Singapore - Recent experience with contact lens solution at security in SIN

The last time I went thru SIN (mid 2008), I had my full size bottle of saline solution for my contacts confiscated entering my gate. In the US, the TSA allows full size contact lens solution.

It appears that SIN still does not permit full size contact lens solution (http://www.changiairport.com/passenger-guide/departure/guidelines-on-hand-carried-luggage/faq). Has anyone had recent experience with full size contact lens solution? Is it still confiscated? I'm having a heck of a time finding a 3oz/100ml bottle of plain-jane saline (don't really like a multi-purpose solution, they tend to sting my eyes).

Bump...anyone?

I packed my lens solution in checked luggage when we were there, so I'm afraid I'm no help with what you can take through security. If you're taking checked luggage with you I'd recommend putting it in there.

Otherwise, maybe just buy an empty 100ml bottle in Singapore and decant your bottle into that and buy some more when you get to your destination?

I packed my lens solution in checked luggage when we were there, so I'm afraid I'm no help with what you can take through security. If you're taking checked luggage with you I'd recommend putting it in there.

Otherwise, maybe just buy an empty 100ml bottle in Singapore and decant your bottle into that and buy some more when you get to your destination?

I plan on checking my luggage all the way thru from DPS (route is DPS-SIN-BKK-FRA-LAX) but have 2 overnights (SIN and FRA). I'll need contact solution at both locations.

And one should NEVER decant contact lens solution. It is sterile and you risk serious eye infection if you use solution that you transfer into another container.

This may not be helpful but something you can consider. In T3 you can buy the travel size saline solution at either the pharmacy (turn left at passport control round the corner after the escalators where the lounges are) or the Cheers convenience shop (behind the foot court) near the B gates. I always use the daily disposal contact lenses when I travel for this reason.

lots of people in asia are in need of corrective eye devices. i am sure you will easily a wide range contact solution in any asian country.

You are saying the US they allow "full-size" (8-12 oz) contact lens solution bottles? wow, that is news to me. After the liquid restrictions came into effect I always pack my large size - and just carry 2oz bottles on. And never had a problem with that size anywhere. I use Renu and they have those smaller sizes. I don't know about the "plain jane" saline sizes.

Really surprised to hear that the US would allow the full-size, esp. if already opened and not sealed. But as I said, I don't know because I never tried it...

lots of people in asia are in need of corrective eye devices. i am sure you will easily a wide range contact solution in any asian country.

Thanks, but that's not really the point. SIN is the next to last stop before I get home 2 days later. I don't really want to have to buy anything there.

You are saying the US they allow "full-size" (8-12 oz) contact lens solution bottles? wow, that is news to me. After the liquid restrictions came into effect I always pack my large size - and just carry 2oz bottles on. And never had a problem with that size anywhere. I use Renu and they have those smaller sizes. I don't know about the "plain jane" saline sizes.

Really surprised to hear that the US would allow the full-size, esp. if already opened and not sealed. But as I said, I don't know because I never tried it...

Yep, full size is not a problem. Explicitly allowed by TSA as a medical liquid. Done it many times at airports from coast to coast. It can be a bit of a pain because they always want to "test" it with some half-@ssed test they think will find something, but I have never been denied anywhere. Note that these is one brand of solution that people have had a lot of problems with though. It's the one with a high level of hydrogen peroxide.

Plain jane saline in travel size is impossible to find. However, I did find a solution that seems to not both my eyes a lot that comes in a 2oz bottle, so I think I will be stuck with that for my carry-on during this trip.

Yep, full size is not a problem. Explicitly allowed by TSA as a medical liquid. Done it many times at airports from coast to coast. It can be a bit of a pain because they always want to "test" it with some half-@ssed test they think will find something, but I have never been denied anywhere. Note that these is one brand of solution that people have had a lot of problems with though. It's the one with a high level of hydrogen peroxide.

Plain jane saline in travel size is impossible to find. However, I did find a solution that seems to not both my eyes a lot that comes in a 2oz bottle, so I think I will be stuck with that for my carry-on during this trip.

