I was on the Heathrow Airport website reading their FAQ"s, and wanted to ask you learned travelers for some clarification. It said that when connecting through there, that liquids/gels could only be taken through if purchased after security, in the past 36 hours, and were in a sealed bag with the receipt. I am assuming this is referring to items you might purchase at a duty free shop, and NOT to our now all to familiar 1 quart bag of items with 3 ounces or less. I want to go with only my carry-on, and not check luggage when I make my trip in the fall. Thanks for clarifying this for me.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
Yes, they are referring to liquids purchased in duty-free shops in other EU airports. You can take a 3-1-1 bag through Heathrow. The last time that I went through, they made me put my ziploc bag inside one of their ziploc bags. I'd never had that happen before there and don't know if it was a new policy or just a one-off. So you may want to just pick up one of their bags as you enter the line and drop your bag inside of it.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
It seems from my recent trip that all of Europe now follows the same rules as the US re liquids. And you should always assume that when you make a connection you'll have to go through security again.
Posted by
OP
STOCKTON, California, United States
5 posts
Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I re-read that FAQ several times, and decided that they could have worded it a little better!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
The connection is not the issue. It would be unusual to be outside of security for a connection. The exception is the big multi terminal airports where there is no choice. Duty free shops are behind security for departing passengers. You cannot purchase duty free unless you are leaving the country. So you purchases wines and other liquids and take them on the plane. The problem develops when you hit the states and have to go through immigrations and customs prior to your US connecting flight. Now you have had access to your checked luggage which can include large amounts of liquids, knives, etc., so you have to go through carryon security again so that duty free wine has to go into the checked luggage. It is a pain.
Posted by
PA
2858 posts
They do not follow the US rules completely. In the US my sons' large bottle of saline solution(sealed) for their contact lenses was allowed in their carry-on no questions, as it is considered medicine.
BA forced them to throw it away while transferring in Heathrow, and they also had to throw the new one away when boarding to return home on BA in Schiphol. This was not an issue on their EasyJet transfer in Berlin.
Posted by
OP
STOCKTON, California, United States
5 posts
Thank you for your replies. I will carefully pack my 3-1-1 bag, and probably not purchase any liquids from Duty Free.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
I think they're focusing on reminding people not to unseal the bag the duty free shop gives you (which has a single use seal on it). If you break open the seal, they'll take your bottle when you're connecting.