Can you bring cranberry sauce on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will cranberry sauce remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Cranberry Sauce On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Cranberry Sauce on Domestic Flights Within the U.S.A.? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes |
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Can You Bring Cranberry Sauce on International Flights Originating in the U.S.A? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security* |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes* |
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*You can bring cranberry sauce on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring cranberry sauce into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Cranberry Sauce Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Can you bring cranberry sauce into the U.S.A.? |
Yes if commercially packaged (see below) |
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How Long Will Cranberry Sauce Last In Your Luggage? |
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Cranberry sauce, homemade |
-2 hours at room temperature |
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Cranberry sauce, sold unrefrigerated: -commercially packaged, opened |
-2 hours at room temperature
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- commercially packaged, unopened |
-12 to 18 months at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING CRANBERRY SAUCE ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring cranberry sauce through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, you can bring cranberry sauce through airport security, but only in limited quantities. Cranberry sauce falls under the Transportation Security Administration’s “3-1-1 liquids rule”, which requires that all liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage be stored in 3.4-ounce (100 ml) or smaller containers — all of which must fit into one quart-sized plastic bag.
Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security
Can you bring cranberry sauce on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring cranberry sauce in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. Both homemade cranberry sauce and commercially packaged cranberry sauce are allowable. And unlike the case with carry-on baggage, you can bring as much cranberry sauce as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, be sure the cranberry sauce is in a tightly sealed container and then overwrap it with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the container inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Since cranberry sauce is perishable, you should pack it along with some ice or a frozen gel pack to keep it cold throughout the trip.
Can you bring cranberry sauce on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring cranberry sauce on an international flight departing from the U.S., either in your carry-on baggage or your checked luggage. If your intention is to bring the cranberry sauce onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and consume it during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing cranberry sauce through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring cranberry sauce into many foreign countries. But depending on the country, it may have to be commercially packaged, shelf stable, and unopened. Some countries may also restrict or prohibit homemade cranberry sauce — Mexico, for instance, does not allow most homemade food into the country. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING CRANBERRY SAUCE INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring cranberry sauce on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
The United States generally allows travelers to bring commercially canned or vacuum-packed cranberry sauce into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country.
Note that even if the cranberry sauce is allowed, you must declare all foods that you bring into the United States — whether they are allowable or not — to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and permit them to be inspected by a CBP agent. The penalties for failing to declare your food items can be steep; bear in mind also that the CBP routinely conducts random screenings for arriving passengers.
FOOD SAFETY: HOW LONG WILL CRANBERRY SAUCE LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Homemade cranberry sauce will usually remain safe for 2 hours when stored at room temperature. Cranberry sauce that was purchased unrefrigerated will generally keep well for about 18 months if unopened and stored at room temperature. Once opened, it will usually stay safe for 2 hours at room temperature.
You can bring ice or a frozen gel pack to keep the cranberry sauce cooler longer. But ice or gel packs in your carry-on luggage must be completely frozen when passing through airport security — if they are even partially thawed, the TSA screeners will likely bring them from you.
Note: While the above information is based on applicable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines at the time of publication, the final decision for whether to allow a food item through airport security or into the United States rests with the TSA and CBP officers on duty at the airport. Regulations also change frequently: For the latest information, check the US Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration websites.
