Whether you want to bring candy with you on your next flight or are thinking of bringing some back with you from your vacation, you’re probably wondering if you’ll be okay.
After all, there is so much delicious candy around the world, and who doesn’t love a snack on a long flight.
The good news is that you can bring candy on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
But there are a few things to be aware of depending on if the candy is solid, a liquid, or gel; international flight rules, and if you can also eat candy on a plane.
You can pack all types of candy, including solid, gel, liquid, and powdered candy, in your checked bags.
There is technically no limit to how much candy you can bring with you, with the only limitation being meeting airlines’ weight and size baggage restrictions.
Bringing Candy in Your Carry on Bag
You can bring candy on a plane in your carry on bags, but the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule applies.
This rule states that you are only allowed to bring liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry on bags if they do not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
One thing to note is that TSA officers may require you to separate foods and powders when going through airport security.
So while you’ll be fine to pack most candy in your carry on bags, there are a few notable exceptions, which we will cover below.
What the Airlines Say
It doesn’t matter if you’re flying with Southwest, United, Delta, American Airlines, or any other major or regional international or domestic carrier.
You will be able to bring candy on a plane in both your checked and carry on bags, but again, liquid and gel candy must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
It Makes No Difference if You’re Flying Internationally
Regardless if you’re flying domestically within the USA or internationally, you will have no problem bringing candy on a plane.
Again, you will not be permitted to bring liquid or gel candy that exceeds 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on bags, as this rules applies worldwide.
No Difference Between Opened or Unopened Candy Either
You can bring both opened and unopened candy in both your carry on and checked bags.
So you can open a bag of candy before you get to the airport, place it in your carry on and then go through airport security without running into any issues.
Gummy Candy is Also Fine
Gummy candy may be made from gelatin, so you might think that the 3-1-1 Rule applies, but you can bring gummy candy like gummy bears on a plane in both your checked and carry on bags without any restrictions.
Other Types of Candy
Hard Candy: You can bring hard candy in both your carry on and checked bags.
Cotton Candy: You can bring cotton candy in both your carry on and checked bags.
Liquid Candy: Liquid candy, like squeeze pops, are permitted in your checked bags in any quantity, but only permitted in your carry on bags if the container does not exceed 3.4 oz/100ml.
Gel Candy: As mentioned, gummy bears can be packed in both your checked and carry on bags without any restrictions. Some candies are available in gel or paste form in tubes or bottles, but these are not allowed in your carry on bags if the container exceeds 3.4oz/100ml.
No Limit on How Much Candy You Can Bring
There is technically no limit to how much candy you can bring on a plane in your checked bags, as long as you do not exceed the airline’s weight and size restrictions for baggage.
If the candy is in liquid or gel form, the container must be no larger than 3.4oz/100ml if you want to pack it in your checked bags.
Bring the Chocolate Too
If you want to bring chocolate on a plane in either your checked or carry on bags, you will have no problem doing so.
However, keep in mind that chocolate spreads like Nutella are considered a liquid, so they must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if you want to pack it into your checked bags.
The same applies to other food items like jams, jellies, honey and syrup.
Cream/gel/liquid filled chocolate are fine to bring in both your checked and carry on bags.
And Even Pies and Cakes
The TSA state that you can bring pies and cakes on a plane in both your checked and carry on bags.
No pies or cakes are considered a liquid, so the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule does not apply.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