Ok, thanks. Learn something new every day - esp. when it comes to TSA!!

Ok, thanks. Learn something new every day - esp. when it comes to TSA!!

And in case you ever have troubles, here's the link on TSA's page - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm


Additionally, we are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:


All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;

Wow. I'm glad I saw this thread, as I'll be stopping in Singapore a lot for the remainder of the year. I never check baggage and always carry a full size bottle with me - TSA tests it but otherwise I haven't had a problem internationally.

You could ask your optometrist for sample sizes. Mine always gives me a small bottle at every visit. I've never seen the small size in stores, but it's perfect for traveling.

Wow. I'm glad I saw this thread, as I'll be stopping in Singapore a lot for the remainder of the year. I never check baggage and always carry a full size bottle with me - TSA tests it but otherwise I haven't had a problem internationally.

You could ask your optometrist for sample sizes. Mine always gives me a small bottle at every visit. I've never seen the small size in stores, but it's perfect for traveling.

I get sample sizes of solution from my optometrist, but not saline.

As far as Singapore, yes, be forewarned. I was caught completely off guard in 2008 when SIN was the outbound connection point for my honeymoon. I ended up having to find solution in the Maldives which was not easy. A staff member ended up giving me hers after they had a tough time finding it in the city. I later had to pick and hope in Japan to get something that looked right (luckily it was).

I was reading about contact lens solution going through at US airports, and there have been instances where TSA agents confiscate the item.

In Singapore, it is a one-size-fit-all except for medical products with a letter for a doctor.

I've gone through security at Singapore 4 times in the past year (6 if you count the arrival security on flights from Jakarta), and I haven't had a problem thus far, so this is news to me.

FWIW, I carry a 3.5-oz bottle of contact lens solution and place this in my liquids bag. It's rarely ever questioned at any airport. (In Seoul, I was once asked to remove it, but it was allowed by the screener after I explained its purpose.)

Unfortunately, I wear hard (gas-permeable) contact lenses, and the necessary solution is difficult or impossible to find overseas; being asked to discard this would present a problem. I used to buy sample (1-oz) sizes, but because hard contact lenses are no longer popular, many drug stores no longer carry these.

Is there any safe/hygienic way to decant contact lens solution into a smaller container?

I was reading about contact lens solution going through at US airports, and there have been instances where TSA agents confiscate the item.

In Singapore, it is a one-size-fit-all except for medical products with a letter for a doctor.

I only know of one type of solution that gets confiscated by TSA. It's the one with a high concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide.

The only way SIN will let a larger bottle of liquid through is with a letter from your doctor/optometrist explaining that the liquid has been prescribed to you and cannot be obtained easily in Asia. Even then I would expect a supervisor to be called and for this to take a while. I am aware of a colleague who recently did this with medication in a large bottle, but it was quite clearly labelled by the pharmacy with my name etc, and I had a not issued by a doctor based in Singapore. Even then it took over 20 minutes to get through security.

As someone else above pointed out, SIN security can be inconsistent and let things through on one day but not on another.

I made a transit at Changi last month. In my hand luggage I brought a 330 ml Alcon solution to use in-flight. It was confiscated at security.

I argued that this was considered medicine and allowed in other countries - and even a supervisor came - but they would not bent; I got the usual answer for this country: "I am so sorry Sir, but we cant do that"

Perhabs I should add that I passed with the same bottle through IST, HKG, BKK, NRT and ICN on this trip without problems...

:td: Changi

OP here. So I came prepared and had only a 2 oz bottle of contact lens solution for my transit thru SIN. Went thru just fine as did liquid prescriptions.

But wouldn't ya know it, they found something else to confiscate - a corkscrew. Apparently not allowed in SIN, but allowed EVERYWHERE else in the world, including LAX, SFO, SNA, ONT, BOS, DEN, IAH, SJC, CUN, FRA, ZRH, DPS, and BKK (to name just a few).

