Traveling with chocolate treats can be much trickier than when you bring candy. However, since chocolate is one of the most popular, chocolate is also one food that melts quickly over certain temperatures. Chocolate’s low melting point means it doesn’t take much heat, such as chocolate in hand, where chocolate bars, truffles, or others turn from a solid delight into a messy chocolate sauce.
Luckily, with some preparation and packing tips, any chocolate lover can learn how to bring chocolate on a plane without any melting mishaps. Besides this, TSA rules dictate how to properly pack chocolate, like candy bars, chocolate chips, truffles, or even liquid chocolate sauce.
In our guide, you’ll discover more about wrapping and sealing your chocolate and where to store it in your luggage. By the end, you’ll better understand how much chocolate you can bring and where you need to carry it, be it chocolates in hand luggage or in your checked luggage. (Read Can You Bring A Screwdriver On A Plane)
Should You Put Chocolate in Checked or Carry-On Luggage?
When traveling with chocolate without melting, the first decision is whether you should pack it in your checked luggage or carry it on the plane with you. There are pros and cons to each option:
Checked Luggage
- More room: You can pack larger amounts or types of chocolate, like chocolate bars or boxes, in checked baggage.
- Less accessible: You won’t have access to the chocolate during your flight.
- Higher melting risk: Checked luggage is exposed to more extreme temperatures, which can cause chocolate to melt.
Carry-On
- Less room – Limited to small quantities that meet TSA liquid rules (3.4 oz).
- More accessible – You can access and eat your chocolate to enjoy the tasteful history of chocolate during the flight!
- Lower melting risk – Kept climate controlled in the cabin.
For less mess and melting, carrying on chocolate in small quantities is the best bet. But for transporting large amounts or confections like chocolate bars, checked luggage works too, with some precautions.
TSA Rules for Flying with Chocolate
Chocolates don’t fall under TSA regulations, yet you need to remember TSA liquid rules when taking chocolate in your carry-on bag. All liquid, gel, paste, and spreadable foods must be:
- 3.4 ounces or less per container.
- Placed in a 1-quart-sized plastic bag.
- Removed from your carry-on at security.
Solid chocolate bars, candy, or chocolate chips follow regular food rules and can be transported without any restrictions without having to worry. However, any amount of liquid in your hand luggage, like chocolate sauce, melted chocolate, or chocolate syrup, counts as a liquid.
Know what food items you are allowed to bring in checked luggage with no limits. However, messes can happen in flight, and sealing them well is essential depending on what you want to bring in hand luggage and checked luggage. (Read Can You Bring K Cups On A Plane)
How To Carry Chocolates In Flight Without Melting
Chocolate is prone to melting during flight for a few reasons:
- Low melting point – Chocolate will melt over a certain temperature. The melting point is typically around 90°F, which airplane cabins often exceed.
- Temperature fluctuations – Luggage areas often see greater shifts in temperature compared to climate-controlled cabins.
- Long travel times – If you bring on a plane, and these are long flights, chocolate has longer to melt. As an example, from the USA, you may find your chocolate delivery in Melbourne may be out of shape and soft.
Luckily, with a few tips, when flying with chocolate in hand luggage without worrying about it melting.
Freeze It
Many travelers recommend freezing chocolate just before your flight and wrapping it in thermal or ziplock bags. Store chocolates in your freezer overnight before flying. Frozen chocolate takes much longer to melt – staying solid for hours even after removal.
Insulate It
Insulated bags, lunch bags, and coolers keep contents chilled for hours. Pack chocolate inside an insulator with frozen gel packs in your carry-on or checked bags. This blocks temperature changes and maintains cool temps.
Seal It
Packaging chocolate deliveries tightly in original packaging, plastic wrap, or Ziploc bags with all air pressed out helps prevent the chocolate from melting from the cabin or luggage air temperature. Vacuum seal bags also work great to transport your chocolate.
Hide It
Stash chocolate in the interior pockets of suitcases or buried in your carry-on. This shields it from direct air exposure in luggage holds or on airport tarmacs. Keeping chocolate insulated is still important.
Limit It
Bring reasonable quantities of your favorite chocolate you can consume during travel. Large amounts take longer to melt, but why risk it? Bringing less chocolate is safest. Share the love – make sure your travel buddies bring chocolate to share, too!
Go Dark
Dark chocolate contains less cocoa butter, so this chocolate doesn’t melt as quickly as milk or white varieties.
Note: You will find various countries restrict you from bringing certain types of food, even if chocolate is allowed.
