Traveling for the holidays? How to Pack Food and Gift Items
Air Travel
When it comes to bringing items through checkpoints, we've seen just about everything. Traveling for the holidays is an even bigger challenge. Everyone has favorite foods from home that they want to bring to Thanksgiving dinner, or items from their destination that they want to bring back home.
Not sure about what you can and can't bring through the checkpoint*? Here's a list of liquid, aerosol and gel items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home:
- Gravy
- Salad dressing
- Oils and vinegars
- Cranberry sauce
- Salsa
- Sauces
- Maple syrup
- Creamy dips
- Wine, liquor and beer
- Other beverages
- Jams
- Jellies
- Soups
Note: You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but be advised that they might be subject to additional screening.
Picking up a last-minute gift at the airport or taking holiday gifts from home on your flight? 3-1-1 applies to gifts purchased before the checkpoint* too:
- Perfume
- Cologne
- After shave
- Lotions
- Wine, beer and liquor
- Gift baskets with food items like salsa, jams and salad dressings
Remember! – do not wrap gifts you're taking on the plane. Security officers may have to unwrap gifts if they need to take a closer look. Either ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until your destination to wrap them.
* Items purchased after the checkpoint have been pre-screened and can be taken on the plane.
