Can You Bring Chocolate On A Plane?
Your Complete Guide To Bringing Chocolate On Your Next Flight
- Nathan Heinrich
- USA, Italy & The World
Are you a chocoholic?
Does the idea of spending hours and hours trapped 35,000ft in the air without your favorite chocolate give you serious anxiety?
Well then, as a chocolate lover, you will want to read this article to learn what kind of chocolate you are allowed to bring on a plane in your carry-on luggage.
Airport security and TSA regulations have very specific rules on the types of food and types of chocolate candy you can pack in your hand baggage for your next flight.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about bringing chocolate on an airborne vacation.
So, Can You Bring Chocolate On A Plane, Or Not?
The good news is that you absolutely can bring chocolate on a plane, in your carry-on baggage.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Before you find yourself in front of TSA officers and security staff at a security checkpoint in an international airport with your hand luggage at maximum capacity with every imaginable type of chocolate, you will want to be aware of the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Solid Chocolate
Solid chocolate is permitted in your carry-on bag by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) in practically any form.
This includes chocolate bars, dark chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, chocolate chips, chocolate peanut butter cups, and any type of chocolate in solid form.
In general, food is allowed on airplanes.
Even though you are not allowed to bring a bottle of water through airport security, you are in fact allowed to bring your own food.
A sandwich, chips, and most types of solid food items and snacks including as much solid chocolate as you like are permitted through any TSA checkpoint.
Spreadable Chocolate
When it comes to carrying chocolate in a spreadable form such as chocolate sauce or chocolate spread such as Nutella in your carry-on luggage, air passengers must follow the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.
You see, food items like Nutella and peanut butter are in the same category as liquids in the eyes of US customs and TSA airport security.
The 3-1-1 rule states that any liquids (spreadable chocolate sauce included) must be in small quantities less than 3.4 oz (100 milliliters).
These items must be packed in a clear sealable quart-sized plastic bag when brought on your flight in your hand luggage.
If these TSA rules are too restrictive for you, then you can certainly pack your favorite spreadable chocolate sweet treat, chocolate gel candy, or any other types of candy in your checked luggage.
Liquid Chocolate
If you are planning a flight where you will be traveling with chocolate in liquid form, you will want to abide by the 3-1-1 liquid rules.
Liquid chocolate includes items such as chocolate milk, chocolate liqueur, alcoholic beverages made of chocolate, chocolate melt, chocolate syrup, or any other types of liquid foods made of chocolate can be brought onto your flight in your hand luggage as long as it is in containers smaller than 3.4oz (100 milliliters) packed in a quart-sized bag.
TSA agents will give you no trouble as your items pass through an airport x-ray machine so long as you follow all TSA security rules.
Checked baggage is the best bet for these liquid items and the best way to ensure that your liquid candy and chocolate make it past airport staff without any additional screening.
TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule
When on international flights originating in the United States, the United Kingdom, or most foreign countries the rules for chocolate in reasonable quantities are quite similar.
Extra screening for international travel can have different rules, but if you abide by the TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids on planes you will most likely have no issues with airport security.
There are some exceptions to the TSA liquids rule.
Medications in syrup or liquid form are allowed on flights, in your carry-on luggage, without restrictions.
While some countries may require documentation to accompany these medications, the United States and the TSA do not require any documentation so long as the medication is in its original packaging.
Other liquid items that are allowed on planes, in your carry-on bags, are child nutritional items like baby food milk formula, chocolate milk, or even breast milk.
If you bring something for your child to drink in liquid form in a bottle or other type of child cup you should have to issues with airport security officers.
Nearly any personal item related to your child will be allowed in your carry-on bag.
Checked baggage (also called “hold luggage” or “hold baggage”) that goes in the cargo hold of a plane is always the safest bet for all other non-essential liquid items.
If you have a special liquid item that must be kept cold with ice packs, your checked bag is the best spot for such items to ensure that they arrive safely with you to your final destination.
Attempting to bring a liquid (non-solid item) in your carry-on luggage runs you the risk of having it confiscated by airport security officers.
Not All Chocolate Is Created Equal
While solid chocolate is a favorite snack for a lot of people to bring along with them on a flight because you can bring as much as you like without restrictions, there are other types of chocolates that fall into more of a grey area.
Chocolate candies with solid filling are permitted on planes without restrictions, however, candies filled with gel or liquid fillings such as cranberry sauce, maple syrup, or other jellies and jammed fresh fruits are limited by the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Summary
Whether you’re a frequent traveler to various countries around the globe or preparing for your first flight to a foreign country, you are allowed to bring as much chocolate in a solid form onto a plane as you like.
However, if you find yourself traveling with chocolate in liquid or spreadable form, you are permitted to bring a small container of 3.4 oz (100 milliliters) or less in your carry-on baggage as long as it is sealed in a quart-sized clear plastic bag.
Chocolate spreads and chocolate liqueurs make great gifts.
If you are unsure whether your chocolate gift is permitted on your next flight, you might be safest packing it along with any other non-essential items in your checked baggage.
If your liquid items are best kept cold with gel packs of ice rather than at room temperature, you will most certainly want to stow them in your checked luggage.
The only major exception to the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule is for baby food liquid items such as milk and formula, as well as medications.
If you are traveling with an infant or small child who drinks from a bottle, you should have no problem with these items in your carry-on luggage as you pass through airport security checkpoints.
Another notable exception to the TSA rules for liquids is when you are traveling with essential medication in liquid form.
Liquid medication in its original container or packaging is considered exempt from TSA rules especially if it will be needed during your flight.
If you do not need the liquid medication you are traveling with during your flight, it is advised that you pack it in your checked luggage.
The good news for chocolate lovers is that you may bring as much chocolate in solid forms such as chocolate candy bars, chocolate truffles, or chocolate-covered nuts in your carry-on bags as you like.
In general, chocolate candy, in any amount, is allowed in the cabin of a plane.
Just be sure to be careful how much spreadable or liquid chocolate you attempt to carry onto a plane in your hand luggage.
These forms of chocolate are limited to 3.4 oz (100 millimeters) in your carry-on bag.
It would most likely be best to pack chocolate sauces or spreads in your checked bags.
You are free to enjoy as much chocolate candy as you like on your next flight!
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Author Info:
Nathan Heinrich
Nathan is a writer, designer & horticulturist. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of "All Roads Lead to Italy" Magazine & host of the Top-10 Travel Podcast, "I'm Moving To Italy!". Nathan was born and raised in a 6th generation farming family in Northern California, he is currently, a dual Italian citizen, living in the Prosecco Valley of Northern Italy, near Venice.