Many caviar lovers like to bring tins with them when they travel, either as a gift or to enjoy on vacation.
The good news is that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows travelers to carry caviar on planes if they follow certain rules.
Understanding these guidelines helps you keep your caviar safe, cold, and fresh from start to finish.
With a little planning, you can travel easily and enjoy your favorite delicacy anywhere in the world.
You just need to know how to pack it, what to expect at security, and how to handle it once you land.
Key Takeaways
You can bring caviar on a plane if you follow TSA and customs rules. Small tins under 3.4 ounces can go in your carry-on, while larger tins should be packed in checked luggage with solid ice packs. Keep the caviar sealed, labeled, and cold at all times.
For international trips, most countries allow up to 125 grams (about 4.4 ounces) of farmed caviar per person.
True Beluga caviar is banned, but farmed options like Osetra and Kaluga Hybrid from Petrusco Caviar meet all legal and environmental standards.
Shop our Caviar collection to find premium, travel-ready tins that stay fresh and compliant wherever your journey takes you.
TSA Regulations
Carry-On Allowance
TSA allows caviar in carry-on bags, but it must follow the 3.4-ounce (100 milliliters) liquid rule.
Small tins that fit this limit can go through security as long as they are sealed and properly labeled.
If the caviar is vacuum-sealed and solid, larger tins may sometimes be accepted, but it depends on the officer’s inspection. Keeping it in a clear bag helps speed up the process.
Checked Luggage
If you are traveling with larger tins, it is safer to place them in checked baggage. Make sure the caviar stays cold by using gel packs or frozen ice packs.
Wrap the tins in bubble wrap or a soft towel to protect them from pressure and movement during the flight.
Packaging Requirements
All containers should be sealed, labeled, and placed inside clear plastic bags. This makes inspection easier and helps prevent any leaks.
Travelers carrying multiple tins should pack them in an insulated bag or small cooler to maintain the right temperature.
How to Keep Caviar Fresh During Travel
Here’s how you can keep your caviar fresh during travel:
1. Use Ice Packs
Caviar must stay cold at all times. TSA allows frozen gel packs in carry-on bags, but they must be completely solid when you go through security. If the packs have started to melt, they may be thrown away.
To avoid this, freeze them overnight and pack them tightly with the tins to hold their shape longer.
2. Insulated Bags
A soft insulated cooler or travel pouch helps keep your caviar at the right temperature. Line the bottom with frozen gel packs, place the tins in the middle, and add more gel packs on top.
Close the bag firmly and avoid opening it until you reach your destination.
3. Plan for Time
Caviar is delicate and should be eaten within 24 to 48 hours after it leaves the refrigerator.
Plan your travel so that your caviar stays cold and can be enjoyed soon after arrival. Avoid long layovers or trips without access to refrigeration.
Can You Bring Caviar Internationally? What to Know Before You Fly
If you plan to take caviar abroad, it is important to understand the rules in both the country you are leaving and the one you are entering.
Many travelers are surprised to learn that not all types of caviar are allowed across borders.
Import Restrictions
Some countries restrict or ban Beluga caviar because the Beluga sturgeon is an endangered species. In the United States, importing true Beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea is not allowed.
However, other varieties like Osetra, Beluga Hybrid, and Siberian caviar are usually permitted in small personal amounts, up to 125 grams per person (about 4.4 ounces), under CITES international guidelines.
Customs Declarations
Always declare your caviar when you go through customs. Even if it is for personal use, undeclared items may be taken away or fined.
Keep the tins sealed and labeled to prove that your caviar comes from a legal, farmed source.
Destination Rules
Each country has its own import limits. The European Union, Japan, Canada, and Australia all require travelers to follow local wildlife and food regulations.
Check these rules before your flight to avoid problems when you land.
Travel with Confidence
When you buy from Petrusco Caviar, you get caviar that is fresh, compliant, and travel-ready.
Every tin ships in insulated packaging with ice, so it stays perfectly chilled until you arrive.
Shop our collection of Osetra and Kaluga Hybrid caviar today and enjoy a taste of luxury anywhere you travel!