I love to travel. Exploring new cities and experiences is always so fulfilling. While I love crossing geographical boundaries, there is also something comforting about having a piece of home with me as well. Sometimes that’s my journal and planner, sometimes it’s my slippers, and sometimes it’s my tea. However, tea is “food” and comes with some travel restrictions. Let’s clear up any confusion so that you can take this meaningful piece of your life with you when you fly.
Tea is an agricultural product and it can be legally taken on a plane if you are departing from the United States. It must, however, be taken in a carry-on bag at a limit of 12 ounces. Tea is generally not allowed in checked luggage. Rules vary from one country to another so it’s important to check with your local laws.
In addition to knowing the basic rules for taking tea on a plane, there are some nuances and even some important legal restrictions (and associated consequences) that you will want to know.
Let’s cover this entire topic in more detail, including the rules on tea bags and loose tea as well as which types of tea you cannot take on a plane.
Can You Take Tea Bags on an Airplane?
Dry tea bags and loose teas are listed as items that can be taken on carry-on bags for certain, and in some cases, in checked bags.
While some TSA officers may allow tea bags to be stored in your checked bags, others may ask you to remove them because they can prevent the X ray machine from thoroughly inspecting the bags. The powder in tea bags can block the X ray images and make it unclear about what is in the bag. Ultimately, it’s best to keep tea bags out of your checked bags.
“Tea is an agricultural product and it can be legally taken on a plane if you are departing from the United States.”
TEA CROSSING
Can You Take Loose Tea on an Airplane?
The same rules apply to loose tea and tea bags. The TSA lists both as dry foods that can be taken on a commercial flight. Loose leaf tea is usually allowed in both carry-on and checked bags, but these rules are subject to change. It’s wise to keep loose leaf tea in its original container if you pack it in your checked bag.
While you can pack the tea tin in your carry-on bag, you might want to consider packing your loose tea into bags for the trip, so you can brew your own tea with a cup of hot water. If you’re saving it for arrival at your destination, you can also pack the bags in a container that has a secure closure, including zip lock baggies. The benefit of having the original box of loose tea, however, is that it cuts down on the need for explanations about what you’re carrying in your bag.
How Much Loose and Bagged Tea Can You Take on an Airplane?
You can bring up to 12 ounces of either loose, bagged, or tea powder with you on the plane if it is a flight that originates in the United States, with a domestic destination. Any amounts of dry tea over 12 ounces will need to be placed in the checked baggage, and there is no limit established for the amount or weight that you can have, unless it exceeds the weight limits for the checked bag in general.
You may get by with a few boxes of loose leaf or bagged tea in your checked baggage, but due to the fact that the TSA considers tea to be a powder-like substance, for their screening purposes, anything that is over 12 ounces could be disallowed. This means that they could potentially tell you that you can’t take it on the plane with you. While you might get by with it occasionally, you’re taking a risk of losing the tea or passing on the flight.
Can You Take Liquid Tea on an Airplane? If so, How Much?
Technically, you could take liquid tea on an airplane, but the restrictions are so tight that it probably wouldn’t be worth the effort. There is a strict limit on transporting liquids or gels in your bags. You’re only allowed to have just 3.4 ounces of liquid in any of your bags. It must be in a sealed container, so it’s not practical to attempt to take liquid tea on an airplane with you, according to TSA rules.
The amount of tea that you can take on an airplane depends upon the form that it is in. If it’s in liquid form, which I don’t recommend trying, you’re only allowed to have up to 3.4 ounces, as I’ve mentioned. This is a hard and fast rule.
What is the Best Way to Pack Tea?
There are a few ways to pack tea to take on a flight with you. The best practices are similar regarless of whether you are taking tea bags or loose tea, but let’s cover each of them specifically.
Tea Bags
If your tea comes in a bulky container, you may want to consider removing the number of bags you plan on using and placing them in a resealable bag.
The TSA is insistent upon every passenger having powder-like substances such as tea, packaged in see-through resealable container. This makes the inspection process much faster and easier.
If the bags are pre-packaged in a smaller size, it’s still recommended to put them in a resealable baggie.
Loose Tea
I recommend keeping your loose tea in its original packaging, if possible, and packing it in your carry-on bag. You’ll need to keep the amount to the 12 ounce limit.
“There are restrictions on certain teas, such as controlled substances, endangered species, and some fruits.”
TEA CROSSING
Do You Need to Declare Tea at Customs?
Yes, you do need to declare tea at US Customs. Since tea is technically an agricultural product, there are strict US Customs rules about bringing plant-based products into the United States from another country. Most green, black, and herbal teas are perfectly fine and are allowed, but it’s something that must be declared.
Your tea will be examined by US agricultural inspectors to check for anything that could be detrimental to the agricultural industry in the country, such as diseases or pests. To prepare for US customs, you will want to save your receipts along with the original packaging that comes with any international tea purchases.
How to Declare Tea at US Customs
The process for declaring international tea at US Customs is relatively straightforward. It is best to be prepared for the experience if you choose to purchase tea abroad.
Every passenger transporting agricultural items into the United States, or from the United States to a different country are required to declare the tea at customs:
- Complete a Customs Declaration Form
- On this form, you will provide your basic personal information, what you plan to bring into the US, and if you visited a farm on your travels. This is a protective measure to ensure that travelers do not bring diseases back into the country through an innocent visit to a farm, or through the products grown in another country.
Which Teas are NOT Allowed on Airplanes?
There are some restrictions on certain teas. The restrictions revolve around controlled substances, endangered species, and some fruits.
Specific teas that are not allowed on airplanes include:
| Restricted Tea | Reason for Restriction |
|---|---|
| Arabian Tea, also known as Coca leaves and Khat | These are considered to be controlled substances and they are illegal to transport into the United States per federal law. |
| Teas made from the bark of endangered plants | Certain teas made of barks from endangered species of plants are restricted and are not allowed. |
| Tea with barberry leaves, apricot, cherry, peach, or plum flowers | If the tea contains any of these ingredients that were sourced in a different country, they are on the prohibited items list and will not be allowed. |
How to Enjoy Fresh-Brewed Tea on an Airplane
Bear in mind, that when you’re flying, most airlines maintain a supply of a variety of teas, so there will be some options available for you.
However, not all of the available tea may be to your liking. The best solution is to carry your own tea bags with you, or bring loose leaf tea along with a tea ball or other small infuser. You may be asked to disassemble it for TSA, but it might be worth the effort, especially for long flights. You can ask for a cup of hot water if the airline pre-brews their tea before serving it. Some bring the water and tea separately. You can use your own tea bags or loose tea to create an excellent cup right there on the flight.