The TSA Says Ice Is A Solid Until It’s Not: What You Can Bring Through the Checkpoint

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I’ve seen several posts on Reddit, X (Twitter) and Facebook from people asking if they can bring frozen items or ice through TSA checkpoints at airports. Of all the questions people have, this one seems to cause the most confusion between passengers and TSA agents. Let’s get down to the question once and for all. Can you bring ice through the checkpoint?

TSA’s Official Stance on Frozen Items

The TSA.gov website has an obvious opinion on this topic.

That seems straightforward – if it’s frozen solid, you’re good. Until you see this disclaimer:

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

I guess that means the TSA has rules unless the officer has a different opinion on what’s allowed. Some people brag about their travel ‘hack’ of bringing a frozen bottle of water through the TSA checkpoint, but I don’t see how that’s any better than bringing an empty bottle and filling it post-security.

TSA Rules On Ice Packs and Frozen Foods

What if we want to bring ice packs with us to keep our BBQ cold when coming home from Lockhart, TX?

Frozen foods are allowed, but the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen. I used to dump all the ice from our cooler before going through the TSA checkpoint. As an experiment, I’ve gone through several times with our bag of ice from the hotel which was slightly damp inside with no problems, as long as I pour the excess melted water out of the ziplock bag before reaching the checkpoint.

I’m glad the TSA understands that frozen water is solid, not liquid, and therefore allowed through the checkpoint. I’m not going to try to explain what would happen if I tried to bring dry ice through the airport.

Dry Ice and Airline Rules

But wait—the TSA has already considered that.

While the FAA allows you to bring dry ice if it’s packaged properly and marked, you still need to get the airline’s approval. But of course:

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary