You are a fan of the crunchy, pungent onion and you want to make a delicious onion soup or onion rings when you reach your destination. Or maybe you just love onions.
Whatever your motive, you can bring fresh onion through the security checkpoint (carry-on) in any amount, but if the onion is in liquid form like, pickled or creamed onion each container must be smaller than 3.4 ounces / 100 ml, or place it in your checked bag.
In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about bringing onions on a plane, from the TSA rules to the best ways to pack and store your onion.
Let’s dive right in.
The TSA Rules For Onion In Luggage — Carry-on And Checked Baggage.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the clerks that oversees the security of air travel in the United States.
They have a list of items that are prohibited or restricted on planes, which you can find on their website.
They don’t specifically mention onions on their website, but they have a general rule about vegetables and food.
The TSA rules for onion depend on whether it is fresh, cooked, dried, or powdered.
So I will break it down for you.
Can You Take Fresh Onion On a Plane?
Fresh onion is classified as a solid food item by the TSA, which means that you can bring it in your carry-on bag or checked bag.
However, there are some limitations and exceptions that you need to keep in mind.
Within the United States, you can bring as much fresh onion as you want, as long as it fits inside your bag and does not exceed the weight limit of your airline.
When flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland U.S., you cannot bring any fresh onion with you.
These are considered agricultural products that are subject to inspection and quarantine by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
You can only bring processed or canned onions from these locations.
If you’re traveling from Alaska to the mainland U.S., you can bring up to 5 pounds of fresh onion per person, as long as it is commercially packaged and labeled. You cannot bring any homegrown or wild onion from Alaska.
Can You Take Cooked Onion On a Plane?
The yummy deep-fried onions is a solid food as long as it is free from any liquids, so you can bring it in your carry-on bag without any worries.
But If your cooked onion is part of a dish that contains liquid or gel-like substances, such as soup, sauce, gravy, dressing, or pickled onion, then it falls under the 3-1-1 rule for liquids.
You can only bring containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less in your carry-on bag, and they must fit in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag.
You can always place larger containers of liquid food or gel-like dishes in your checked bag, even though it is not recommended unless it is canned as they can mess your suitcase if not packed properly.
Can You Take Dried Onion On a Plane?
Dried onion is considered a spice in the TSA eyes, which means that you can bring it in your carry-on bag or checked bag.
If your dried onion is in a powder or granular form, such as onion powder, onion flakes, or onion salt, then it falls under the TSA powder rule.
You will need to remove containers or bags greater than 12 oz / 340 grams from your bag and place them in a separate bin for X-ray screening.
While there is no limit to the amount of Dried onion you can pack your checked bag.
Can You Take Onion On International Flights?
When you travel internationally, you may find it challenging to bring fresh, cooked, or dried onions into your destination country.
Some countries enforce strict regulations on these items to avoid importing pests and diseases to there territories.
So it is important to review the customs regulations of the country you are planning to visit.
You can find information on the official website of the destination country’s border and customs, or just contact your airline to provide you with more details.
Final Thoughts
Solid, dried and powdered onion should not be a problem when traveling with them on a plane.
But onion with liquids like pickled or creamed onions, need to adhere the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule.
You can only bring bottles of 3.4 ounces / 100 ml or less in carry-on baggage.
If you are planning to bring onions internationally you need to conduct a small research about the country of your destination and if they allow onions in their territories.
Some countries may not let these type of veggies to enter their countries because they are afraid of pests.
I hope this article has answered all your questions about bringing onions on a plane. If you have any comments or feedback, please feel free to leave them below. I’d love to hear from you.
Happy travels.
