Can Food Be Packed for International Flights?
If you are diligent about obeying Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) guidelines in the United States and abroad, you can pack food for international flights in your carry-on or checked baggage without any negative consequences.
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Portability
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If you're packing for a long trip, choose to bring foods that can be eaten and cleaned up easily, such as granola bars or other easily portable items.
Messy foods
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Do not bring liquids, pastes, sauces, or other foods that could leak out of baggage. If you do pack these items, remember that the TSA prohibits any liquid, gel, or aerosol items of more than 3.4 ounces in carry-on baggage, so you must check those items.
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Embassy approval
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If you plan to bring foreign food items to another country, check with the U.S. Embassy in that country before packing so you can be sure that the items are approved.
Customs
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Your food could be seized, searched, or confiscated if you don't declare it on a customs form when traveling to another country. Always declare foreign items on these forms.
Checked items
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If you must bring food items that aren't approved for carry-on, place them in your checked baggage, but wrap them carefully. Each airport has guidelines for what to bring in checked and carry-on baggage, so check with airport websites or call individual airports before flying to confirm their regulations. Los Angeles International Airport for example, urges passengers not to pack food or drinks in checked baggage because of the potential of spillage.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jakob Montrasio
