Chips in Hand Luggage

 

Are chips allowed in hand luggage?

Chips such as potato chips, Pringles or other snacks are allowed in hand luggage. The quantity does not matter (within the EU), as long as you comply with the hand luggage regulations of the respective airline in terms of weight and maximum permitted dimensions.

 

Chips in hand luggage in the USA

Not only in the EU and generally in Europe, but also in the USA, potato chips are allowed in hand luggage.

 

Does it matter what kind of chips we are talking about?

Not really. No matter if it’s potato chips, banana chips or wasabi flavoured chips, as long as it’s a snack in solid form, there are no restrictions to transport in hand luggage.

However, if you want to take chips with you that are accompanied by a sauce, you must follow the rules for liquids in hand luggage:

• The sauce must be stowed in the bag of liquids
• The maximum capacity of the sauce container must not exceed 100 ml
• The maximum capacity of the bag of liquids must not exceed 1 litre
• Only one such bag per passenger is allowed

No products found.

 

Will a bag of chips explode on an airplane?

Most likely your chips will just expand slightly. The likelihood that they will actually pop open during the flight is very small.

However, if that is something you worry about, feel free to bring chips in another container of your choice. You’d better choose a container that is not considered dangerous at the security checkpoint. So a glass container would not be recommended.

 

Chips in checked baggage

Transporting chips in checked baggage is also permitted. This applies to journeys in Europe and within the EU as well as in the USA. There are no restrictions regarding aviation security with regard to the transport of chips in checked baggage.

 

Caution with potatoes

As potato chips are known to be made from potatoes, one could jump to the conclusion that potatoes can also be transported in hand luggage without any problems. Unfortunately, this is not that simple. On the contrary. For potatoes, there is a strict import ban.

So, if you travel to the EU from a third country, you must not bring potatoes with you in your hand luggage.

The same applies if you travel from the EU to a third country.

Importing potatoes in your luggage is strictly forbidden.

However, if you are travelling within the EU, this is not a problem. Potatoes may then also be carried in hand luggage.

Why a ban on importing potatoes?

Even the smallest quantities of potatoes may not be imported in your luggage. The reason for this is the danger of spreading bacterial ring rot – a potato disease with devastating effects. A strict import ban has been put in place to prevent the introduction of this quarantine disease.

 

What about other snacks in hand luggage?

The rules that apply to chips also apply to most other snacks. For snacks and food in general, there are three important points to keep in mind:

• If the snacks are in liquid form, you have to observe the rules for liquids in hand luggage 
• If the snacks are meat or dairy products, you must comply with the import regulations of the country of destination. The import of meat and dairy products is generally prohibited.
• If you bring snacks for consumption on board, this is usually no problem. You can also bring meat snacks on board. As long as you eat the snacks on the plane, there is no need to worry. This also applies to bread and sandwiches, for example.

 

Related Questions

 

Can cheese be transported in hand luggage?

In the EU, cheese can always be carried in hand luggage. However, the rule for liquids in hand luggage must be observed for cheese in liquid form, such as cheese spread and soft cheese. Furthermore, the import and export of cheese is generally prohibited. There is a general import/export ban on dairy products (such as cheese) and meat products.

 

Is it allowed to take sandwiches on the plane?

Interestingly, this is allowed. Even if the rolls contain cheese or meat products, they may be brought through the security check. However, you should then already consume the rolls in the aircraft, as there is usually an import ban on meat and dairy products.

 

Can I take olives with me in my hand luggage?

This should not be a problem within the EU. However, the rule for liquids in hand luggage must be observed, as olives are often pickled in salt water.

 

Can I take sweets with me in my hand luggage?

As a rule, this is not a problem. In the EU, elsewhere in Europe and when travelling to the US, sweets can be carried in hand luggage.

If the sweets are liquid sweets (e.g. chocolate mousse), the rules for liquids in hand luggage must be observed. Chocolate or biscuits, for example, are fine.

However, you should always check the import regulations of the destination country. However, if the sweets are already eaten on board, this is no problem (Attention: the rule for liquids must of course also be observed in this case).

 

Are oranges allowed in hand luggage?

Basically yes. If the oranges are intended for consumption onboard the aircraft, then that is ok in any case (even on international travels from/to third countries). If you are travelling within the EU, you can also take the oranges with you in your checked baggage and bring them to the country of destination.

As far as the import/export of fruits in personal travel (both in hand luggage and checked luggage) is concerned, i.e. if you either travel with fruits to a third country or travel back to the EU from a third country with fruits, you must also take into account the import and export regulations for fruits (oranges). In this case, there are many rules to be observed.