Can you bring honey on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will honey remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Honey On A Plane |
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Can You Bring Honey 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 Honey 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 honey on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring honey into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring Honey Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Can you bring honey into the U.S.A.? |
Yes in most cases (see below) |
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How Long Will Honey Last In Your Luggage? |
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Honey: -unopened or opened |
Keeps indefinitely at room temperature |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING HONEY ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Yes, you can bring honey through airport security, but only in limited quantities. Honey 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
Yes, you can bring honey 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 honey as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, be sure the honey is tightly sealed and then overwrap the jar with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the jar inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. To help prevent breakage, roll the bottle inside a thick, washable garment or towel.
Yes, you can bring honey 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 honey onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and consume it during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing honey through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring honey into many foreign countries. But depending on the country, it may have to be in its original packaging and unopened. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.
BRINGING HONEY INTO THE UNITED STATES
Yes, the United States generally allows travelers to bring commercially packaged honey into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country.
Note that even if the honey 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. 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.
Honey, whether unopened or opened, keeps indefinitely 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.
