How to pack your luggage for your flight

See here which items may and may not be carried through security control. Which items must be carried in the cargo hold and which can be taken on-board as hand baggage? Certain substances and items are not allowed on aircraft.

Security control rules for cosmetics, foods, liquids and alcohol

Up to two litres of liquids per passenger can be taken through security control at Helsinki Airport Departures hall.

Please notice that new EU regulation limits the amount of liquids passengers can carry in their hand luggage to 100-millilitre containers when travelling through EU airports, including Helsinki Airport, beginning September 1, 2024. The total amount of liquids allowed in hand luggage at Helsinki Airport will remain two litres per passenger.

At Helsinki Airport's transfer security control, and Finavia's regional airports, liquids may only be taken into the cabin in containers of less than 100 millilitres each. All liquids must fit into a single transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre.

Any larger containers of liquid must be placed in your checked hold baggage.

In addition to drinks and other fluids, nearly all cosmetics and a variety of foods are liquids. Liquids include moisturisers, toothpastes, mascaras, aerosols, gels, canned fruit, fish and meat, frozen foods, butters, cream cheeses, yoghurts, etc.

A good rule of thumb is that if you can spread it, it’s liquid.

Liquid baby food, formula milk and special dietary products are an exception to the above. You may carry the amount you will need during the flight in your hand baggage. A baby is considered to be a child under 2 years of age who travels with a so-called infant ticket and does not have its own seating.

You may take your prescription medications with you onboard. If you are travelling abroad, make sure to check the rules regarding importing medications into your destination country.

At Helsinki Airport's security control in the Departures hall, you can leave liquid medications in your bag during security control. However, at Finavia's regional airports, and during security checks for transit passengers at Helsinki Airport, liquid medications must be taken out of your bag for security screening. We recommend carrying liquid medications in their original packaging. Additionally, if you prefer, you may request a discreet security check for your medication to ensure your privacy.

Note! Hairspray containers of more than 500 ml are prohibited on the aircraft and may not be carried as hand baggage or checked hold baggage.

Please note that alcohol in excess of 70% is not allowed on aircraft. Remember to check the customs regulations of each country before your flight.

Duty free liquids purchased at airports and on aircrafts may be taken into the cabin of the aircraft. Transfer passengers may carry duty free products through the security control. The products must be packed in a sealed, transparent security bag, as illustrated in the image, and the receipt must be clearly visible.

Instructions for scissors, knives, matches, cigarette lighters and electronic tobacco

Scissors, knives, multi-purpose tools, wine bottle openers etc., belong to the hold baggage. Small nail clippers with a blade shorter than six centimetres, as well as knitting needles, may be taken into the cabin as hand baggage.

You may carry one box of matches or cigarette lighter onboard, and you must place it in your pocket. Such items must not be packed in your hand baggage or hold baggage. Make sure that the lighter does not contain any prohibited lighter fluids. On flights to the United States, matches and lighters are completely forbidden.

Electronic cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes and corresponding devices that produce vapour must be packed in hand luggage or transported in a pocket or a handbag. They may not be packed in cargo hold luggage.

Carrying electronic equipment and batteries

Consumer devices, such as watches, calculators, cameras, telephones and computers may be carried either as hand baggage or as checked hold baggage. We recommend to pack them in your hand baggage.

Spare batteries and power banks may only be carried in hand baggage.

More information about carrying electronic devices is available here.

How to pack fishing, camping, hunting and skiing equipment

Skis and ice hockey sticks are stored in the cargo hold during the flight. The packing instructions for ice skates and golf clubs vary according to carrier. Some carriers allow transporting them as hand baggage, some do not. We recommend checking this with your carrier before your flight.

These items are not allowed on aircrafts

Highly flammable, toxic or corrosive substances, such as lighter fluids and fireworks, are completely forbidden onboard. In most cases, such products have a warning symbol on the side of the product package.

Further information

General packing instructions

How to go through the security control and what will happen to any forbidden items or substances

Website of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

Carrying electronic appliances

Always pack power banks and batteries in your hand baggage. It is prohibited to carry them in the hold. Incorrectly packed batteries are a fire hazard.

Check the energy content of the batteries. The energy content of a single battery must not exceed 100 Wh. If the energy content is 100–160 Wh, seek permission from the airline prior to departure. Even with permission, you may not carry more than two batteries.

We also recommend that you take your mobile phone, laptop, tablet, camera, headset and other consumer electronics in the cabin with you. When you enter the security control, please be sure to remove from your hand baggage any electrical appliances that contain a battery and place them in the tray before the x-ray scan. See more detailed instructions on security control.