TSA Loophole Lets You Keep Your Water Bottle

If you’ve ever tossed a full water bottle into the trash before airport security, you’re not alone. But it turns out there’s a legal way around the TSA’s 3.4-ounce rule, and it’s simpler than you think.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, travelers can bring frozen liquids through security, as long as they’re solid at the time of screening. That means if you freeze a full bottle of water and it stays frozen solid when you hit the checkpoint, you’re good to go.

“Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening,” a TSA spokesperson told CNN via email. “If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.”

The 3-1-1 rule allows liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers smaller than 3.4 ounces, all packed into a single quart-sized bag. But a frozen bottle, fully solid, sidesteps that entirely.

The loophole isn’t new, but it’s gone viral again this summer as TikTok users share airport hacks to beat the heat and avoid overpriced concessions. While most airports now offer refilling stations post-security, they’re not always easy to find or convenient if you’re in a rush.

If your bottle starts to thaw before you reach the checkpoint, you’ll need to drink it or toss it. “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint,” according to the TSA website.

It’s also worth noting that the frozen bottle trick only works in the United States. In Canada, for instance, “frozen liquids, such as ice, are permitted in quantities of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less,” according to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.

Still, for U.S. travelers flying during summer’s peak heat, this hack is a smart, legal workaround — and a solid way to stay hydrated without shelling out $6 at the gate.

Related: Major U.S. Airport Cancels Nearly 400 Flights Amid Busy July 4th Travel