As travellers across the UK begin packing their hand luggage for their summer holidays, many are still being caught off guard by little-known airport security rules. Despite years of warnings and countless discarded toiletries at the scanner, the liquid rules continue to trip up even the most experienced of travellers.

While most passengers understand that bottled water or perfume must comply with the 100ml rule, many are still unknowingly making an annoyingly easy mistake. From food items to cosmetics, some everyday products are being confiscated at airports simply because they fall into a lesser-known category of “disguised” liquids.

“Many travellers are caught out by having their items seized without realising they count as liquids, such as cosmetics like lip gloss and liquid eyeliner, or foods like sauces and jams,” said Cody Candee, CEO and founder of luggage storage company Bounce.com.

“If you can spread, smear, or squirt the item, it’s usually a liquid. If you’re unsure, either pack the item into your checked-in luggage or leave it behind.”

These often-overlooked items are intercepted in airport security trays, leading to unnecessary delays at checkpoints and wasted product.

Cody added: “To avoid last-minute stress at security, travellers can pre-pack their clear bags at home using a clear zip freezer bag, as these often meet the requirements of UK airports.”

It’s a simple step, but it can save a lot of hassle in the airport queue. And if the airport’s security doesn’t allow freezer bags, at least the products will already have been sorted.

With airports across the UK gradually adopting new scanning technology to potentially phase out liquid restrictions, there is hope that these restrictive rules will come to an end.

However, for the time being, many travellers may still find their favourite face cream or marmalade jars binned, so the best option is not to take any risks.

Cody recommended: “To avoid liquid restrictions altogether, travellers can instead pack solid versions of toiletries where available, such as toothpaste tablets, solid deodorants, and shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars.

“Not only will these types of products save space, but they are also more environmentally friendly and security-approved.”