Summary
Figuring out how to pack souvenirs can be a tricky business, especially when you’re taking home anything remotely edible. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stringent rules for liquids, you may be surprised by how many items you can bring along in your carry-on, including hard cheese, frozen seafood, and even fresh eggs.
Confused? To help you avoid having to dispose of your purchases at the airport, we’ve broken down the regulations for common foodstuffs. Certain creamy or liquid foods, such as peanut butter, olive oil, and salsa, simply have to comply with TSA’s 3-1-1 rule or be placed in checked baggage. Bear in mind that while the organization has a handy list of foods you can and cannot fly with on its website, in practice it’s often the TSA agent in your security line who makes the call about a particular item.
Take It With You
The following foods are all TSA-approved, making it easy for you to pack them in your carry-on. Just note that some items, like baby formula, require extra screening. To be on the safe side, make sure you label any food items that may not be easily recognizable, such as protein powder or spices.
Vacuum-sealed Meats and Hard Cheeses
Since both of these items are non-liquid, they can be safely packed in your carry-on or checked bag. To be safe, ensure they’re in vacuum-sealed packaging. Shops worldwide often sell pre-sealed products or even have equipment to seal them for you, according to My Recipes. Creamy cheese products can also be carried on if they’re less than 3.4 ounces.
Spices
As spices are dried, they are generally fine for travel. Make sure they are clearly labeled and unopened to avoid any confusion. Pro tip: Only buy spices that you can’t find at home if you’re on the lookout for a great souvenir for food enthusiasts. These can go in your carry-on or checked bag.
Dried Goods
This includes pasta, dry beans, grains, and other pantry items that contain no liquid. These can be in your carry-on or checked bag.
Packaged Snacks
For travelers eager to bring home interesting snacks from renowned food destinations, as long as everything is sealed, it’s good to go. Unopened snacks such as granola bars, nuts, chips, crackers, and cookies are safe for both carry-on and checked bags.
Chocolates and Candy
Confectionery candy and chocolate (hardened) are perfectly fine to carry on your flight. Keep everything neat and packaged, allowing you to pack sweets in your carry-on or checked bag without worry.
Bread
Yes, you can even bring home that baguette. Request proper packaging from the bakery to prevent crumbs in your bag, but otherwise, bread of any kind is acceptable in both carry-on and checked luggage.
Coffee Beans and Tea Leaves
Coffee beans, loose tea leaves, or dry tea sachets are all categorized as dry goods, so the same rules apply here.
Cooked Food (Non-liquid)
Inform your family that you’re happy to take home extra Thanksgiving turkey, but you’ll need to leave the gravy in your checked bag. Cooked foods of any type, as long as there are no liquids, are safe for both carry-on and checked bags.
Dried Fruit
While fresh fruits and vegetables can be tricky, their dried counterparts are officially permissible. The same rules for dried goods and packaged snacks apply.
Fresh Eggs
Interestingly, even fresh eggs are permissible in both carry-on and checked bags. Although they’re technically liquid on the inside, they’re still classified as solid food by TSA standards. However, it can be a bit risky to transport them, for obvious reasons.
Juice and Baby Formula
Parents traveling with baby formula and juices in carry-on bags must adhere to special guidelines. These items are fine in checked luggage, but if you wish to bring them onto the plane, they will require a special screening.
Pizza
Feel free to take that extra-large pepperoni pie with you, as TSA is pizza-friendly. Although it might be slightly messy to pack as a souvenir, this is great news for those wishing to grab a quick bite before heading through security.
Pies and Cakes
Pies and cakes are cleared for takeoff as well, so holiday travelers can relax. While it’s uncertain how TSA views fruit filling, according to their website, these items are okay for both carry-on and checked bags.
Protein and Energy Powder
These need to be mixed with liquid to be consumed but remain dry products, similar to spices. Thus, the same rules apply. Ensure everything is properly labeled and sealed.
Sandwiches
You can stop by the deli for a sandwich before boarding your flight, but remember to leave any liquid dipping sauce behind (if it’s over 3.4 ounces).
Pack It, Ship It, or Leave It
If you’re set on traveling with an item on the list below, your only option might be to pack it in your checked luggage. In some instances, certain items are prohibited from air travel, such as high-proof alcohol.
High-alcohol Liquor
Liquors exceeding 70 percent alcohol (140 proof) are not permitted on planes. This category includes liquors like Everclear, grain alcohol, and specific whiskies, vodkas, absinthes, and rums. Always ensure you know what you’re purchasing before flying. When uncertain, shipping it home is the best choice.
Canned Food
Canned goods are acceptable to fly in a checked bag, but they usually fall under TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. This can be problematic as most cans exceed 3.4 ounces and would necessitate additional screening. It is advisable to check it or ship it home.
Oils, Vinegars, and Honey
Items such as olive oil, special cooking oils, vinegars, honey, and similar products make fantastic foodie gifts, but they present a challenge since they are all liquids. While you can place them in checked luggage, you’ll need to buy small containers to comply with the 3-1-1 rule if you wish to carry them on.
Dips, Jams, Creamy Cheese, and Spreads
Unfortunately, the 3-1-1 rule applies to creamy or spreadable items since they have a gel-like consistency. Items such as salsa, creamy cheese, dips, peanut butter, jams, and preserves are all acceptable in checked baggage but can only be carried on in containers of less than 3.4 ounces.
Yogurt, Gravy, and Other Liquid Food
If you can transport these in solid form (by freezing them, for example), that’s ideal. Otherwise, liquid foods like yogurt or gravy aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage if in containers larger than 3.4 ounces and should be placed in checked baggage or shipped home.
Fresh Fruits or Vegetables
When packing these items, caution is necessary. Fresh fruits and vegetables are cleared by TSA in checked bags, and typically there are no issues with bringing solid, fresh foods in carry-ons. However, if they are soft, mashed, or liquid, they fall under the 3-1-1 rule. Travelers from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot bring most fresh fruits and vegetables. These regulations may differ for those traveling internationally.
Fresh Meat or Seafood
According to TSA, these foods must be packaged properly and completely frozen at the time of screening. This rule includes ice and ice packs used to maintain the food’s frozen state. Complying with these guidelines will allow you to bring these items in both carry-on and checked luggage.
Wine or Other Alcoholic Beverages
Beverages, including wine, that are over 24 percent alcohol (but under 70 percent alcohol) are only acceptable in checked luggage. Moreover, there is a limit of five liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger. Mini bottles are allowed in your carry-on as long as they are under 3.4 ounces and fit in your single, one-quart bag. Just remember that the FAA restricts passengers from consuming alcohol on board unless it is served by a crew member.
International Travel
If you are entering the United States from another country, you will undergo customs screening where your bag may be examined. The rules and regulations regarding what is permissible to bring into the U.S. differ from TSA guidelines. For a list of A-OK items, always check the latest regulations from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. To understand what foods you’re allowed to bring when traveling outside of the U.S., you will need to verify the regulations for your destination country.
