She sells sea shells by the sea shore. She also sells seafood by the…okay, didn't know where we could go from there. The point is many of you may be interested in bringing seafood back from your trip and wondering if it's possible.
Today we bring you good news! In most circumstances, your seafood is good to go. Just follow our advice below and your trip through security will go swimmingly.
A Snacking Oppor-tuna-ty
No matter if you’re putting together a tuna snack for your plane ride or taking home some fresh smoked salmon from your latest trip to Alaska, there are some things to know about bringing cooked seafood with you through security. As long as the seafood isn’t in liquid, you will have no issue bringing it in your carry-on or checked bag. However, if there is liquid packaged with the food – and yes, this includes any canned seafood – you will have to pack the item in your checked bag or leave it at home.
Do it for the Halibut
Be sure to follow the proper protocol for seafood that needs to be kept on ice. If it 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. Ice or ice packs that are partially melted and have liquid at the bottom of the container will not be permitted.
You also can pack frozen perishables in your carry-on or checked bags in dry ice. Just remember that the FAA limits you to 5 pounds of dry ice that is properly packaged and marked. Visit the FAA website for more information.
Don’t Get Crabby
You may be asking yourself, “Can I bring my favorite blue crabs home with me?” Well, you’re in luck. Live seafood is permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. If you choose to bring live seafood, we recommend you place your seafood in a separate, ideally clear, container and remove it from the rest of your items for the screening process.
Want to Talk to Salmon Else?
While our officers will happily screen any item, we recommend that you check with the airline to ensure it will fit in the overhead bin or under the seat.
We want to make sure you have all your questions answered before your next flight. So if you’re getting ready to travel with your favorite seafood, you can reach out to AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger 7 days a week to answer all your fishy questions. Or, if you prefer to speak with a representative, you can reach out to the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
