Skip to main content

Can you bring baby formula on a plane?

In Japan baby formula is allowed in carry-on with conditions, and in checked bags. Carry-on: Yes. On international flights baby milk, formula and baby food are excepted from the 100ml limit only when the infant is travelling with you, and only in the quantity needed for the flight. Show them to the screener separately from your bag. Checked baggage: Yes. Pack what you will not need on board here.

Updated

Yes, within limitsCarry-on in Japan
YesChecked bag in Japan
9countries compared

Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yes

Baby formula on flights in and from Japan

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

Baby formula and liquid milk: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinYes, within limitsYes. On international flights baby milk, formula and baby food are excepted from the 100ml limit only when the infant is travelling with you, and only in the quantity needed for the flight. Show them to the screener separately from your bag.
In checked baggageYesYes. Pack what you will not need on board here.
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.

Screeners may ask for supporting evidence and can run an extra check on the liquid.

Narita AirportNarita says infant milk and food can be brought on board in the quantity needed for the flight if you travel with an infant; declare them separately at screening and put any extras in checked baggage.Narita International Airport FAQ
An open can of powdered infant formula with a scoop held by a hand
Photo: Infant formula.jpg by 국립국어원 (CC BY-SA 2.0 kr, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

Formula, breast milk and hot water: who must travel with the baby

The exception for baby milk is worded differently in each country, and the differences matter most when the baby is not with you.

Breast milk, baby food and baby drinks share one row
Japan's liquids list keeps a single exception row for baby food, breast milk and nutrition for expectant mothers, with baby formula and baby drinks as its examples. Narita's FAQ adds that breast milk is treated the same as medication. The row carries its own condition: the items are permitted as cabin baggage only for customers travelling with babies or infants.
Hot water for powdered formula
Narita's FAQ covers a parent carrying a thermos of hot water to dissolve powdered milk. Baby milk and baby food are exempt from the liquid carry-on restrictions, the parent is asked to pass the checkpoint with the infant, and the thermos is allowed into the cabin after the screeners confirm the hot water.
How the milk is checked
Japan's screeners may ask for evidence that the liquid is needed, beyond the passport and boarding pass. The Japanese-language edition gives eating or drinking as one form of that evidence and mentions an inspection by opening when there is doubt. The TSA says screening will never include placing anything into the liquid, and recommends clear, translucent bottles over plastic bags or pouches.

Baby formula: the rule country by country

In the United States the authority's page lists baby formula as allowed in carry-on.

Baby formula and liquid milk: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauWith limitsYesOn international flights baby milk, formula and baby food are excepted from the 100ml limit only when the infant is travelling with you, and only in the quantity needed for the flight. Source
United StatesTSAYesYesFormula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on bags and need not fit in a quart-sized bag. Tell the TSA officer and remove them for separate screening.TSA entry: Baby Formula, Breast Milk Source
European UnionEuropean Commission, EASAWith limits—Baby food and milk are permitted in hand luggage in quantities larger than 100 ml, but only for use during the trip. You may be asked to prove their authenticity. Source
United KingdomUK GovernmentWith limitsYesWith a baby you can take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey (no legal limit). Breast milk: containers up to 2,000ml, even without a baby. Frozen breast milk is not allowed in hand luggage. Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365With limitsYesLiquid milk falls under liquids, aerosols and gels. Carry-on is restricted on international flights only. Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation AdministrationWith limitsYesBaby milk and baby food needed for the trip may exceed the international carry-on liquid limit if you declare them to security staff at the checkpoint and get approval. Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation DepartmentWith limits—Baby milk and baby food can be exempted from the cabin liquid limits (containers of 100 ml or less in one 1-litre bag), subject to verification at security. Source
Mainland ChinaCAACWith limitsYesLiquid dairy products that an infant passenger needs during the journey can be carried on after confirmation at the security check. Liquids can also go in checked baggage. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASAWith limitsYesBaby formula and breast milk can be carried on or checked in. Powdered baby formula is an organic powder with no limit. Expressed breast milk is listed as a liquid: on international flights carry-on containers must be 100 mL or less.CASA Pack Right entry: Toddler, infant, baby formula, breast milk 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 baby formula through

What to do
Move baby formula 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.

Buying baby formula in Japan

Where to buy
Drugstores and supermarkets sell liquid formula in cartons.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bring baby formula on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. On international flights baby milk, formula and baby food are excepted from the 100ml limit only when the infant is travelling with you, and only in the quantity needed for the flight. Show them to the screener separately from your bag. In checked baggage: Yes. Pack what you will not need on board here.

Can you take breast milk or formula through security without the baby?

It depends on the country. Japan's exception applies only to passengers travelling with the infant. GOV.UK allows breast milk in hand luggage even if you are not travelling with a baby, in containers up to 2,000ml, but formula milk only when the baby is present. The TSA says your child does not need to be present or travelling with you to bring breast milk, formula and related supplies.

Can you take ice packs for breast milk through airport security?

Yes, with conditions that differ. Narita's FAQ allows a cooling agent only if it is packaged with the breast milk. The TSA allows ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs for formula and breast milk, regardless of the presence of breast milk. GOV.UK lists cooling gel packs and ice packs as allowed in hand luggage alongside baby milk, but not frozen breast milk.

Does the TSA allow baby formula in carry-on bags?

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on bags and need not fit in a quart-sized bag. Tell the TSA officer and remove them for separate screening.

Can you take baby formula in hand luggage in the UK or Europe?

The United Kingdom: With a baby you can take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey (no legal limit). Breast milk: containers up to 2,000ml, even without a baby. Frozen breast milk is not allowed in hand luggage. The European Union: Baby food and milk are permitted in hand luggage in quantities larger than 100 ml, but only for use during the trip. You may be asked to prove their authenticity.

Can you put baby formula in checked luggage?

Yes. Pack what you will not need on board here.

What is the rule for baby formula on flights from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland China?

Taiwan: Baby milk and baby food needed for the trip may exceed the international carry-on liquid limit if you declare them to security staff at the checkpoint and get approval. Hong Kong: Baby milk and baby food can be exempted from the cabin liquid limits (containers of 100 ml or less in one 1-litre bag), subject to verification at security. Mainland China: Liquid dairy products that an infant passenger needs during the journey can be carried on after confirmation at the security check. Liquids can also go in checked baggage.

Related items

Sources for this page

Read more

Back to What you can bring

Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026