Travelling with perfume: atomisers, airport limits and keeping a big bottle safe

Every FAAN bottle is 200 ml, which is a lot of perfume for home and too much for a cabin bag. Here is what to do about it.

Hand luggage limits for liquids in the EU

At most airports the long-standing rule is this: each liquid container in hand luggage may hold 100 ml at most, and all of them must fit in one transparent, resealable bag of about one litre. The limit applies to the size of the container, not to how full it is, so a half-empty 200 ml bottle is still a 200 ml container.

Some airports have tested scanners that relax this, and rules do change. We cannot promise what your airport allows on the day, so check the airport and airline websites before you pack. Perfume contains alcohol and is treated as a flammable liquid in transport, which is also why we cannot ship to every country with every carrier.

Decanting a 200 ml bottle into a travel atomiser

The simplest solution is a small refillable atomiser, usually 5 to 10 ml. At a typical spray of about 0.1 ml, a 10 ml atomiser gives roughly 100 sprays. Those are rough figures, not guarantees. At three sprays a day that is about a month. Our step-by-step guide to decanting a 200 ml bottle shows a funnel method and a syringe method. Label the atomiser, so you know what is in it.

Keeping scent away from heat in a suitcase

If you do pack the big bottle in checked luggage, protect it. Airlines have their own limits on liquids in the hold, so check those as well.

• Keep the cap on and the bottle upright.
• Wrap it in clothes, ideally in the middle of the case, not against the wall.
• Put it in a sealed plastic bag in case it leaks.
• Do not leave the case in a hot car or in direct sun. Heat dulls the top notes first.

Our guide to wearing and storing a 200 ml perfume covers the same rules for everyday storage.

Which FAAN bottles travel well

Pick a scent that is easy to carry and easy to wear in a different climate.

• Amjad Coral: fresh pear and cedar, listed for spring and summer, projection 3 out of 5. A good beach or city-break choice.
• Qasida Al-Badr: calm, dry and powdery, listed for autumn, winter and spring. Works at a conference or a dinner.
• Amjad Honour: an Extrait with projection 4 out of 5 and longevity 5 out of 5. Two sprays go a long way, so a small decant lasts for a trip. Better for cool evenings.

Longevity matters when you cannot reapply easily. See how long FAAN perfumes last.

Buying duty free versus ordering ahead

Duty free shops sell what they stock, and you buy after security. Ordering ahead means you choose the bottle you want and have it at home before you leave: delivery takes 3 to 6 working days in the Netherlands and 5 to 8 working days in the rest of the EU, so order at least two weeks before your trip. Then decant at home. If a bottle shows as sold out, ask to be notified on the product page. You can see every bottle in the full range.

FAQ

Can I take a 200 ml perfume in hand luggage?

Under the usual rule, no, because the container is larger than 100 ml. Check the airport rules for your trip.

Can I put perfume in checked luggage?

Airlines usually allow it within limits on liquids, but they differ. Check yours, and pack the bottle upright and wrapped.

How big an atomiser do I need?

For a weekend or a week, 5 ml is plenty. For a month, take 10 ml.

Related reading

• How to wear and store a 200 ml perfume
• Decanting a 200 ml bottle into an atomiser: step by step
• How long FAAN perfumes last