Barcelona Airport Rules on Liquids and Prohibited Items
Your Guide to Packing Properly for Your Flight from BCNProhibited Items When Traveling from BCN Airport
For safety reasons, certain items are prohibited during air travel, while others are subject to quantity or other restrictions. Overall, rules are stricter for hand luggage, whereas passengers have more freedom with checked baggage. Still, there are restrictions that apply to hold luggage as well.
Carry-on Rules and Restrictions
Carry-on rules and restrictions are stricter regarding hand luggage, as it is stored inside the aircraft cabin and not in its lower compartments. Moreover, each airline sets its own policy concerning the size of hand luggage so that it fits in the overhead space. It’s important to remember that carry-ons must be stored in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of the passenger during the flight. So, what can you pack in your hand luggage for your flight from Barcelona Airport?
Liquid Rules for Hand Luggage
Passengers can pack liquids inside their carry-ons, including cosmetics, perfumes, creams, aerosols, foams, toothpastes, shampoo, medicines, and children’s food. However, quantity restrictions apply. Thus, they must not exceed 100ml and should be placed in containers with a capacity of 100ml or less, with all containers fitting into a transparent 1-liter bag. Each passenger can carry one such bag. Please note that airport staff may check and open any suspicious items and request a prescription for medicines and medical equipment. Items (cosmetics, drinks, perfumes) purchased at the airport must remain in the sealed bag provided at purchase and be accompanied by the receipt.
Our Tip: Discussions are currently taking place among EU members regarding liquid restrictions and their potential removal.
Permitted and Banned Items
Travelers are allowed to carry food for personal consumption. That being said, restrictions may apply to animal and dairy products depending on the regulations of the destination country. Additionally, they can pack laptops, mobile phones, tablets, external batteries or hard drives, smart suitcases, e-cigarettes, and other devices with lithium batteries, provided they handle them carefully and the batteries don’t exceed 100Wh. Walking sticks (when needed for mobility), trekking poles (which can be packed inside the suitcase), baby carriages, strollers, cots, baby seats, and cremation urns (accompanied by the death or cremation certificate for animals) are also permitted onboard.
Conversely, the following items are banned and can’t be packed in hand luggage for flights from Barcelona Airport:
- Weapons and firearms
- Sharp and blunt objects
- Devices that launch projectiles
- Devices designed to stun or immobilize
- Dangerous tools
- Explosives
- Flammable substances and devices
- Chemical and toxic substances
Checked Luggage Rules and Restrictions
Rules are less strict for items stored in checked luggage. Thus, travelers can pack small quantities of dairy and animal products produced in the EU, as well as in Andorra, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland. However, products must be designated for personal consumption and not commercial use. Moreover, they can carry plants and plant products, provided they are accompanied by Official Phytosanitary Passports. Alcohol and tobacco are also permitted in limited quantities, along with cultural objects, rare plants and their derivatives, and live animals. As for officially licensed weapons, they may be checked in as long as they are unloaded and properly packaged. Ammunition should be separately packaged and not weigh more than 5kg. Travelers must fill out the Form 790, pay the relevant fee, and present their firearms license and the firearm’s owner’s guide. Further restrictions may apply depending on the destination country. Make sure to check the applicable regulations to avoid issues during customs clearance at your destination airport.
Bicycles, golf bags, and bulky musical instruments are regarded as special luggage. They must be checked in separately, at designated points, and be packaged to avoid damaging other luggage. Please note that each airline sets its own conditions and fees for bulky luggage.
Computers, smartphones, tablets, cameras, smart suitcases, toys, and other devices with lithium batteries can be stored in hold luggage, provided the power per device doesn’t exceed 100Wh. On the other hand, external batteries and e-cigarettes can only be carried in hand luggage. Finally, lithium battery wheelchairs are permitted upon agreement with the airline. In any case, their battery mustn’t exceed 300Wh, and must be removed and properly packed in the aircraft cabin.
Prohibited Items in Checked Luggage
The following items are restricted and can’t be packed inside checked luggage:
- Explosives
- Gases
- Flammable liquids and substances
- Substances that are oxidants and organic peroxides
- Radioactive materials
- Toxic or infectious materials
- Corrosives
- Electronic cigarettes
- External batteries
- Engine parts that have held fuel
FAQs
Are there liquid restrictions at Barcelona Airport?
Yes, there are liquid restrictions for hand luggage at Barcelona Airport. Hence, passengers can carry liquids in containers that don’t exceed 100ml. All containers must be placed in a transparent bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. Each traveler is allowed to carry one such bag. However, these restrictions do not apply to hold luggage, except for prohibited liquids such as flammables.
Do liquids have to be in a clear bag at Barcelona Airport?
Yes. If you want to carry liquids in your hand luggage (restrictions don’t apply to checked luggage), you should place their containers in a transparent, resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. Each passenger, including children, can pass one such bag through the security control.