Can you bring hard-boiled eggs on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will hard-boiled eggs remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Hard-Boiled Eggs On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Hard-Boiled Eggs 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 Hard-Boiled Eggs 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 hard-boiled eggs on board and consume them during the flight. But you might not be able to bring hard-boiled eggs into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Hard-Boiled Eggs Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Carry-On or Checked Luggage: |
No in most cases
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How Long Will Hard-Boiled Eggs Last In Your Luggage? |
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Eggs – hard-boiled |
2 hours at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING HARD-BOILED EGGS ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring hard-boiled eggs through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring hard-boiled eggs through airport security in your carry-on baggage. If the hard-boiled eggs aren’t already pre-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 hard-boiled eggs you can bring in your carry-on: You can pack as many 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 hard-boiled eggs on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring hard-boiled eggs in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. You can bring as many hard-boiled eggs as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To prevent hard-boiled eggs from getting crushed, pack them in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids. Since hard-boiled eggs are perishable, you should pack them along with some ice or a frozen gel pack to keep them cold throughout the trip.
Can you bring hard-boiled eggs on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring hard-boiled eggs on an international flight departing from the U.S. — but depending on where you’re going, you may not be able to bring the hard-boiled eggs off the plane once you arrive at your destination.
If your intention is to bring the hard-boiled eggs 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 hard-boiled eggs through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
But taking the hard-boiled eggs off the plane and bringing them into a foreign country is a different matter. The rules around bringing in food items that contain eggs can be strict in many countries. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING HARD-BOILED EGGS INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring hard-boiled eggs on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
In most cases, the answer is no. The United States has strict rules about allowing travelers to bring in food items that contain eggs.
Note also that 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 HARD-BOILED EGGS LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Hard-boiled eggs can be kept safely for about 2 hours at room temperature. You can bring ice or a frozen gel pack to keep them 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.
FUN FACT: If you're a fan of bringing hard-boiled eggs in your carry on, you're not alone: Martha Stewart also brings her own hard-boiled eggs on a plane when she travels. (In her case, eggs laid by her own chickens.)
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.
