Flying from Latvia: liquids in a 1-litre bag, laptops out, and duty-free bags kept sealed until transfer

Latvia's Civil Aviation Agency sets out a simple routine for passing through airport security with hand luggage. Each liquid container may hold at most 100 ml, and all containers must fit in a transparent, resealable 1-litre plastic bag, which passengers should present at the checkpoint so it can be checked easily.

At the same time, jackets and coats come off and are checked separately while you walk through the metal detector, and laptops and other electronic devices are taken out of the bag for separate screening. The agency's list of what counts as a liquid is broad: drinks, soups, syrups, perfumes, gels including hair and shower gel, pastes such as toothpaste, mascara, creams, lotions, oils, shaving foam, antiperspirants and mixtures of liquids and solid particles.

Medicines and dietary products needed during the flight, including baby food, are allowed, but security staff may ask you to confirm that they are needed. The liquid rules apply only to hand luggage; liquids may go in checked baggage, which must not contain explosives or highly flammable substances.

Liquids bought in EU airport shops after the boarding-pass check, or on flights of EU airlines, can be carried on board. If they come in a sealed bag, do not open it until after the security check at the transfer airport, or the last one if there are several. Before travelling, check the full list of prohibited articles published by the agency.