Key Takeaways
• The 3.4-ounce liquid rule remains until at least July 17, 2025, at all U.S. airports.
• Shoe removal ended nationwide in July 2025, speeding up airport security lines.
• Homeland Security Secretary Noem hints liquid restrictions may relax due to new tech.
Travelers flying through airports in the United States 🇺🇸 are about to see big changes in the way they go through security. On July 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are reviewing the long-standing liquid rule for carry-on bags. This comes right after the shoe-off requirement ended at all U.S. airports, making the security process easier for millions of people. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the liquid rule may be the next policy to change, but for now, travelers must still follow the current rules.
What’s Happening Now?
As of today, the 3.4-ounce (100ml) liquid rule is still in effect at every airport in the United States 🇺🇸. This means all liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on bag must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces. You have to put these containers in a single, clear, quart-sized plastic bag. If you have larger bottles, you need to pack them in your checked luggage unless they are exempt items.
The recent removal of the shoe-off requirement has already made airport security lines move faster. Now, the focus is on whether the liquid rule, which has been in place since 2006, will be relaxed or even removed. Secretary Kristi Noem has not given a date for when this might happen, but she has said that new technology could make it possible to keep travelers safe without such strict rules.
Why Is the Liquid Rule Important?
The liquid rule started in 2006 after a plot in London was stopped. People tried to bring liquid explosives onto planes, so the United States 🇺🇸 and many other countries quickly set limits on how much liquid you could carry in your bag. Since then, travelers have had to throw away drinks, lotions, and other items at security if they didn’t fit the rule. This has caused a lot of frustration and confusion, especially for people who travel often or have special needs.
What Has Changed Recently?
The biggest recent change is the end of the shoe-off requirement. For years, everyone had to take off their shoes at security checkpoints. Now, thanks to better scanning machines, you can keep your shoes on. This change happened nationwide in July 2025 and has already made the process smoother and less stressful.
Secretary Kristi Noem has also questioned whether the liquid rule is still needed. She points to new screening technology that can spot dangerous liquids without making people take them out of their bags. The TSA is getting ready for big events like America250, the Olympics, and the FIFA World Cup, so they want to make security faster and easier for everyone.
What Are the Current Rules?
Here’s what you need to know if you’re flying today:
- All non-exempt liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less.
- All these containers must fit into a single, clear, quart-sized resealable plastic bag.
- You must take this bag out of your carry-on and place it in a bin for screening.
- If you have exempt items, you need to tell the TSA officer at the checkpoint.
- You do not need to remove your shoes at any U.S. airport.
Who Gets Exemptions From the Liquid Rule?
The TSA has made the rules a little easier for some people by allowing certain items in any size. These exemptions help families, people with medical needs, and international travelers. Here’s what you can bring in your carry-on bag without worrying about the 3.4-ounce limit:
- Prescription medications (must be in the original packaging)
- Over-the-counter medicines (full-sized bottles are allowed)
- Ice packs and gel packs for medical use
- Breast milk, baby formula, and baby food (no size limit if you’re traveling with a baby)
- Liquid-filled teethers for babies
- Live fish in water-filled containers
- Biological samples and scientific materials (must be in proper containers)
- Wet batteries for medical devices
- Duty-free purchases (alcohol or perfume bought within 48 hours, in sealed packaging with a receipt)
- Fresh eggs in original packaging
If you have any of these items, you should tell the TSA officer at the checkpoint. They may need to check them separately, but you won’t have to throw them away.
How Do You Go Through Security Now?
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for going through airport security in the United States 🇺🇸 as of July 2025:
- Pack all non-exempt liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less.
- Put these containers in a single, clear, quart-sized resealable plastic bag.
- Take this bag out of your carry-on and place it in a bin for screening.
- Tell the TSA officer about any exempt items (like medicine or baby food) so they can check them separately.
- Keep your shoes on. You do not need to remove them at any U.S. airport security checkpoint.
Why Might the Liquid Rule Change Soon?
The main reason the liquid rule could change is because of new technology. In the past, security officers had to rely on simple X-ray machines that couldn’t tell the difference between a bottle of water and something dangerous. Now, airports are using advanced CT scanners and other tools that can spot threats more easily.
Security experts say these new machines can find dangerous liquids without making everyone follow the old rules. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the TSA is expected to announce changes to the liquid rule soon, but there is no official date yet. The plan is to make security faster and less stressful, especially as more people travel for big events.
