Can you bring gravy on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will gravy remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Gravy On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Gravy on Domestic Flights Within the U.S.A.? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes |
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Can You Bring Gravy on International Flights Originating in the U.S.A? |
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Carry-On Baggage: |
Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security* |
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Checked Luggage: |
Yes* |
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*You can bring gravy on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring gravy into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Gravy Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Can you bring gravy into the U.S.A.? |
No in most cases (see below) |
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How Long Will Gravy Last In Your Luggage? |
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Gravy, homemade |
-2 hours at room temperature |
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Gravy, sold unrefrigerated: -commercially packaged, opened |
-2 hours at room temperature
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- commercially packaged, unopened |
-12 to 18 months at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING GRAVY ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring gravy through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, you can bring gravy through airport security, but only in limited quantities. Gravy 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.
Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security
Can you bring gravy on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring gravy in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. Both homemade gravy and commercially packaged gravy are allowable. And unlike the case with carry-on baggage, you can bring as much gravy as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, be sure the gravy is in a tightly sealed jar or container and then overwrap it with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the container inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. To help prevent breakage, roll the jar inside a thick, washable garment or towel. Since gravy is perishable, you should pack it along with some ice or a frozen gel pack to keep it cold throughout the trip.
Can you bring gravy on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring gravy on an international flight departing from the U.S. — but depending on where you’re going, you may not be able to bring the gravy off the plane once you arrive at your destination. When it comes to bringing it on the plane, the TSA applies the same rules for allowing gravy through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
But taking the gravy off the plane and bringing it into a foreign country is a different matter. The rules around bringing in food items that contain meat and poultry can be strict in many countries. Some countries may also restrict or prohibit homemade gravy — Mexico, for instance, does not allow most homemade food into the country. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING GRAVY INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring gravy 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 products that contain meat or poultry.
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 GRAVY LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Homemade gravy will usually remain safe for 2 hours when stored at room temperature. Commercially bottled or canned gravy that was purchased unrefrigerated will generally keep well for about 18 months if unopened and stored at room temperature. Once opened, it will usually stay safe for 2 hours at room temperature.
You can bring ice or a frozen gel pack to keep the gravy 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.
