Security Regulations

Stricter security regulations at airports - Restrictions on liquids at security screening

Brochure

Questions and answers

When do the new rules take effect?
6 November 2006

What are the new rules?
Passengers may only carry a restricted quantity of liquids through security screening/in hand baggage.

What is hand baggage?
Baggage which passengers may carry on to the aircraft.

What liquids may be carried in hand baggage, and in what quantities?
Liquids may be carried in hand baggage on the following conditions:

Each item may not exceed 100 ml (1dl) of liquid.

• All containers must be carried in a transparent one (1) litre plastic bag with a zip seal.
• Each passenger may carry one plastic bag.
• Containers are: bottles, tubes and anything else that may contain liquids.
• Bottles and cans of soft drinks are generally larger than 100 ml, and hence may not be carried through security screening.

Can I take medications, baby food or other foods with me in my hand baggage?
Yes, the following may be carried:

• Medications, labelled with the user´s name, for the duration of the flight.
• Baby food
• Foods for special diets

A passengers may be required to prove what the contents are, if security staff so request.

What is a liquid?
All liquids, gels, creams, lotions, sprays etc., whether in bottles, spray cans, tubes or other packaging.
Items which are commonly carried, which are classified as liquids, are: soft drinks, liquor, perfume, moisturiser, toothpaste, lip gloss, hair spray, soap, shampoo, etc.

Can I take beverages though security screening?
No, beverages are not allowed through security screening, but passengers can purchase beverages in the departure area.

Can I take food through security screening?
Yes, food may be taken though security screening. Foodstuffs in liquid form must be in quantities not larger than 100 ml, and carried in a one-litre clear plastic bag, with a zip seal.

Can I take contact-lens fluid though security screening?
Yes, you can carry contact-lens fluid through security screening, in a quantity of not more than 100 ml (1dl). It must be in a one-litre clear plastic bag with a zip seal.

Can I carry face powder through security screening?
Yes, all cosmetics in solid form, including powder and lipstick.

Can I take batteries though security screening?
Yes

Can I purchase cosmetics, beverages and liquid foodstuffs after passing through security screening?
Yes, you may purchase any liquids after security screening, and carry them on board.

What is checked baggage?
Baggage checked in by the carrier, and carried in the hold of the aircraft.

What must I do before arriving at the terminal to check in for my flight?
When packing for your journey, bear in mind that make-up bags, toothpaste, hair products, perfume bottles, creams, after shave, deodorants, soaps, shaving cream and other similar items should preferably be packed in the baggage you plan to check in.

Also remember to pack in the baggage you plan to check in those items which are not permitted in hand baggage, such as scissors, nail files, penknives, etc. If such items are found in hand baggage at security screening, they are invariably removed and confiscated before the passenger can continue.

How can I speed up security screening?
Have your travel documents/ boarding pass and/or identification/passport ready for examination.
Be ready to place your hand baggage in one of the plastic trays on the conveyor belt in front of the x-ray machines, if applicable.

Do the following before you arrive at the security gate:

• Remove the plastic bag containing liquids from your hand baggage
• Remove your laptop computer or other larger electronic items from hand baggage
• Take off your coat, jacket. Remove your belt. Empty your pockets.

These items are screened separately

What happens if a prohibited item is found in hand baggage?
If a prohibited item (e.g. sharp objects, liquids in containers exceeding 100 ml) is found at security screening, the passenger is not permitted to carry them through security screening.

When the passenger reaches security screening, it is too late to place the prohibited item in checked baggage. Icelandic airports have no facilities for storage of prohibited items.

Can I purchase liquids in the departure area of the Air Terminal?
Passengers can, as hitherto, purchase any liquids and other goods in the waiting area of air terminals in the European Economic Area. Goods sold in these areas have been especially screened.

Must liquids purchased in the departure area of the Air Terminal be sealed?
If passengers are flying direct to their destination from Iceland, liquids purchased in the duty free area may be simply placed in hand baggage. In the case of transfer passengers, carefully examine these rules:

Flights from Iceland to countries in the European Economic Area requiring transfer:

Liquids purchased in a terminal shop after passing through security screening, or on board an aircraft, must be in a bag sealed by the store where it was purchased, until arrival at the destination.

When passing through security screening in the transfer country, the receipt must be produced at the departure gate on request, confirming the content of the bag and date of purchase.

In cases where transfer passengers reclaim their baggage before continuing their journey, it is advisable to place the purchases in the baggage to be checked in for the ongoing flight.

Flights from Iceland to North America (USA/Canada) requiring transfer:

Liquids bought in a store after passing through security screening or on board the aircraft, must be placed in baggage to be checked in before boarding the ongoing flight.

Passengers have an opportunity to do this after passing though Customs control on arrival at an airport in North America (USA/Canada).

Flights to Iceland from North America (USA/Canada) and other countries outside the European Economic Area:

Liquids purchased before check-in should be packed in baggage to be checked in.

Liquids purchased in stores after passing though security screening in North America (USA/Canada) and other countries outside the European Economic Area may not be carried in hand baggage into an air terminal in Iceland, even in sealed packaging.
Liquids purchased on board an aircraft registered in a member state of the European Economic Area may be brought into an air terminal in Iceland, if in a sealed bag. The passenger must be able to produce a receipt confirming the content and date of purchase, if security staff so request.

Note that when a liquid purchased has been placed in a sealed bag by the relevant store, the seal must not be broken when in the terminal or when travelling on an aircraft. If a passenger is subjected to a security search before leaving the terminal, and the seal has been broken, the passenger may not carry the liquid through security screening.

What items are prohibited?
Explosives, flammable gases, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, toxic and hazardous substances, radioactive materials, caustic substances, magnetised objects and anaesthetics.