Can you bring pastries on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will pastries remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Pastries On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Pastries 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 Pastries 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 pastries on board and consume them during the flight. But you might not be able to bring pastries into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Pastries 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 Pastries Last In Your Luggage? |
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Pastries, freshly baked: |
1 to 2 days at room temperature* (*2 hours at room temperature if filling contains eggs or dairy products, such as whipped cream or cream cheese) |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING PASTRIES ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring pastries through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring pastries through airport security in your carry-on baggage. You can bring both store-bought and homemade pastries through the TSA checkpoint. Just about any type of pastry can pass through the TSA checkpoint, including croissants, danishes, cannolis, macarons (French macaroons) and eclairs.
If the pastries aren’t already packaged, they should be wrapped or placed in a resealable bag or container with a secure lid. There is no limit to the quantity of pastries you can bring in your carry-on: You can pack as many pastries 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 pastries on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring pastries in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. You can bring as many pastries as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To prevent pastries from getting crushed, pack them in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids.
Can you bring pastries on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring pastries 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 pastries onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and eat them during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing pastries through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring commercially packaged pastries into many foreign countries, but some may restrict or prohibit homemade pastries — Mexico, for instance, does not allow most homemade food into the country. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING PASTRIES INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring pastries on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
Yes, the United States generally allows travelers to bring pastries into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country.
Note that even though pastries 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 PASTRIES LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Freshly baked pastries will usually remain safe to eat for about 1 to 2 days when stored at room temperature. The exception is pastries that contain filling made with dairy products or eggs, such as whipped cream, cream cheese or custard. These pastries will last about 2 hours at room temperature, after which time they need to be refrigerated.
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.
