Jam is allowed on planes in both carry-on and checked baggage, but when transported in carry-on you can only take 3.4 oz / 100 ml containers or less and all need to fit into one-quart sized transparent, resealable bag, there are no limits to the amount of jam you can pack in checked baggage.
Here is all that you need to know about traveling with jam and what are the TSA and airlines guidelines on traveling with jam. In addition to some tips on how to pack your jam so it can remain safe until you get to your destination.
Tip: Check out this Travelpro Platinum Elite 21” Carry-On Spinner, a sleek and versatile carry-on that is designed to fit within the limits of most airlines, to save you from the hassle of the airports and the pesky airline fees.
Can You Take a Jar Of Jam In Hand Luggage?
Can I bring a jar of jelly through TSA?
According to the TSA jam, jelly, honey or any similar products are considered liquid food, so you can only bring jars and containers of 3.4 oz / 100 ml or less packed inside a quart sized bag when going through the security checkpoint.
Here is what the TSA has to say about jam on its website.
If you wonder why the TSA permits only 3.4 oz / 100 ml of jam for a single container, then you will need to make yourself familiar with the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule.
It limits the amount of liquids that you can transport in carry-on baggage to a maximum capacity of 3.4 ounces / 100 ml and placed in a quart sized bag.
You are allowed to take only one bag of liquids in carry-on baggage.
Remember you can take as many 3.4 oz containers as your quart size bag fits.
But they should fit in neatly and you may not have enough space for other liquids.
Emily asked the TSA about homemade jam in carry-on
The TSA customer service replied that ” Homemade jam when packed in a carry-on bag, must be 3.4 ounces or less, the container must fit comfortably in a single, quart-sized resealable bag containing your other travel-sized liquid items. Larger containers must be in checked bags.”
What Are the Exceptions?
If you have a medical condition that requires you to bring more jam on a plane, inform the TSA officer before going through security.
The officer might ask for a valid reason why you need to take more jam, like a doctor’s note or a prescription.
When traveling with a baby, parents can bring enough baby food for the entire flight. This is exempt from the 3-1-1 liquid rule.
Can You Take Jam In Your Checked Baggage?
Feel free to bring as much as you want of jam, jelly or honey inside your checked baggage.
The TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule does not apply to checked luggage, meaning you can bring a jar of 8 oz or larger inside your check baggage without any issues.
The only thing you should keep in mind is that if you put jam in checked baggage, it can cause a huge mess inside your suitcase if you don’t do some proper packaging.
Can You Bring Jam And Jelly On International Flights?
Taking jam or jelly on international flights may have different rules, because some countries can restrict certain products from entering their territories.
But if you want to take a small quantity of jam to enjoy and spread on your toast during your flight, there is no problem, because most airlines and airport security will not restrict taking small quantities of food on the airplane ( as long as they are less than 3.4 oz ).
However, it is always wise to confirm with your airline and have a look at the rules for the country of your destination.
If you don’t conduct a quick research prior to your flight, and you want to take the risk anyways, don’t get surprised if the customs confiscate your jam.
How To Pack Jam Properly For Your Flight?
You will need to ensure that your jam is properly protected, because it may mess up all your belongings.
The problem is not in the cabin or in the cargo hold where your luggage is kept, but at the handling process at the airport.
Here is a rule of thumb.
Whenever you pack a liquid in your carry-on or check bag, especially in a fragile container like glass, place it first in a plastic bag and add some padding around it, to make sure they won’t leak inside your bag.
You can also put your jar in a plastic box in the middle of your suitcase and surround it with some clothes like smocks or a towel, so your jam or jelly won’t move around or spill out and get on your other items, especially if the container got broken or just opened when treated like a punching bag.
Final Thoughts On Bringing Jam On a Plane.
It doesn’t matter if you want to bring homemade or store-bought jam, the only thing that matter is that they need to be in small size that can fit inside a quart sized bag.
If not, you can always get small empty jars and fill them with jam then place them in the quart sized bag with other liquids.
If you don’t like this idea then you can take any amount of jam or jelly in checked luggage, just make sure that you protect your jar properly before doing so.
I hope this helps
Happy travels
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