Can You Bring Coffee Beans on a Plane?

CoffeeSphere

4 years ago

One of the most stressful parts about traveling is the airport. No matter what your purpose of travel is, it can still be super stressful – potential delays, missing a flight, forgetting something and then there’s airport security.

If you’ve landed here, you’re likely wondering: can you bring coffee beans on a plane?

The short answer is yes, you can bring coffee beans on a plane.

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Planning ahead will help prevent a little of the airport stress, so here’s how you can plan ahead when it comes to bringing coffee beans on your next trip:

Can you bring coffee beans on a plane?

According to TSA, you can bring both coffee beans and coffee grounds in your carry on bags and checked bags.

When it comes to coffee grounds, keep in mind TSA’s powder policy. This was implemented on June 30, 2018 for additional screening of powder-like substances over 12 ounces or 350 mL that you may be taking in your carry on bags. For powder substances, you are encouraged to check those in.

Also note that a TSA officer may ask you to separate food related items (coffee beans and coffee grounds) from the rest of your items in your carry on bag. So when you’re packing, make sure it’s easily accessible to take out of your bag just in case.

Please keep in mind that while going through airport security, the final decision is up to the TSA officer. For questions about something specific that you want to bring, TSA appears to be responsive in answering questions on their Twitter feed and via Facebook Messenger.

Don’t forget about airport customs

Now that we know you can in fact take your coffee beans on a plane, be sure to check information regarding what you can and can’t bring into the country that you’re going to.

Just because you can take the coffee beans into the plane does not mean the country you’re traveling to will allow you to take it through their borders.

If you’re traveling to or coming back home to the US, you must declare any agricultural products on the US Customs forms. For coffee beans, according to the USDA:

Roasted coffee beans are allowed. There is no limit but they must be declared.
Green (unroasted) coffee beans are allowed in unlimited quantities into all ports of entry. These must be declared. However, green coffee beans are prohibited from entering and also transiting through Hawaii or Puerto Rico.
Whole coffee berries (coffee cherries) are prohibited into all US ports of entry.

In summary for the US, any type of coffee bean you bring in must be declared. You can bring in roasted beans but not coffee berries. Unroasted coffee beans are allowed into all US ports of entry except for Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

So please check the regulations regarding taking coffee beans into the country you’re going to and your home country when you return.

Can you take a coffee maker on a plane?

You’ve got your coffee beans packed for your trip, what about the coffee maker?

You are allowed to bring a coffee or espresso maker on a plane both in your carry on and checked bags, according to TSA.

TSA also notes to carefully pack electronic items and make sure cords are wrapped (if you’re using a coffee maker that requires electricity.) Also, check that there isn’t any water left in the reservoirs before you pack it.

Though you are allowed to take your coffee maker in your carry on, it may take up a ton of space in your bag. So here are some travel friendly coffee maker options:

Collapsible pour over coffee maker

The Wolecok collapsible pour over coffee maker was made for the light packer. It’s made with 100% food grade silicone, is easy to clean, comes in several colors and has an alloy hook so you can clip it somewhere without losing it. Don’t forget to pack a few coffee filters.

Travel French press

If you prefer making coffee in a French press, you still can while traveling with a Kohipress. With this French press, you can brew up to 12 ounces of coffee with the pressurized plunger while keeping the coffee hot in the insulated mug. It’s sleek and weighs just 13 ounces. Check out more of our favorite French press coffee travel mugs.

Single serve drip coffee maker

If you must travel with an electric drip coffee maker, pack a single serve one from AdirChef. It’s a compact and inexpensive coffee maker that comes with a to go mug and is equipped with a permanent filter (no need to pack paper filters.) It comes in several colors and you can also purchase a travel case also made by AdirChef, a perfect fit for the single serve coffee maker.

Portable espresso maker

The Wacaco Minipresso is a portable espresso machine that’s compatible with original Nespresso capsules (but not Nespresso Vertuo capsules) so you can enjoy an espresso on the go. The Minipresso weighs less than a pound, is under 7 inches tall, has an average 8 bar pressure and a 2.35 fluid ounce water capacity.

Aeropress

If you already use an Aeropress regularly, you know it’s so lightweight and easy to pack. If you haven’t used an Aeropress yet, it might be time to try it as it’s a great brewing option for home and travel.

Can you take a coffee grinder on a plane?

And what about a coffee grinder for those coffee beans?

Coffee grinders without blades, like a burr grinder, are allowed on a plane.

For other coffee grinders with blades that you pack in your checked bag, carefully wrap it to prevent any damage and for the safety of baggage handlers and inspectors. For the burr grinder in your carry on, be prepared to take it out of your bag for further inspection if asked.

If you don’t want to pack another item in your bag, check out these other methods for grinding coffee beans without a coffee grinder. Depending on your style of travel (like if you’re staying in a furnished apartment versus a hotel), you may have these items available to you at your destination to grind coffee beans without a grinder.

Can you take liquid coffee on a plane?

You will need to follow the 3-1-1 rule for taking liquid coffee on a plane. This rule allows you to take liquids that are up to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in one quart size bag in your carry on bag. (You can take coffee in containers that are larger than 3.4 ounces in a checked bag.)

Since airport coffee isn’t always reliable, this rule means that if you want to prepare a shot or two of espresso to drink at the airport, you can. Just make sure you store it in a secure container.

If you are also taking other toiletries like toothpaste or mouthwash, and are only allowed one quart size bag, you’ll need to put them in the same bag and you really don’t want your coffee to spill on your toiletries.

How to pack coffee beans for travel

Use an airtight container

Get your coffee beans travel ready by packing them in an airtight container. Using an airtight container will help keep your beans fresh and prevent any coffee beans from spilling out onto all your clothes and items in your carry on bag.

And as much as we may love the smell of roasted coffee beans, you might not want all your items to smell like coffee when you arrive at your destination.

For a quality container, check out the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar, which is available in 11.8, 16.9, and 25 ounce sizes and in various colors. You can also use it to keep foods hot or cold with its vacuum insulation.

You can also store ground coffee in the airtight container, just remember if it’s over 12 ounces of ground coffee, you need to check it in as per the TSA powders policy.

Keep beans separate and easily accessible

Let’s say you just got off a red eye flight and need to catch a connecting flight which requires you to go through airport security again. You don’t want any delays or added stress after a whole night of flying. Pack your coffee beans or equipment where it’ll be easy to access and won’t take time to dig out of your bag in case you need to take it out for extra screening.

Pack a travel mug

Don’t forget to pack a travel mug so you can enjoy those coffee beans you carefully packed as you’re out and about at your destination.

In Summary…

Can you bring coffee on a plane?

Yes, you can bring coffee beans on a plane. But be sure to check the rules regarding taking the beans into the country you’re going to and returning home to. As for equipment, you are allowed to bring coffee makers and coffee grinders.

Also, note that anything you try to take through security will be up to the TSA officer. You can ask TSA via Twitter or Facebook Messenger with a picture of the item you are trying to bring and they are pretty responsive to help answer specific questions about what can and can’t take with you on a plane.