EasyTicket Carry-On Restrictions: Check Before You Pack
For international flights departing Korea, liquids and cosmetics must be packed in containers of 100 ml or less each, inside one 1 L clear zip-top bag. Power banks must not go in checked baggage, and from April 20, 2026, you may carry only up to 160 Wh per unit, with a maximum of two per person.
After cross-checking airport guidance by item, EasyTicket found that the fastest way to sort out carry-on restrictions is to first ask whether an item is a liquid or a lithium battery.
Liquids and cosmetics: 100 ml per container
For toner, sunscreen, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, and perfume, check the capacity of the container itself, not how much remains inside. Even if a 150 ml bottle contains only 20 ml, it can’t go in the cabin. Put containers of 100 ml or less in a single 1 L clear zip-top bag and close the zipper fully.
Kimchi and gochujang count as liquids
The same rules apply to foods mixed with liquid or gel, including kimchi, gochujang, doenjang, and canned food. By contrast, solid side dishes such as shredded dried squid and dried anchovies can be brought on board.
| Item | International carry-on limit |
|---|---|
| Toner, lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste | 100 ml or less per container |
| Drinks, perfume, hairspray | Keep in one 1 L clear zip-top bag |
| Kimchi, gochujang, doenjang | Liquid/gel rules apply |
| Dry side dishes | Allowed if solid |
Power Bank Baggage Rules: 160 Wh, 2 Units, Cabin Storage
Up to two units at 160 Wh or less
Power banks may be brought into the cabin only if each is 160 Wh or less, with a maximum of two per person. Products over 100 Wh also require airline approval. If no Wh rating is listed, calculate it as mAh × voltage (V) ÷ 1000; for the final call, follow the product label and your airline’s rules.
Insulate the terminals and keep them in front of your seat
Cover the terminals with insulating tape, or store each power bank separately in a protective pouch or zip-top bag. They can’t go in the overhead bin either; keep them on your person or in the seat-back pocket.
Power banks and e-cigarettes are prohibited in checked baggage. Using or charging a power bank in the cabin is also prohibited.
Comparing Baggage Rules: What Can Go in Checked Baggage and What’s Prohibited
Items that can go in checked baggage
Items restricted in the cabin, such as knives, scissors, and tools, may be moved to checked baggage after confirming the airline’s conditions. For cosmetics and liquids over the international carry-on limit, it’s simpler to check them if they’re standard products.
Items not allowed even in checked baggage
Putting power banks and e-cigarettes in checked baggage doesn’t solve the problem. Fireworks, torch lighters, flammable gases and liquids, and other hazardous materials are restricted in both the cabin and checked baggage.
| Item | Carry-on | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Power banks | Up to 160 Wh, 2 per person | Prohibited |
| E-cigarettes | Carry on your person | Prohibited |
| Knives, scissors, tools | Restricted in the cabin | Allowed after checking conditions |
| Over-limit liquids/cosmetics | Restricted in the cabin | Standard products allowed |
3-Minute Checklist: How to Avoid Mistakes with Prohibited Carry-On Items
Before you close your bag
- Are all liquid and cosmetic containers 100 ml or less?
- Did you check whether you’ve packed foods with a liquid or gel consistency, such as kimchi, gochujang, or jelly?
- Are your power banks 160 Wh or less, with no more than two in total?
At the security checkpoint
- Did you keep the 1 L clear zip-top bag somewhere easy to take out?
- Have you protected the power bank terminals and prepared to put them in the seat-back pocket?
- Did you move your knives, scissors, and tools to checked baggage?
FAQ: 100 ml and 160 Wh Carry-On Limits That Trip People Up
Can I bring a 100 ml container on board if only 30 ml remains?
No. For international flights, the rule is based on whether the container’s labeled capacity is 100 ml or less—not how much remains.
Can I bring three 20,000 mAh power banks?
No. Even if their capacity is within the limit, from April 20, 2026, you may bring a maximum of two per person.
Why are kimchi and gochujang restricted as carry-on items?
Because they’re classified as foods containing liquid or gel. If they don’t meet the 100 ml container and 1 L zip-top bag limits, put them in checked baggage.
To avoid having to throw away prohibited carry-on items at the airport, it’s best to sort them at home first. Before departure, check your airline’s latest baggage rules once more.