Infant formula
DeclareAllowed for personal use; declare quantity if asked.
Security and import rules vary by destination and by the formula's country of manufacture, and the official authority makes the final decision.
Visual reference
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What this means
Infant formula is manufactured milk- or soy-based food for feeding babies, sold as powder, concentrate or ready-to-feed liquid. It is widely allowed for travelers but is usually treated as a declarable food, and at airport security it is commonly exempt from the small-liquid limit as a medically necessary item. Quantities and conditions can depend on its country of manufacture.
What's included
- Powdered infant formula
- Ready-to-feed liquid formula
- Concentrated liquid formula
- Toddler / follow-on formula
- Commercially packaged baby food and puree pouches
- Cooling packs used to keep formula cold
What's not included
- Breast milk (handled under separate breast-milk guidance)
- Cow's milk and other dairy drinks (see dairy)
- General packaged snacks (see packaged-snacks)
- Nutritional supplements and vitamins (see vitamins)
Common types & examples
Powdered formula
Most common to travel with; a dairy-based food that may face country-of-origin biosecurity conditions.
Ready-to-feed liquid
Allowed through airport security in needed amounts as a medically necessary liquid; declare to the officer.
Concentrated liquid
Mixed with water before feeding; treated like other formula liquids at security.
Toddler / follow-on formula
Usually treated the same as infant formula for travel purposes.
Baby food / puree pouches
Generally allowed alongside formula and exempt from small-liquid limits when carried for a child.
Why it's regulated
Formula is regulated as a food and, where it contains dairy, can be subject to biosecurity and food-safety controls based on its country of manufacture. At aviation security it is permitted above normal liquid limits as a medically necessary item, but it must be declared for screening.
Typical allowance
Provisional only: airport security generally lets you carry reasonable quantities of formula above the standard liquid limit, while customs/biosecurity quantity limits for personal import can depend on the country of manufacture; verify with your destination.
Provisional — confirm with your destination
Before you travel
Documents you may need
- Customs/biosecurity declaration form
- Product label showing country of manufacture
- Proof of personal/infant use (when quantities are large)
Next steps
- 1.Tell the security officer you are carrying formula before screening
- 2.Keep formula in commercially labeled packaging showing origin
- 3.Declare formula on your customs/biosecurity form if required
- 4.Check destination quantity limits, especially by country of manufacture
- 5.Carry enough for the trip plus a margin for delays
Official sources
- Is Breast Milk, Formula and Juice exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule?· U.S. TSA
- Baby Formula - What Can I Bring?· U.S. TSA
- Infant formula (powdered) import conditions· Australia DAFF
Always verify with the official authority for your destination.
Country-specific rules
The default posture above applies worldwide. For the exact rules at your destination, check the country guide.
View country rules →