Packing your Korea haul: carry-on or checked?
A decision path for every item in your haul — what must be checked in, what needs a rules check, and why product weight is only part of your baggage math.
Where each kind of item goes
| Item type | Cabin | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Solids (sheet-mask-free snacks, tools) | Fine | Fine |
| Liquids/gels ≤ 100 ml | Fine, inside the 1L bag | Fine |
| Liquids/gels > 100 ml | No (unless airport-duty-free STEB) | Usually fine |
| Non-flammable aerosols | Within limits | Within limits |
| Flammable aerosols, >70% alcohol | No | No |
Baggage weight sanity check
- Your planner total is the weight of the products only — the suitcase, clothes, and everything else come on top
- Your allowance is whatever your e-ticket says for your fare — not a generic number for the airline
- On multi-leg trips, every flight's allowance has to work, not just the first one
- Weigh your actual bag before heading to the airport if you are anywhere near the limit
If your itinerary has a codeshare, the operating airline's rules govern your bags — the airline on your booking screen may not be the one flying the plane.
A simple packing order
Pack heavy and over-100 ml items into the checked bag first. Keep your 1L liquids bag accessible near the top of your carry-on for screening. Anything the rules are unclear about — pads, cushions, aerosols — decide before you get to the belt, not at it.
Plan your haul with these rules built in