Traveling/flying with medication is relatively easy, but requires a little planning ahead of time. We’ve gone over some aspects of traveling with meds in the past:
- The medication you should bring with you when flying
- What to do if you forget your medications when traveling
- 10+ common medications that are banned in other countries
- 5 ways your medicine can get you flagged at the airport
- How to prepare for airport security when flying with medications
But that’s all medications. The TSA is well aware that almost all of us take at least one type of medication, either prescription or OTC, on a regular basis. So they have rules and guidelines at the ready for flying with them.
But what about nutritional supplements? They’ve been in use since the mid-20th century. And between people becoming more health-conscious and a population that’s rapidly aging, not only have they become an important part of many peoples’ daily regiments in recent years, but the market continues to grow by about 9% each year. In fact, according to one marketing research report, the dietary supplement market size is projected to reach a record value of $307.8 billion by 2026.
What’s considered to be the most popular nutritional supplement appears to vary from study to study. But they generally include collagen, magnesium, Vitamin D, probiotics, fish oil and calcium. So typically pills, capsules, gelcaps, gummies and sometimes liquids. People who are trying to build up muscle or lose weight also frequently include protein powder in their daily regimen. Other supplements, such as creatine, may be in the form of powders, as well.
According to TSA passengers are allowed to bring supplements in both their checked and carry-on/personal bags. But it’s with the caveat that “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”
That’s why you want to pack your supplements carefully, so TSA will hopefully leave you alone, or if not, at least let you go through with your stuff. Let’s go through each one.
Powders
Supplements that come in the form of powders (such as protein or energy powders) are something you have to prepare for the most. Since 2018, the TSA has had a rule about carrying powders in carry-on or personal luggage. If you want to bring the whole container, as long as you stay inside their parameters (or put it in your checked bag), you should be fine. But, as the TSA says above, the final decision rests with the TSA officer (see below, dad jokes and all).
Liquid Supplements
Liquid supplements as usually seen in the form of multivitamins. However supplements such as CoQ10, activated charcoal, chlorophyll, collagen and others can also come in liquid form. As long as the bottles are within the regulations for 3-1-1 (as many 3.4 ounce [100ml] bottles that will fit in one 1-quart sized bag), you’re fine if you put them in your 1-quart bag. If any bottle(s) are larger than 3.4 ounces, or if you run out of room in your one-quart bag, put them in your checked luggage.
Pills, Capsules, Gelcaps & Gummy Supplements
Supplements in the form of pills, capsules, gelcaps or gummies shouldn’t be any problem. None of them are considered liquids, so you should be able to bring them through the TSA security checkpoint in your carry-on or personal bag without any difficulty.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
Since February I have had to get my salt and pepper grinders xxtra checked. That means they grind the salt and sometimes the pepper onto 5 yellow pieces of paper then they put via eyedropper different kinds of dyes to see if they turn ??blue or purple for drugs?? It is getting to be time-consuming each time I fly so guess I have to give them up as we do not usually check a bag..