So can I take sand on a plane? And how do you get sand through customs?
Sand and seashells are ideal memories to bring and keep at your home for decoration.
They are symbols of good fortune and provide a sense of cheerfulness to our place.
The TSA permits taking sand in both carry-on and check in luggage without any issue, However, if your container is more than 12 oz / 340 grams, you will need to place it in a separate bin for additional screening, on the other hand, you can take larger amounts of sand in checked baggage without any restrictions.
Taking sand on an international flight may not be as easy as you think, because most countries do not permit taking sand from their beaches and territories, but you can do a quick research prior to your flight and investigate if they allow you to take sand or not.
Let’s delve further into the topic and see what are the regulations when traveling with sand and how to pack sand for your next flight.
Let’s find out.
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Can You Take Sand Through The Security Checkpoint?
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration ) controls what you can and can’t bring on flights within and from the United States.
And they stated that yes you can.
But if you want to travel with more than 12 oz / 340 grams you will be required to remove your jars from your carry-on bag and place them in a separate bin for additional screening.
Here is a screenshot from the TSA website.
The TSA didn’t mention the 12 oz rule on its website so I checked Twitter to find more answers.
RJ asked the TSA if he could bring these 3 glass jars of beach sand in carry-on.
The AskTSA customer service confirmed ” containers larger than 12 ounces, we recommend removing it from your carry-on bag and placing it in a separate bin for X-ray screening.”
As the TSA always states, the final decision rests with the TSA officer at the airport to decide whether an item is allowed or not on board the airplane.
I don’t see any reason why a TSA agent will ban taking a reasonable amount of sand on a plane.
Can You Bring Sand In a Carry-on?
There are no restrictions on traveling with sand inside your carry-on luggage for most airlines.
As I mentioned above if you want to take a large quantity of sand that goes above 12 oz/ 340 grams, your sand will be subject to additional screening at the airport.
Transporting powders and similar items have some bad reputation, so the airport security will need to make sure that the sand and the container is clean and do not contain any prohibited or dangerous materials.
The TSA recommends placing sand or any powders inside your checked luggage to avoid any inconvenience at the airport.
There are no weight limits to the amount of sand you can take in your carry-on, but keep in mind that you don’t make your bag hefty or overloaded with sand , most airlines stated that carry-on must be light enough so you can place it in the overhead bin without any aid.
Can You Take Sand In Check-In Luggage?
If you decide to bring sand inside your check in suitcase you don’t need to worry about the 12 oz rule or even to worry about the security checkpoint at all.
If you are transporting other items along with sand, it is best to place them in your checked bag along with the sand, so they don’t take up more space inside your carry-on bag.
Just make sure that they are packed neatly and secured, so they do not move around inside your suitcase during transit.
In case the TSA searches your bag, they will put a notice inside your suitcase, and they also confirm that your belongings will be placed back to the original state in which they were received.
You can even pack sandbags, but sand is quite heavy, so it’s important to keep your airline’s weight limits in mind when packing. A suitcase that exceeds the weight limit may be subject to additional charges.
important
Pack Sand For Your Flight
Sand is permitted on most airlines and at most airports, but before heading to the airport with your jar check out these tips on how to pack sand for your next flight.
You don’t want to reach your destination and find that your suitcase is flooded with sand.
Use Ziploc bags to transport your sand in your carry-on or check-in luggage.
They will secure your sand and prevent it from spilling, glass jars are prone to be broken but if you put them inside a plastic bag that will keep your suitcase clean and even if the jars are opened.
Most travelers use plastic jars and bottles, especially bottles , you can just place it in the middle of your suitcase and surround it with your clothes and you don’t have to worry about it being opened.
Can You Bring Sand From Another Country?
How do you get sand through customs?
There are no limits to the amount of sand you can take on domestic flights.
Taking sand from other countries on an international flight may not sound as easy as you thought, and it is against most countries’ laws, so make sure to check if the country you are visiting has rules regarding the amount of sand you are allowed to take.
For example, taking sand and pebbles from public beaches in the UK is not allowed, so you cannot bring sand from the UK.
Obviously it’s about the theft of sand and because the world is running out of sand, which is the most universally-used natural resource, most countries want to keep their natural resources protected.
Let’s do some math.
In 2022, there were about 30 million international tourist visits to the UK.
Let’s assume that only 15% of these tourists want to take 10 ounces of sand as a souvenir.
The total amount of sand that the UK will need to give up is around 2.812 million pounds or (45 million ounces.)
The same applies to the US, Canada or any other country.
So it is better to refer to the rules of the country you are visiting if you want to bring some souvenirs.
Summary:
Sand and seashells are great souvenirs to keep in your home.
There are no limits to the amount of sand you can bring on domestic flights, however; internationally there are some restrictions, most countries do not allow taking sand, pebbles or any natural material from their beaches.
So to avoid getting yourself in trouble do a quick research and refer to the country rules before placing that bottle of sand inside your bag.
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