Can you bring BBQ sauce on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will BBQ sauce remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.
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Bringing Barbecue Sauce On A Plane |
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Can You Bring BBQ Sauce 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 BBQ Sauce 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 BBQ sauce on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring BBQ sauce into your foreign destination (see details below). |
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Can You Bring BBQ Sauce Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight? |
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Can you bring BBQ sauce into the U.S.A.? |
Yes in most cases (see below) |
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How Long Will BBQ Sauce Last In Your Luggage? |
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Barbecue sauce, commercially bottled: -unopened |
12-18 months at room temperature |
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-opened |
1 month at room temperature once opened |
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com
BRINGING BBQ SAUCE ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.
Can you bring BBQ sauce through airport security in your carry-on baggage?
Yes, you can bring BBQ sauce through airport security, but only in limited quantities. Barbecue sauce 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 BBQ sauce on an airplane in your checked baggage?
Yes, you can bring BBQ sauce 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 barbecue sauce as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, be sure the BBQ sauce is tightly sealed and then overwrap the bottle with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the bottle inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. To help prevent breakage, roll the bottle inside a thick, washable garment or towel.
Can you bring BBQ sauce on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?
Yes, you can bring BBQ sauce 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 barbecue sauce 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 BBQ sauce through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
You can also bring barbecue sauce 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 BBQ SAUCE INTO THE UNITED STATES
Can you bring BBQ sauce on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?
Yes, the United States generally allows travelers to bring commercially bottled BBQ sauce into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country.
Note that even if the BBQ sauce 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.
FOOD SAFETY: HOW LONG WILL BBQ SAUCE LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Unopened BBQ sauce will usually keep well for about 12-18 months at room temperature. Opened BBQ sauce will typically keep well for about 1 month 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.
