Passengers are being warned over a keepsake many don’t realise is banned from hand luggage
British Airways passengers could be stopped at security over a popular item they may not realise is banned from cabin bags.
When returning from trips, many people like to bring back souvenirs. And a common keepsake – particularly popular when having visited somewhere with wintry weather – is banned from your hand luggage. The item in question is snow globes, which are treated as liquids under airport security rules and therefore subject to strict hand luggage limits. UK aviation security rules generally require liquids in cabin baggage to be in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a clear resealable plastic bag when passing through screening, although this is now changing at some airports.
The long-standing restriction was introduced across Europe and the UK in 2006 following concerns about liquid explosives being carried onto aircraft, and it has remained one of the most widely enforced airport security measures ever since.
However, the UK aviation system is currently in transition, with some airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Edinburgh rolling out new CT scanners that allow passengers to carry larger liquid volumes in hand luggage.
At these upgraded airports, the 100ml rule has effectively been lifted, with passengers able to keep liquids in bags without the same restrictions, although the changes have not yet been implemented nationwide.
Despite this, many UK airports still operate the traditional rules, meaning passengers may face different security requirements depending on where they travel from.
Snow globes are caught by the restrictions because they contain sealed liquid and glitter inside a glass or plastic casing, almost always exceeding permitted cabin baggage limits.
The Civil Aviation Authority classifies them as restricted items in hand luggage, meaning security staff are required to remove them during screening if found in cabin bags.
British Airways advises passengers to pack such items in checked luggage instead to avoid delays or confiscation at security checkpoints.
Travel experts say confusion is common during the Christmas period, as festive souvenirs are often bought without awareness of aviation liquid rules. Airports continue to urge passengers to check guidance before travelling, particularly as UK security systems remain in a phased rollout of new screening technology.
Credits: British Airways
