
| Australian domestic | Carry-on | Carry-on (no liquid limit at most domestic screening points) |
| International, or domestic via an international terminal | Carry-on, inside your resealable liquids bag | Checked baggage |
The rules in detail
Australian domestic flights. Most domestic screening points do not apply the international liquids limit, so full-size sunscreen is fine in carry-on. The exception is a domestic leg that departs from an international terminal, where the international rule applies.
International flights. Each liquid, aerosol or gel container must be 100 mL or 100 g or less. Containers go together in one transparent, resealable plastic bag per passenger, with the four sides of the sealed area totalling no more than 80 cm (a 20 x 20 cm bag). A partly used larger container still exceeds the limit, so a half-empty 140g tube does not qualify.
Rules can change and airports differ, so check your airline and every airport on your route, including connections, against the current Australian Government carry-on guidance before you travel.
How much sunscreen to pack
A 30g tube is for the journey and the first day, not the whole trip. Plan the quantity around who is travelling, how much skin needs covering and how often you will reapply. For a family holiday, the Sunscreen Trio covers it: two 140g tubes for the main bag and a 30g for carry-on, the day bag or the pram. Both sizes are the same Lullaby SPF50+ Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, gentle enough for babies, made for the whole family.
Apply generously 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or towelling. It is water resistant up to 4 hours, which does not replace reapplication.
Looking after it while you are away
Keep the tube out of direct sunlight and heat between outings, in the shade or the day bag rather than on a towel in the sun. Check the expiry date before you pack. Our guide to sunscreen expiry and storage covers the signs a tube is past its best.
Your sunscreen packing check
- Check the rules for every flight and screening point on your route.
- 30g in carry-on for international flights; 140g in checked baggage.
- Pack enough for the whole stay, including reapplication.
- Check the expiry date.
- Take your hat, sunglasses and covering clothing. Sunscreen is one part of sun protection.
FAQs
Can you take sunscreen on a plane?
Yes. On most Australian domestic flights there is no liquid limit. On international flights each container must be 100 mL or 100 g or less and fit in your resealable liquids bag.
How much sunscreen can I take on a domestic flight in Australia?
At most Australian domestic screening points there is no limit on liquids, so a full-size 140g tube is fine in carry-on. If your domestic flight departs from an international terminal, the 100 mL or 100 g container limit applies.
Is sunscreen a liquid for air travel?
Yes. Lotions, creams and gels are treated as liquids at international screening, so the container-size limit applies to sunscreen.
Can I take a 140g sunscreen in carry-on?
On most Australian domestic flights, yes. On international flights, no: 140g is over the 100 g limit, so pack it in checked baggage and carry the 30g instead.
Can I take 30g sunscreen in hand luggage?
Yes. The 30g travel size is under the 100 g container limit and goes in your resealable liquids bag on international flights.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Use protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade alongside sunscreen.
Explore the 30g travel size, the 140g sunscreen, or compare sizes and sets.
