Can you bring bar soap on a plane?

Bar soap on flights in and from Japan

The rule for bar soap comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items and is the same on domestic and international flights.

Bar soap, liquid soap and where each list draws the line

A solid bar is not on Japan's liquids list

Japan's liquids list for international flights applies to liquids, gels, aerosols and articles that cannot keep their shape without the container. A bar of soap keeps its shape, and the soap row of the list names only liquid hand soap and shower gel. The TSA makes the same split with separate entries: Soap (Bar) has no size condition in carry-on, while Soap (Liquid) is limited to 3.4oz/100 ml.

Australia files soap under toiletries

CASA's Pack Right has an entry called Soap in its toiletries category. It can be carried on and checked in, and the toiletry quantities apply to it: each single item must not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5L, and the total per person is 2kg or 2L.

Shower gel and cleansing foam are a different item

Soap that comes as a gel or a liquid follows the container rule for carry-on on international flights from Japan. The list names liquid hand soap and shower gel in its soap row, and cleansing foam and makeup remover in its cleansing products row.

• Face wash
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Liquids (the 100ml rule)

Bar soap: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in Australia.

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

Related items

• Face wash
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Toner and lotion
• Liquids (the 100ml rule)
• Bath salts and bath oil