Can you bring nuts on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will nuts remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Nuts On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Nuts 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 Nuts 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 nuts on board and consume them during the flight. But you might not be able to bring nuts into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Nuts Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Carry-On or Checked Luggage: |
Yes - if roasted, oven dried, ground, pureed, cooked, boiled, or steamed |
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Maybe - if raw and the shell is removed (see details below). |
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How Long Will Nuts Last In Your Luggage? |
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Nuts – commercially packaged or purchased in bulk, out of the shell |
-2 to 4 weeks at room temperature after opening for most types |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING NUTS ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring nuts through airport security in your carry-on baggage. Any type of nut is typically permitted, including peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, pistachios, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts and brazil nuts.
If the nuts are no longer in their original packaging, they should be wrapped or placed in a resealable bag or container with a secure lid. There is no limit to the quantity of nuts you can bring in your carry-on: You can pack as many nuts as you’d like and will fit into your allowable hand luggage.
Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security
Yes, you can bring nuts in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. You can bring as many nuts as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage.
Yes, you can bring nuts on an international flight departing from the U.S. — but depending on where you’re going, you may not be able to bring the nuts off the plane once you arrive at your destination.
If your intention is to bring the nuts 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 nuts through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring nuts into many foreign countries. But depending on the country, they may have to be commercially packaged and unopened. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING NUTS INTO THE UNITED STATES
The United States generally allows travelers to bring any nuts that have been roasted, oven dried, ground, pureed, cooked, boiled, or steamed into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country. Raw nuts may be allowed if the shell has been removed, but are subject to inspection.
Note that even if the nuts are 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.
Commercially packaged nuts that have been opened, or nuts purchased in bulk and out of the shell, will usually keep well for about 2 to 4 weeks when stored at room temperature.
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.
