Many flyers have found themselves tossing liquids into the garbage can at the security checkpoint thanks to the TSA’s strict 3-1-1 rule, which bans any liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, or pastes exceeding 3.4 ounces. To avoid issues, savvy travelers know to carry smaller containers or avoid packing liquids in their carry-on altogether. But even those passengers may be surprised to learn about a few common items that the TSA treats as liquids — even though the average person wouldn’t necessarily view these objects in the same way. Here are five goods that count as liquids in the eyes of airport security.

Edible Spreads

Edible spreads such as peanut butter, hummus, honey, jams and jellies, maple syrup, salsas (even ones primarily made of thick vegetable chunks), yogurts, and other creamy dips (like French onion or guacamole) must be kept below the 3.4-ounce size limit when packed inside your carry-on. All of the aforementioned foods are, however, permitted in checked luggage, regardless of their size.

You’ll need to be cognizant of similar rules when flying internationally. For instance, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority warns passengers that items such as peanut butter, jam, and pudding must be in containers sized below 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces). Similar rules apply if taking a flight from Australia, as airport security prohibits taking larger containers of peanut butter, honey, jam, and even Vegemite in carry-on luggage.

Creamy Cheeses

While the TSA allows solid cheeses of any size, you have to be careful when bringing creamy cheese, which must stick to the 3.4-ounce size limit in your carry-on. The creaminess of cheese can be subjective, but here’s a good rule of thumb: If the cheese is easily spreadable, it’s probably going to be flagged at the checkpoint. Think: brie, mascarpone, burrata, cream cheese, or anything similar. If your creamy cheese exceeds 3.4 ounces, stow it in your checked luggage instead of your carry-on. 

Be aware, too, that TSA officers may ask you to temporarily remove even solid cheeses from your carry-on, as their organic composition can cause obstructions on the images. 

Glow Sticks

You may not think of glow sticks as anything more than a fun party favor, but they’re serious business to the TSA. After all, glow sticks contain two different types of liquid that mix together to produce their glow, and those liquids are of just as much concern as any other.

When traveling with glow sticks in your carry-on, each one must contain 3.4 ounces of liquid or less. The good news is that the total size of all your glow sticks combined can exceed 3.4 ounces, as long as each one is under the limit individually.

Magic 8 Balls

The TSA’s website states (with a bit of humor) that Magic 8 Balls are strictly banned from carry-ons: “We asked the Magic 8 ball and it told us… Outlook not so good!” However, these items are allowed in checked luggage. (“We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us… It is certain!”)

Magic 8 Balls are prohibited in carry-ons because there’s no way to verify the amount or type of liquid inside. According to some sources, they usually contain around 3.5 fluid ounces of liquid, which is right around the TSA’s limit. Given the uncertainty, however, don’t expect to bring the popular toy inside your carry-on.

Snow Globes

Snow globes are always a popular travel souvenir, but they may end up in the trash before you can ever take them back home. As with Magic 8 Balls, there’s no definitive way for a TSA officer to measure the amount of liquid inside a snow globe, but in this case, since snow globes are transparent, the TSA states that the amount of liquid must appear to be below 3.4 ounces — or else travelers will be forced to pack them in their checked luggage or toss them out.

As stated on the TSA’s website, the snow globe must be approximately the same size as a tennis ball, which the TSA has determined to be roughly equal to 3.4 ounces of liquid. Additionally, the entire souvenir — nonliquid base included — must fit inside a single, quart-sized, resealable plastic bag along with all of the traveler’s other small liquid containers. Given that caveat, you might be better off packing any snow globe souvenirs in your checked luggage. Just be sure to wrap them securely to prevent them from breaking and spilling all over your clothes.

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