When she said it was not permitted, I said fine, just throw it out (it was a freebie). But no, there was a whole process, a form to sign, and the airline (SQ) had to be involved. Once it we finally got over to the BP check station with the oh so dangerous corkscrew, they wanted to check it thru to BKK (next stop, but we were transiting only). I told SQ to just throw it away which they happily did.

In addition, while looking for the corkscrew, they also asked if I had glasses in my carry-on (as in normal eye glasses). I said yes and pointed them directly at the glasses. They then proceeded to RIP thru my toiletry case (pill bottles, glasses, toothbrush, etc). Not a gentle pawing thru, but literally tearing it apart to the point where it took me a while to actually get everything back in (with no offer of help - which I would have declined anyways - but still). Apparently my battery operated nose hair trimmer also peaked their curiosity and required a rigorous manual inspection :rolleyes:

Seriously Changi, why do you have to be different than EVERYWHERE else on the planet? :td: I'm surprised they haven't put full body scanners everywhere to make security there even more of a nightmare.

weird, I once flew out of Singapore with a 2 litre bottle of 100Plus :)

didn't even realize I had put it in my backpack until I got to the gate and was looking for change to buy something to drink.

Might be worth phoning around a few chemists/pharmacies?
Here in the UK, 100ml saline is easily available from supermarkets and pharmacies - I get mine from Boots, and use that in-flight.

Going to be in London any time before Asia?!

But wouldn't ya know it, they found something else to confiscate - a corkscrew. Apparently not allowed in SIN, but allowed EVERYWHERE else in the world, including LAX, SFO, SNA, ONT, BOS, DEN, IAH, SJC, CUN, FRA, ZRH, DPS, and BKK (to name just a few).
Going a little off topic based on the cork screw story... Last year, I entered Singapore by train. In my luggage was a 6 inch souvenir letter opener. The customs agent found this while xraying my bag. They asked me for my passport and led me to a small, secluded room. It wasn't scary, but then in a foreign country, I tend to get scared when my passport is taken from me. Long story short, I was finally able to talk my way into taking the souvenir with me.

I made a transit at Changi last month. In my hand luggage I brought a 330 ml Alcon solution to use in-flight. It was confiscated at security.

I argued that this was considered medicine and allowed in other countries - and even a supervisor came - but they would not bent; I got the usual answer for this country: "I am so sorry Sir, but we cant do that"

Perhabs I should add that I passed with the same bottle through IST, HKG, BKK, NRT and ICN on this trip without problems...

:td: Changi

I never dare to have my things confiscated but I think I saw someone got their contact lens solutaion confiscated at CPH and ZRH.

The rule is the 100ml of liquid, if you have one that has a little left, you might be able to 'argue' the 100ml thing and maybe get away with it. With a full or half 330ml they have every right to confiscate it.

My sis got her confiscated at ZRH, she had handcreme (tube size but not full) and a 1/3 of a 330ml contact lens solution and they confiscated her contact lens solution. It's so random :td:

This stupid liquid rule is so random - either they should have it or they should abandon it.

The rule is the 100ml of liquid, if you have one that has a little left, you might be able to 'argue' the 100ml thing and maybe get away with it. With a full or half 330ml they have every right to confiscate it.


Every other place I have been thru (granted, I haven't been thru CPH) has an exemption for "medical liquids", which includes contact lens solution. Only Changi doesn't in my experience.

Every other place I have been thru (granted, I haven't been thru CPH) has an exemption for "medical liquids", which includes contact lens solution. Only Changi doesn't in my experience.

The problem is that it's up to a security check staff's definition of 'medical liquids' - could contact lens solution counts at 'medical liquids'? I don't know and I don't want to risk anything in order to find out.

I have 1 bottle of water passed through TSA inspection, when they found out that was water, they immediately handed it back to me and let me through (unopened bottle). I didn't realise it but they let me through - it doesn't mean that I would conclude that I can get a bottle of water through TSA at SFO.

The problem is that it's up to a security check staff's definition of 'medical liquids' - could contact lens solution counts at 'medical liquids'? I don't know and I don't want to risk anything in order to find out.

