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Six ChapStick lip balm sticks in different flavors standing upright in a row

Photo: ChapStick lip balm.jpg by Jorge Barrios Riquelme (CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

Can you take lip balm on a plane?

Carry-on in JapanYes, within limits
Checked bag in JapanYes

In Japan lip balm is allowed in carry-on with conditions, and in checked bags.

Carry-on: Yes. A stick lip balm is not treated as a liquid: Japan's liquids list excepts stick types. Gel-type lip balm, lip gloss and gel-type lipstick are on the list, so on international flights each one must be 100ml (g) or less and go in the 1 litre transparent bag. Checked baggage: Yes.

Lip balm on flights in and from Japan

On a domestic flight the 100ml liquid limit does not apply. On an international flight it does.

Lip balm: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinYes, within limitsYes. A stick lip balm is not treated as a liquid: Japan's liquids list excepts stick types. Gel-type lip balm, lip gloss and gel-type lipstick are on the list, so on international flights each one must be 100ml (g) or less and go in the 1 litre transparent bag.
In checked baggageYesYes.
Domestic flights in Japan
The 100ml liquid limit does not apply.
International flights from Japan
Each container 100ml or less, all of them inside one transparent re-sealable bag of 1 litre or less, one bag per person.

Narita Airport's FAQ says lip balm and lipstick are not subject to the carry-on liquid limit if they are solid.

Carry-onChecked bag
Carry-on liquid limits: exemptions, connections and the rule in each countryCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yes

Lip balm: stick, pot or gloss decides the answer

The same product name covers a solid stick and a soft gel, and the lists split it along that line.

Stick in one version, solid in the other
Japan's exception is not worded the same way everywhere. The Japanese list excepts stick-shaped products (スティック状の物を除く) from its gel-type lip balm entry. The English version of that note reads Except solid lipstick, and Narita Airport's FAQ uses solid for lip balm too. A firm balm sold in a pot or tin is not described in any of these wordings.
Some lists write lip balm down as a liquid with no stick note
South Korea's entry for lip balm (립밤) applies the cabin liquids control on international flights and has no line about sticks. Hong Kong's airport FAQ names lip balm in its definition of liquids, aerosols and gels, although a later answer says all solid cosmetics can be taken on board. The UK CAA's safety advice counts lipsticks as liquids.
Lip gloss is on the liquid side wherever it is named
Japan's list gives Lip gloss as an example in its gel-type lip products entry. GOV.UK ends its cosmetics line with mascara and lip gloss. Australia's Home Affairs sorts its examples by type and puts Lip gloss under Gels, and Taiwan's CAA names 唇蜜 (lip gloss) with liquid foundation and mascara as cosmetics that still have to meet the limit.
Bringing it into Japan
The health ministry, not airport security, sets what can enter the country. Its Q&A on personal imports puts リップクリーム (lip balm) in the lipstick class of cosmetics. The limit is 24 per item, and the ministry's page for travellers uses lipstick as its example: up to 24 regardless of brand or color. The lipstick class is left out of the larger figure for small products.
Carry-onChecked bag
Make-up (foundation, lipstick)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsVaseline (petroleum jelly)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditions

Lip balm: the rule country by country

In the United States and Taiwan the authority's page lists lip balm as allowed in carry-on.

Lip balm: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauWith limitsYesA stick lip balm is not treated as a liquid: Japan's liquids list excepts stick types. Source
United StatesTSAYesYesChapsticks and lipsticks are each listed as allowed in carry-on and checked bags.TSA entry: Chapsticks, Lipsticks Source
United KingdomUK GovernmentWith limitsYesThe UK CAA counts lipsticks and cosmetic items of a similar consistency as liquids in hand baggage; GOV.UK lists lip gloss. At most airports containers larger than 100ml cannot go through security. Pack liquids in hold baggage if you can. Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365With limitsYesLip balm is listed. Domestic flights: allowed in cabin and hold. International flights: it falls under the cabin liquids control, 100ml or less per container in one 1L clear zip bag per person. Lip gloss is listed the same way. Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation AdministrationYes—Solid cosmetics such as lipstick, lip balm and pressed powder are not restricted and can be carried on. Gel or liquid lipstick and lip gloss must meet the carry-on liquid limit on international flights. Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation DepartmentWith limitsYesLip balm and lip gloss are listed among LAGs, while all solid cosmetics such as a standard lipstick can be taken on board. LAGs in hand baggage: containers up to 100ml, inside the 1-litre plastic bag. Source

Each row comes from that authority's own page. Airlines can be stricter, and the screening officer has the final say.