Packing To Bring Chocolate On A Plane
When packing up your chocolate stash, keep these tips in mind:
- Hand luggage: If you bring liquid-filled chocolate, or like chocolate sauce in jars, you must limit to 3.4 oz containers. Freeze chocolate beforehand and use an insulated bag.
- Checked luggage: Pack solid chocolate bars, candies, or frozen items. Bury deep in interior suitcase pockets and wrap in plastic or seal in bags. Surround with clothes for insulation.
- Avoid foil: Foil-wrapped pieces of chocolate are prone to melting. Remove the foil wrappers of your chocolate and wrap them to avoid melting during the flight when you carry chocolates in your cabin bags.
- No gift boxes: Pretty gift boxes aren’t melt-proof. Don’t bring your favorite chocolate meant as gifts once at your destination in fancy boxes.
- Wrap tightly: Ensure all items are sealed tightly in plastic bags, cling wrap, or zip bags with excess air pressed out. This prevents temperature changes from affecting the chocolate when you carry chocolates in hand luggage.
- TSA Regulations: Ensure you follow the TSA recommendations for any given amount of liquid chocolate
With preparation, packing, and strategic carry-on or checked luggage placement, you can enjoy chocolate and make sure your chocolate on flights doesn’t cause too much mess as long as you follow airline rules on permitted food items. (Read Is A Fanny Pack Considered A Carry On)
What If My Chocolate Melts Anyway?
Even if you take all precautions, turbulence, delays, or hot weather may still cause some melting. If you open your bag to find melted chocolate on a flight, don’t fret:
- Let it solidify: Many chocolate types will harden again when cooled. Allow time to re-solidify at room temperature.
- Use it up: Molten chocolate is perfect for making dessert fondues, drizzling over ice cream, or mixing into a chocolate martini cocktail!
- Repackage it: Once hardened, chocolate can be re-wrapped or molded into new shapes as needed. Scrape off or wipe up any excess oil.
- Refrigerate it: Refrigerate your chocolates after packing your chocolates in your cabin baggage to help them re-solidify faster.
With some creativity, many foods, including chocolate, don’t have to go to waste! Worst case, you can always share the sweet treats with your fellow passengers.
Take Chocolate in Checked Luggage and Hand Luggage
Follow these pro tips for hassle-free chocolate transportation:
- Carry on anything liquid-filled in 3.4 oz or smaller containers.
- Many people recommend freezing your chocolate.
- Use insulated bags or wrap in insulation like clothes.
- Keep all chocolate tightly sealed in plastic bags or cling wrap.
- Limit quantities to what you’ll realistically eat or share during your travels.
Conclusion How To Carry Chocolates In Hand Luggage
Traveling with chocolate no longer has to leave you wondering if your chocolate may melt. By freezing your chocolate, packing it in insulated bags, limiting quantities, and following airline rules on solid versus liquid chocolate in carry-ons or checked luggage, your chocolate can arrive in perfect condition.
Remember to wrap the chocolate tightly and seal it in plastic bags or cling wrap to prevent temperature changes.
With these tips, you can confidently keep your chocolate in a decent condition and bring chocolate, candy, or liquid chocolate sauce through airport security and onto your flight without any hassle from the TSA rules and regulations.
Wherever your travels take you, your chocolate cravings can come too when you master the art of transporting chocolate by air without melting. (Read Can I Carry Chocolates In Cabin Baggage)
FAQs: Flying with Chocolate
Still have questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about transporting chocolate by air:
Is any type of chocolate allowed in carry-on luggage?
Solid chocolate in any form can be brought carry-on with no limits. Liquid chocolate must adhere to the 3.4-ounce or less container size.
What’s the best way to travel with chocolate as a gift?
Pack it very well in checked luggage or save fancy gift packaging once you reach your destination. Bring chocolate carry-on in practical wrapping.
Can I bring chocolate-filled candies like truffles or chocolate bark?
Yes, these solid forms of chocolate can be transported in carry-on or checked luggage. Just take precautions against melting, like freezing beforehand.
What about items with chocolate, like chocolate chips or cocoa powder?
Pure solid chocolate bars, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, etc., are allowed by airlines with no restrictions.
How much chocolate can I pack in checked baggage?
You can bring unlimited quantities of chocolate in checked luggage as long as it’s allowed by any international customs rules. Just be sure to pack strategically to prevent melting.
What if my chocolate melts anyway?
Let it re-solidify at room temperature, enjoy melted as a fondue or dessert sauce, repackage it once hardened, or refrigerate it to speed up solidifying. Melted chocolate brings sweet opportunities!