I have 1 bottle of water passed through TSA inspection, when they found out that was water, they immediately handed it back to me and let me through (unopened bottle). I didn't realise it but they let me through - it doesn't mean that I would conclude that I can get a bottle of water through TSA at SFO.

I'm confused by your statement. At least in the US, the TSA specifically calls out contact lens solution (well, saline in particular) as a permitted medical liquid in any quantity. The individual TSA employee doesn't have any say in the matter unless they are trying to make up rules (as they are known to do). At that point you ask for a supervisor and point them to their own website.

I have no idea how you got thru TSA security with a bottle of water, unopened or not. Every airport I go thru has big garbage cans right at the security screening filled with bottles of water that were discarded.

Now, full disclosure - I just went and looked at the websites of FRA and BKK and NEITHER of them have an exemption for contact lens solution, though I swear I looked before and they were allowed. However, in both locations, I only had my small bottle with because I knew I had SIN to deal with in the future, thus the big bottle was in checked luggage. I think the long trip with a lot of airports has made my memory a little faulty :D

I'm confused by your statement. At least in the US, the TSA specifically calls out contact lens solution (well, saline in particular) as a permitted medical liquid in any quantity. The individual TSA employee doesn't have any say in the matter unless they are trying to make up rules (as they are known to do). At that point you ask for a supervisor and point them to their own website.

I have no idea how you got thru TSA security with a bottle of water, unopened or not. Every airport I go thru has big garbage cans right at the security screening filled with bottles of water that were discarded.

Now, full disclosure - I just went and looked at the websites of FRA and BKK and NEITHER of them have an exemption for contact lens solution, though I swear I looked before and they were allowed. However, in both locations, I only had my small bottle with because I knew I had SIN to deal with in the future, thus the big bottle was in checked luggage. I think the long trip with a lot of airports has made my memory a little faulty :D

Thanks for letting me know that contact lens solution is regarded as medical solution by TSA - I'll google more and find out ^

What I meant was that even though there are guildlines that security staffs have to follow, but they might not 'bother' or 'remember'. I got a full bottle of water through TSA security is a good example of inconsistency.

I also saw a TV programme about CPH that they confiscated something that they clearly said that they don't on their homepage. But when you are in that situation and forget to bring a print out to prove that, what can you do?

My point is that it makes our lives much more difficult if we have to have a print out of which airport allows what.

And in case you ever have troubles, here's the link on TSA's page - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

Thanks for letting me know that contact lens solution is regarded as medical solution by TSA - I'll google more and find out ^

What I meant was that even though there are guildlines that security staffs have to follow, but they might not 'bother' or 'remember'. I got a full bottle of water through TSA security is a good example of inconsistency.

I also saw a TV programme about CPH that they confiscated something that they clearly said that they don't on their homepage. But when you are in that situation and forget to bring a print out to prove that, what can you do?

My point is that it makes our lives much more difficult if we have to have a print out of which airport allows what.

To save you some googling (the TSA doesn't make this really easy to find). I looked for it yesterday and couldn't find it, so I had to go back to the link I had posted earlier :rolleyes:

To save you some googling (the TSA doesn't make this really easy to find). I looked for it yesterday and couldn't find it, so I had to go back to the link I had posted earlier :rolleyes:

Thanks! I couldn't see anywhere in that page saying you can get a 330ml contact lens solution through.

Hopefully the EU is lifting the liquid restriction next April.

Thanks! I couldn't see anywhere in that page saying you can get a 330ml contact lens solution through.

Hopefully the EU is lifting the liquid restriction next April.


Additionally, we are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:


All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
......

However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3.4 ounces (100ml) each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.


Like I said, it specifically lists saline solution, not contact lens solution. That happens to be what I use (not a special solution). There are multiple other reports of almost all contact lens solutions (except for one very specific brand with a lot of hydrogen peroxide) being routinely let thru TSA screening.

And I don't think that anyone will argue that the solution is for medical purposes since you have to have a prescription to even get contacts in the first place. OK, well, if anyone was going to be dumb enough to argue that point, it would be the TSA :D

Sorry to go OT....so back to SIN