Can you bring juice on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will juice remain safe to drink when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
|
Bringing Juice On A Plane |
|
|
Can You Bring Juice on Domestic Flights Within the U.S.A.? |
|
|
Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – limit of 3.4 ounces allowed through airport security, except for infants and toddlers (see below) |
|
Checked Luggage: |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Can You Bring Juice on International Flights Originating in the U.S.A? |
|
|
Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – limit of 3.4 ounces allowed through airport security, except for infants and toddlers (see below)* |
|
Checked Luggage: |
Yes* |
|
|
|
|
*You can bring juice on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring juice into your foreign destination (see details below). |
|
|
|
|
|
Can You Bring Juice Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
|
|
Can you bring juice into the U.S.A.? |
Yes in most cases (see below) |
|
|
|
|
How Long Will Juice Last In Your Luggage? |
|
|
Juice, sold refrigerated – unopened or opened package: |
-2 hours at room temperature |
|
Juice, sold unrefrigerated - opened package: - unopened package: |
-2 hours at room temperature -Several months at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING JUICE ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring juice through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes — but unless you’re travelling with an infant or toddler, you can only bring juice through airport security in quantities of 3.4 ounces or less. Juice 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.
The exception to this rule is when you are travelling with an infant or a toddler (defined by the TSA as a child who receives assistance in walking by an adult). In that case, you can bring juice through airport security in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces and you do not need to place the juice within a quart-sized plastic bag. You’ll need to remove the juice from your carry-on bag to be screened separately by TSA agents.
Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security
Can you bring frozen juice through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes — but only if it is completely frozen solid when you are passing through the TSA checkpoint. If the juice is even partially thawed, the TSA screeners will likely bring it from you. (Note also that in many other countries, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, passengers are not permitted to bring frozen liquids in excess of 3.4 ounces through airport security).
Can you buy juice in the airport after you have passed through airport security and bring it onto the plane?
Yes, once you have passed through the TSA checkpoint and are in the secure area of the airport, you can purchase juice — any size is allowable at this point — and bring it on board with you in your hand luggage.
Can you bring juice on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring juice in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. And unlike the case with carry-on baggage, you can bring as much juice as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, place the juice in a tightly sealed container and then overwrap it with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the sealed container inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. For juice that needs to be kept refrigerated, pack it along with some ice or a frozen gel pack to keep it cold throughout the trip.
Can you bring juice on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring juice 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 juice onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and drink it during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing juice through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally. And as noted above, you can also buy juice once you have passed through airport security and bring it on the plane with you.
You can also bring juice into many foreign countries. But depending on the country, it may have to be commercially packaged, shelf stable, and unopened. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING JUICE INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring juice on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
The United States generally allows travelers to bring canned or vacuum-packed juice into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country. Fresh-squeezed juices, on the other hand, are typically prohibited.
Note that even if the juice 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. This can be a time-consuming process. 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 JUICE LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Juice that was sold refrigerated will usually remain safe to drink for about 2 hours when stored at room temperature, whether opened or unopened. Juice that was sold unrefrigerated will keep for many months at room temperature while unopened. Once it has been opened, however, it will only remain safe to drink for about 2 hours when stored at room temperature.
You can bring ice or a frozen gel pack to keep juice 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.