If security in Japan will not let lip balm through

What to do
Move lip balm to the bag you check in before you reach security. Narita Airport states that anything given up at the checkpoint is discarded and cannot be returned.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take lip balm on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. A stick lip balm is not treated as a liquid: Japan's liquids list excepts stick types. Gel-type lip balm, lip gloss and gel-type lipstick are on the list, so on international flights each one must be 100ml (g) or less and go in the 1 litre transparent bag. In checked baggage: Yes.

Does lip balm count as a liquid at airport security?

A stick does not in Japan, and a gel does. Japan's liquids list names gel-type lip balms as a restricted item and leaves stick-shaped ones out. Taiwan's CAA draws the same line in its Q&A: solid cosmetics such as lipstick and lip balm are not restricted and can be carried on board.

Is lip gloss or liquid lipstick allowed in hand luggage?

Yes, as a liquid in a small container. Hong Kong's airport FAQ says lip gloss can be taken on board in containers up to 100ml and has to go in a 1-litre plastic bag. South Korea lists lip gloss (립글로스) under its cabin liquids control on international flights and allows it in the cabin and the hold on domestic ones.

Do I need to put a lip balm stick in the liquids bag at a UK airport?

The UK wording points that way. The UK CAA's safety advice says liquids include lipsticks and other cosmetic and toiletry items of similar consistency, and GOV.UK's list of liquids names lip gloss. Neither text quoted here uses the stick exception that Japan's list has. GOV.UK sets the usual container size at 100ml at most airports.

Does the TSA allow lip balm in carry-on bags?

Chapsticks and lipsticks are each listed as allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

What is the rule for lip balm on flights from Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong?

Taiwan: Solid cosmetics such as lipstick, lip balm and pressed powder are not restricted and can be carried on. Gel or liquid lipstick and lip gloss must meet the carry-on liquid limit on international flights. South Korea: Lip balm is listed. Domestic flights: allowed in cabin and hold. International flights: it falls under the cabin liquids control, 100ml or less per container in one 1L clear zip bag per person. Lip gloss is listed the same way. Hong Kong: Lip balm and lip gloss are listed among LAGs, while all solid cosmetics such as a standard lipstick can be taken on board. LAGs in hand baggage: containers up to 100ml, inside the 1-litre plastic bag.

Related items

Carry-onChecked bag
Make-up (foundation, lipstick)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsVaseline (petroleum jelly)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsHand creamCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsSunscreen (cream and lotion)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsLiquids (the 100ml rule)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yesZip-lock bags for liquidsCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yes
Show all 18Sunscreen sprayCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsToner and lotionCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsFace washCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsPerfume and cologneCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsNail polish and removerCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsDeodorant and cooling sprayCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsShaving foam and gelCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsBath salts and bath oilCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsContact lens solutionCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsBar soapCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesWet wipesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesSheet masksCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yes

Back to What you can bring

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Sources for this page

Show all 17
  1. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT) — List and Description of LAGs Restriction (1 October 2015)
  2. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (updated 24 April 2026)
  3. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau — List of liquids covered by the quantity limits (Japanese, 1 October 2015)
  4. Narita International Airport — FAQ: prohibited items
  5. TSA — What Can I Bring?: Chapsticks
  6. UK Civil Aviation Authority — Safety advice on what to pack
  7. GOV.UK — Hand luggage restrictions: Liquids
  8. Aviation Security 365 (MOLIT / KOTSA) — Items restricted on the plane: 립밤 (lip balm)
  9. Aviation Security 365 (MOLIT / KOTSA) — Items restricted on the plane: 립글로스 (lip gloss)
  10. Taiwan CAA — Q&A on the new security measures for carry-on baggage (liquids, gels and aerosols)
  11. Hong Kong International Airport — Frequently asked questions: Security controls on liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)
  12. Australian Department of Home Affairs — TravelSECURE: What you can and can't bring
  13. Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong) — Frequently Asked Questions: Implementation of Security Controls for Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs)
  14. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan
  15. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Q&A on import procedures for medicines and medical devices, 30 June 2025 edition (Japanese)
  16. Taiwan CAA — Q&A on the security measures for carry-on baggage: liquids, gels and aerosols (Chinese)
  17. GOV.UK — Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports