Everything that can be taken in your hand luggage in 1 overview

“They are not very generous in telling it, but you are allowed to take more than 100 ml in your hand luggage.” A friend of mine who works at KLM keeps her lips two millimeters apart, so mysteriously this information comes to me. “They don’t want to reduce revenue at Schiphol and hope that people will buy their water, perfume, etc. after customs,” she explains.

What’s the deal with customs?

I have asked the people at customs several times and either got a negative answer or this: “Yes, it is allowed, unless we disapprove it.” Okay. But now, I received an email from Schiphol itself with the correct information. At least, that’s what I’m assuming.

1. You are allowed to take up to 100 milliliters of liquids in your hand luggage.
   And no, you don’t have to take it out of your bag. It can just stay in there.
2. Liquids are understood to mean: lip gloss, hair gel, sunscreen, deodorant, perfume, peanut butter (after all, we are Dutch; where would we be without our jar of peanut butter) and water.
3. You may take your own water bottle, but: it must be empty. Since you cannot empty the thermos there, there is a chance that you will still lose your expensive Stanley cup. So if you take it with you: empty it beforehand and fill it up again after customs.
4. If you are traveling with a baby, you may take baby food in your hand luggage. And I think, especially on a long flight- Australia for example- that if it is more than 100 ml, the customs officer on duty will not make a fuss.
5. Disappointing, but not on the return trip
   It’s a pity that you can’t take more than 100 ml. On the other hand: you have to return at some point and in that country (bfor example England) they might be a lot less lenient, so it’s also clear again.

Image: @romeestrijd