Can I Fly With This?
Can I bring meat on a plane?
Quick rules for flying with meat in carry-on and checked baggage. Verdicts and conditions across the major aviation regions below.
🇺🇸 United States (TSA)
Solid meat (cooked, cured, dried) allowed in both. International: many countries (EU, UK, Australia, NZ) restrict or ban meat imports — check destination.
🇪🇺 European Union (EASA)
Personal imports of meat from non-EU countries are banned. Within the EU, allowed in both bags.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (CAA)
Personal imports of meat (raw, cooked, cured, dried, jerky, salami, vacuum-packed) from outside the UK are BANNED — UK Border Force confiscates and can issue infringement notices. Exceptions for EU-origin meat and very limited personal allowances from approved suppliers. Within the UK, meat is allowed in both bags.
🌎 Latin America
Allowed onto the plane, but biosecurity at arrival is strict — especially Chile (SAG), Argentina (SENASA), Brazil (MAPA), and Peru (SENASA). Chile fines failure to declare any food item — undeclared apples, sandwiches, or jerky have triggered USD $200–500+ fines. Always declare on arrival cards.
🌏 Asia (ICAO / IATA baseline)
Permitted on the plane but customs limits at arrival vary widely. Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China: BAN almost all uncooked / raw / chilled meat imports (including jerky and salami from many countries) — confiscated and fined. Singapore: only AVA-approved sources, small personal quantities. Indonesia, Malaysia: pork products restricted/banned. Halal-certified processed meat in commercial packaging is the safest option across the region. Always declare.
🇦🇺 Australia & Pacific (CASA)
Australia + NZ have the world's strictest biosecurity. All meat (raw, cooked, cured, dried, jerky, vacuum-sealed, in sandwiches) must be declared on arrival; most is confiscated. Failure to declare carries an immediate AU$2,664 infringement notice and risk of criminal prosecution + visa cancellation. Treat all meat as undeclarable — eat it before landing or leave it behind.