What Do Travelers and Experts Say?
Travelers have been asking for changes to the liquid rule for years. Many people find it confusing and annoying, especially when they have to throw away expensive items or wait in long lines. Advocacy groups say the rule is outdated and doesn’t match the technology now available.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is leading the push for change. She says the goal is to keep people safe while also making travel easier. TSA officials agree, but they want to make sure any changes won’t put anyone at risk. They are working hard to balance safety with convenience, especially with so many big events coming up.
What Are the Practical Effects of Recent Changes?
The end of the shoe-off requirement has already made a big difference. Lines are moving faster, and people are less stressed. The expanded list of exemptions to the liquid rule also helps families, people with medical needs, and international travelers. For example, parents traveling with babies no longer have to worry about the size of bottles or baby food. People with medical needs can bring full-sized medicine and ice packs.
Still, everyone else must follow the 3.4-ounce rule until the TSA announces a change. If you forget and pack a large bottle of shampoo or a drink, you’ll have to throw it away or check your bag.
What’s the History Behind These Rules?
The liquid rule started in 2006 after a group tried to bring liquid explosives onto planes in London. The United States 🇺🇸 and other countries quickly set strict limits on liquids in carry-on bags. The shoe-off requirement also started around this time, after another plot was stopped.
These rules have caused a lot of frustration over the years. People have missed flights, lost expensive items, and spent extra time in security lines. But they were put in place to keep everyone safe.
Now, with better technology, the government is looking at ways to make things easier without giving up safety. The end of the shoe-off requirement is the first big step, and the liquid rule may be next.
What Should You Do Now?
If you’re flying soon, here’s what you should do:
- Follow the current 3.4-ounce liquid rule for all non-exempt items.
- Use a clear, quart-sized plastic bag for your liquids.
- Check the TSA website for the latest updates before you travel.
- Tell the TSA officer if you have exempt items like medicine or baby food.
- Keep your shoes on at security checkpoints.
You can find the most up-to-date information on the official TSA website.
What’s Next for Airport Security?
The TSA is expected to announce changes to the liquid rule soon, possibly within the next few months. The changes will likely start at airports with the newest scanning machines. Over time, all airports in the United States 🇺🇸 may move to the new system.
The goal is to make security faster and less stressful for everyone. With big events like America250, the Olympics, and the FIFA World Cup coming up, the TSA wants to be ready for more travelers. They are working to balance safety with convenience, using the latest technology to keep everyone safe.
What Are the Implications for Different Groups?
- Families: Parents with babies will find it easier to travel, thanks to the expanded exemptions for baby food and formula.
- People with Medical Needs: Travelers who need medicine or medical devices can bring what they need without worrying about size limits.
- International Travelers: Duty-free purchases are allowed if they are in sealed packaging with a receipt, making it easier for people coming from other countries.
- Frequent Flyers: The end of the shoe-off requirement and possible changes to the liquid rule will save time and reduce stress for people who travel often.
What Should You Watch For?
Keep an eye on announcements from the TSA and DHS. Changes to the liquid rule could happen soon, but until then, you must follow the current rules. If you’re not sure what you can bring, check the TSA’s official list of allowed and prohibited items.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As of July 17, 2025, the 3.4-ounce liquid rule is still in place at all U.S. airports. However, big changes are coming. The end of the shoe-off requirement and the expanded list of exemptions show that the government is moving toward a more traveler-friendly, technology-driven security process. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the TSA are working to make travel safer and easier for everyone.
For now, travelers should keep following the current rules, pack carefully, and check for updates before flying. The future of airport security in the United States 🇺🇸 looks brighter, with faster lines and fewer hassles on the horizon. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes are part of a larger effort to use technology to improve the travel experience while keeping everyone safe.
Stay informed, follow the rules, and get ready for a smoother journey through airport security in the near future.
Learn Today
Liquid rule → Security restriction limiting carry-on liquids to 3.4 ounces to prevent dangerous substances on planes.
DHS → Department of Homeland Security, U.S. agency responsible for protecting national security.
TSA → Transportation Security Administration, manages airport security screening in the United States.
Exempt items → Special liquids like medicines or baby food allowed in any size during screening.
CT scanners → Advanced imaging devices that detect threats in luggage without removing items.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting July 17, 2025, U.S. airport security may soon relax the 3.4-ounce liquid rule, following the removal of shoe-off requirements, as new scanning technology advances traveler safety and convenience.
— By VisaVerge.com
