With the world opening up for travel, a lot of people are excited to get on a plane and see the world.
As a person with an active fitness lifestyle, you may want to bring certain foods and drinks with you to keep up with your diet. This left you wondering if you can take protein powder with you on a plane.
You can bring protein powder on a plane with you, but there are TSA rules that you need to follow if you are planning on bringing protein powder with you.
We checked TSA rules to give you all the information you need, and they are all detailed in this post to help you decide the best method to pack your protein powder.
So how much protein powder can you bring on a plane?
TSA rules: How much protein powder you can bring
TSA rules on protein powder are very straightforward.
You can bring protein powder in both your carry-on and checked bags [1].
But, if your protein powder is more than 12oz / 350mL, it has to be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. TSA may open the container and be tested for additional screening.
According to the TSA website, the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint is still up to the TSA office. They might need to check and test it for dangerous substances if not properly labeled. It might take a couple of minutes for the TSA to check, especially if they will need to do chemical testing on the protein powder.
If you plan to bring protein powder that is more than 12oz / 350mL, it is best to go to the airport earlier to accommodate for the additional screening that may take place.
Bringing protein powder in carry-on luggage
As per the TSA rules, protein powder can be carried in your carry-on bags.
There is no limit on the amount of protein powder that you can bring in your bags. You can bring as much protein powder with you. But, the TSA rules apply.
If you plan on bringing protein powder in your carry-on bag and it is more than 12 oz. / 350mL, you have to take it out of your bag and place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening. Just like how the TSA asks everyone to bring out their laptops and place them in separate bins.
Before you line up for screening, take out the protein powder so the TSA won’t have to open your bag and go through your belongings to find it.
You can put the protein powder in the packaging you choose. You can also bring multiple containers but if they contain protein powder of more than 12oz / 350mL, you have to take them all out and place them in a separate bin.
Bringing protein powder in checked luggage
You can also bring protein powder in your checked bags.
If you have checked bags, putting protein powder of more than 12 oz / 350mL there might be a better option to avoid the hassle of extra screening.
Just make sure to pack it properly and make sure the packaging does not puncture easily to avoid any spills.
Bringing protein powder on domestic vs international flights
There is generally no problem in bringing protein powder on a plane, whether you have a carry-on bag or checked luggage.
But better to check the rules of the country you are traveling to. You also have to be ready to run into issues if you are bringing hemp protein powder to other countries as there are countries where hemp is illegal.
How to pack protein powder for air travel
Packing protein powder can be easy if you know how much you will bring.
You can pack your protein powder in different containers when you are planning on bringing it with you when you travel. You can also leave it in its original containers if you don’t want the trouble of repacking them.
Protein powders come in a variety of colors. If your protein powder is completely white, you might want to label your container or tape the original packaging to your repacked protein powder.
You want to get a container that is secure and one that is not easily cracked to avoid spills inside your bags.
Original packaging
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of repacking your protein powder, you can definitely bring it in its original packaging.
The TSA would most likely not question you if the protein powder comes with its original packaging. It would be clear to the TSA what you are bringing especially if the packaging is not opened yet.
Protein powders come in different packaging. Some are in containers with screw-on lids and some are in pouches.
Protein powders in containers with screw-on lids might be too bulky especially if you only have a small carry-on bag. If you have a checked bag, it might be best to put the original protein powder container in it.
With pouches, you can easily put them in your carry-on. There are single-packet protein powders that you can buy if you don’t want to bring a bulky container. It will also be less hassle in security because a packet is less than 12 oz / 350mL.
Ziploc bags
Ziploc bags come in different sizes where you can store your protein powder to bring on a plane.
You can repack your protein powder in different Ziploc bags if you are bringing a large amount. But, some opt to just put all of their protein powder in one big Ziploc bag.
Smaller Ziploc bags are perfect if you just have to travel for a few days.
You just have to be careful when putting the repacked protein powder in your bag, carry-on, or checked luggage otherwise. Some items in your bag might poke through the Ziploc causing your protein powder to spill. Some TSA officers might also poke the Ziplocs when being checked, so you want to have extra Ziplocs just in case.
Shaker bottle
As per the TSA rule, drink containers should be empty when passing through security and then you can just refill them afterward.
You can bring an empty bottle, so are shaker bottles considered alternate packaging for protein powders?
Yes, shaker bottles can be considered containers for protein powders. Just make sure it is still in powder form. If you plan to mix your protein powder with liquids before security, drink it before going through screening so you don’t waste your protein.
Shaker bottles can also cause your protein powder to spill if it is not closed properly. If you don’t want any spills, place your shaker bottle filled with protein powder in a Ziploc to catch any powder that spills.
Different forms of protein powders
You can bring protein shakes and protein gels on a plane. But, they are subject to TSA’s liquids rule.
The TSA has a 3-1-1 liquids rule where a passenger is only allowed liquids amounting to 3.4 ounces (100mL) or less. And all the liquids should fit in a quart-sized bag [2].
You can also bring protein bars in your carry-on or checked luggage. If it’s already opened or out of its original packaging, make sure to properly wrap them and put it in a secured container.
Conclusion
Whether you are traveling for a short or long period of time, you don’t have to worry about skipping your protein intake routine. You are allowed to bring protein powder with you on a plane as long as you follow the TSA rules.
Make sure to also check the rules of the country you are planning on going to, especially if you plan on bringing hemp protein powder. Hemp in some countries is illegal.
Make sure to know all the rules to make your airport experience hassle-free!
