Can you take wet wipes on a plane? Rules by country

Wet wipes on flights in and from Japan

The rule for wet wipes comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items. On international flights its liquids list applies as well.

Wet wipes: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan

Where	Allowed?	What applies
In the cabin	Yes	Yes. Japan's liquids list names wet tissues among the items outside the liquid limit: on international flights they can be carried on in any quantity and do not need to be declared to the screener. Make-up remover wipes are on the same list, as cleansing cotton sheets.
In checked baggage	Yes	Yes.

Narita Airport's FAQ gives the same answer for wet wipes and make-up remover wipes. Japan's list has one entry for wet tissues and does not split it by type, so body wipes, baby wipes and sanitising wipes are read under it.

Wet wipes by type: baby wipes, make-up wipes, alcohol wipes

A wipe holds its liquid inside a sheet, so the answer turns on whether a list counts the sheet or the liquid.

A pack can stay inside the bag at a Japanese checkpoint: The Japanese version of the liquids list says the things in its not-restricted section can be left inside hand baggage, and ウエットティシュー (wet tissues) opens the toiletry part of that section. The English version adds that the section shows examples and is not a full list, so a pack of body wipes has no line of its own to look up.
Make-up remover wipes and make-up remover are different lines: Cleansing sheets belong to the make-up cotton entry, where the Japanese list gives ふき取りクレンジング紙 (wipe-off cleansing paper) as an example. Remover in a bottle is listed elsewhere, under Cleansing products, on the side that needs a 100 ml container. The TSA draws the same split: Makeup Wipes get a plain Yes for carry-on, and Makeup Remover is held to 3.4oz/100 ml.
Alcohol wipes are the type that dangerous goods lists pick out: Hong Kong's CAD allows sealed packets holding less than 10 ml of alcohol absorbed into the material, with no free liquid, in carry-on or checked baggage without restrictions. CASA in Australia has an entry for alcohol-based moist wipes for hygiene and permits them in quantities for personal use. The TSA lists Disinfecting Wipes with a Yes for both kinds of bag.
Japan's disinfectant line is written for liquids and sprays: Japan's list of restricted items has a line for disinfectants, 殺菌・消毒剤（液体、スプレー）, with a note that alcohol-based products are included. The wording covers the liquid and the spray. Sheets are not mentioned in that line, and the liquids list keeps Wet tissues on its not-restricted side without sorting them by ingredient.

Carry-onChecked bag

Sheet masksCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yes Hand sanitiser (alcohol)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditions Face washCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditions

Wet wipes: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in South Korea and Mainland China.

Wet wipes: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country

Flying from	Carry-on	Checked bag	What the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation Bureau	Yes	Yes	Japan's liquids list names wet tissues among the items outside the liquid limit: on international flights they can be carried on in any quantity and do not need to be declared to the screener. Source
United StatesTSA	Yes	Yes	Wet wipes, baby wipes, makeup wipes and disinfecting wipes are each listed as allowed in carry-on and checked bags.TSA entry: Wet Wipes, Baby Wipes, Makeup Wipes Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365	With limits	Yes	International: wet wipes fall under the cabin liquids control (100ml or less per container, one 1L zip bag); the amount needed for the flight is allowed for medical or hygiene use, and baby wipes with an infant need no bag. Domestic: yes. Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation Department	Yes	Yes	Alcohol wipes are named: sealed packets holding less than 10 ml of alcohol absorbed into the material, with no free liquid, can be carried in carry-on or checked baggage without restrictions. Source
Mainland ChinaCAAC	With limits	—	Alcohol disinfectant pads or swabs can be carried on after the security check only if sealed in individual small packs, with the alcohol fully absorbed and no free liquid, the pack intact, and needed for medical use during the trip. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASA	Yes	Yes	Alcohol-based moist wipes for hygiene can be carried on or checked in, in quantities for personal use.CASA Pack Right entry: Alcohol-based moist wipes for hygiene Source

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

Frequently asked questions

Can you take wet wipes on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. Japan's liquids list names wet tissues among the items outside the liquid limit: on international flights they can be carried on in any quantity and do not need to be declared to the screener. Make-up remover wipes are on the same list, as cleansing cotton sheets. In checked baggage: Yes.

Do wet wipes count as a liquid in carry-on luggage?

Not in Japan. Narita Airport's FAQ says wet wipes and makeup remover wipes are not subject to the restrictions on carry-on liquids on international flights, so a pack takes no room in the clear liquids bag. South Korea reads it the other way: its entry applies the cabin liquids control to wet wipes on international flights, and allows the amount needed for hygiene during the flight.

Can you bring baby wipes on a plane?

Yes. The TSA has a Baby Wipes entry of its own, allowed in carry-on and in checked bags. South Korea, which treats wet wipes as a controlled liquid in the cabin on international flights, makes an exception for a passenger travelling with an infant: baby wipes in the amount suited to the flight can be carried without the zip bag.

Can I carry alcohol wipes on a flight in mainland China?

Only under conditions. CAAC allows alcohol disinfectant pads or swabs in carry-on after the security check when they are sealed in individual small packs, the alcohol is fully absorbed with no free liquid, the pack is intact, and the passenger needs them for medical use during the trip.

Can I pack a big pack of wet wipes in my suitcase for a flight from Korea?

Yes. South Korea's entry for wet wipes (물티슈) allows them in the cabin and the hold on domestic flights, and says the hold rule on international flights is the same as the domestic one. The cabin liquids control only applies to the pack you carry on board. The TSA also marks Wet Wipes as allowed in checked bags.

Does the TSA allow wet wipes in carry-on bags?

Wet wipes, baby wipes, makeup wipes and disinfecting wipes are each listed as allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

What is the rule for wet wipes on flights from South Korea, Mainland China and Hong Kong?

South Korea: International: wet wipes fall under the cabin liquids control (100ml or less per container, one 1L zip bag); the amount needed for the flight is allowed for medical or hygiene use, and baby wipes with an infant need no bag. Domestic: yes. Mainland China: Alcohol disinfectant pads or swabs can be carried on after the security check only if sealed in individual small packs, with the alcohol fully absorbed and no free liquid, the pack intact, and needed for medical use during the trip. Hong Kong: Alcohol wipes are named: sealed packets holding less than 10 ml of alcohol absorbed into the material, with no free liquid, can be carried in carry-on or checked baggage without restrictions.

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