Can health supplements be carried on an aircraft?

Taking vitamins on the plane The TSA allows you to take vitamins in pill, liquid and powder form as long as you meet the general liquid rules, so you can take your vitamins on the plane. You may carry as many vitamins, liquids, powders and other products as you wish in your checked baggage. There is a limit of 17 fluid ounces per container for medical and toiletries, with a maximum of 68 total fluid ounces for these products. These rules do not apply when it comes to vitamins and supplements.

So go ahead and pack that 5-pound can of protein powder. You can take vitamins on the plane in your carry-on bag. Vitamins are also allowed in checked baggage. However, bottles of liquid vitamins must go in your quart-sized bag along with other toiletries.

They must be less than 100 ml. Airline and airport rules are uncharted territory when it comes to travelling with health supplements. Bringing vitamins on a plane is pretty straightforward, you don’t have to do anything, but if a TSA agent asks you to take a look at your vitamins, you should comply. The only thing you should be aware of is the legality of your vitamin supplement at your destination.

However, if you do not have the original packaging of the supplement, you may have some explaining to do to the TSA. Yes, there is no denying the fact that it has become more difficult to fully navigate the myriad of rules and regulations surrounding the types of supplements you can travel with. Just show your liquid vitamins and your prescription to the TSA agent and you will be allowed to bring them on board. If you have a doctor’s prescription for liquid supplements, you can bring the bottle larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml.

The TSA guidelines clearly state that they allow vitamins and supplements in both carry-on and checked baggage. I would recommend carrying a photo or some proof that the supplement is legal and allowed on board. Although the TSA allows unmarked medications, vitamins and supplements, this is not always the case. Although you can carry your supplements on the plane, you need to familiarise yourself with the local laws of the place you are travelling to.

However, this part is a bit tricky as most powdered supplements come in huge containers that will cause inconvenience during your travels. The reason for this is that sometimes unmarked supplements and vitamins will be restricted by the TSA. The TSA will not prevent you from carrying an excessive amount of supplements with you whether it is in solid, powdered or gummy form. Regardless of any form of screening, if the TSA agent finds anything unusual, he or she will ensure that the supplements are subjected to additional screening, which may include screening for traces of explosives.

While it is basically impossible to familiarise yourself with the local laws at your destination, the TSA will in most cases allow travellers to carry all forms of medication, including powdered supplements.

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