International Traveler: Fruits and Vegetables (2024)

FAQs

Can you bring fresh fruit on an international flight? ›

Fresh fruits and vegetables are cleared by TSA in checked bags, and most of the time TSA is OK with bringing solid, fresh foods in carry-ons. If they are soft, mashed, or liquid, they are subject to the organization's 3-1-1 rule.

Packing Fruit in Hold Luggage

It could even leak outside of your bag causing damage to other passengers' items too. However, if you do need to travel with fruit in your hold luggage, you'll want to make sure that it is well packaged. You should wrap the fruit well, and if possible, keep it in an airtight container.

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms. U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases.

Meat, seafood, vegetables and other non-liquid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. If the food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen when brought through screening.

You are allowed to carry fruits (and plants sometimes) on a flight because it is not against any aviation safety requirement. However, to take the fruits or plants into a foreign country is subject to the local Customs or Health requirement so very often you have to declare it when you bring it to a foreign country.

Checked Bags: Yes

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

You can bring just about any ​​solid, packaged food on a plane, as long as it fits comfortably in your carry-on. This includes bread, cooked meat, hard-boiled eggs, candy, cereal, cookies, crackers, chips, dried fruit, and nuts, as well as sandwiches, wraps, pizza, pasta, and salads.

If your intent is to eat it on the plane, then yes. However: the problem arises as you may not have a knife to cut the fruit. US customs and pretty much every other country's customs will stop you from bringing fresh fruit without a permit. Therefore, it would be unwise to check the mango as well.

Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials. For generally allowed food items please visit USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

How do you carry fruit while traveling? ›

Fruits and vegetables, pre-packaged

Before your trip, cut fruits (like melon) and vegetables (like carrots and celery) then pack in cooler-ready containers.

Poisons and infectious substances such as insecticides, weed-killers and live virus materials. Anything that possesses and/or is capable of possessing and/or emitting a conspicuous and/or offensive odour. Other dangerous articles such as magnetized materials, offensive or irritating materials.

You must declare all food products. If you declare all agricultural products you are bringing into the United States, you will not be penalized even if an agricultural specialist determines they cannot enter the country. If you fail to declare food products, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.

If you are travelling in the EU you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on the U.S. Customs Declaration Forms 6059B.

Certain plants and plant-based products (fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, etc.) are possible vectors of contamination from harmful organisms. They are therefore subject to a compulsory phytosanitary inspection when they enter the European Union.

As you've seen from this guide, most -if not all -countries have restrictions on fruits and vegetables entering their country from abroad, so if you have fruit products in your carry-on, they should at the very least be eaten before you land.