Can you bring pie on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will pie remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Pie On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Pie on Domestic Flights Within the U.S.A.? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes |
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Can You Bring Pie on International Flights Originating in the U.S.A? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes* |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes* |
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*You can bring pie on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring pie into your foreign destination (see details below).
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Can You Bring Pie Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Carry-On or Checked Luggage: |
Yes in most cases |
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How Long Will Pie Last In Your Luggage? |
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Fruit Pie - freshly baked: |
1 to 2 days at room temperature
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Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie -Homemade, freshly baked: -Store-bought, sold at room temperature |
-2 hours at room temperature -Date on package at room temperature |
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Cream Pie, Chiffon pie - freshly baked: |
-2 hours at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING PIE ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring pie through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring pie through airport security in your carry-on baggage. You can bring a whole pie or pie slices through the TSA checkpoint, and both store-bought and homemade pies are allowed. If the pie isn’t already pre-packaged, it should be wrapped or placed in a container with a secure lid. There is no limit to the quantity of pie you can bring in your carry-on: You can pack as much pie as you’d like and will fit into your allowable hand luggage.
Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security
Can you bring pie on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring pie in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. You can bring as much pie as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To prevent pies from getting crushed, pack them in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids.
Can you bring pie on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring pie 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 pie onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and eat it during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing pie through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring pie into many foreign countries. But some countries may restrict or prohibit homemade pie — Mexico, for instance, does not allow most homemade food into the country. Pie containing meat is also prohibited in many countries. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING PIE INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring pie on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
Yes, the United States generally allows travelers to bring most types of baked pies into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country. Pies containing meat are typically not allowed.
Note that even though pies are typically 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). 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 PIE LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Freshly baked fruit pie will usually remain safe to eat for 1 to 2 days when stored at room temperature. Freshly baked pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cream pie and chiffon pie can be kept safely for about 2 hours at room temperature, after which time they need to be refrigerated. You can bring ice or a frozen gel pack to keep pie 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.
