Your healthcare and wellness routine doesn’t take a break when you fly. One of the best ways to ensure your travels are enjoyable is to bring what you need to maintain balance. Vitamins and supplements can be a core part of that routine, and knowing which you can bring on the plane is essential. This article breaks down the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines on everything you need to know about vitamins on planes.
The main concern with bringing vitamins and supplements aboard the plane is the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, which states that “you are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.” This article explains how this rule applies to each type of vitamin and supplement.
Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn about on this page:
Solid Vitamins
The 3-1-1 rule does not apply to medications or vitamins that are in solid form. You can bring an unlimited amount of solid vitamins or other supplements on a plane in your carry-on bag or a checked bag, according to the TSA. There is no need to declare your vitamins and medications in solid form to the TSA when you undergo security screening. Certain restrictions apply to vitamins that are in liquid form.
Gummy Vitamins
Due to their squishy gelatin essence, it’s natural to wonder if gummy vitamins are solids and if you can bring them on the plane. You can take unlimited gummy vitamins on a plane in your carry-on; according to the TSA, gummy vitamins are solids, and the 3-1-1 rule does not apply. Moreover, you do not need to pack vitamin gummies in their original container; you can carry those chews however you prefer!
Unmarked Vitamins
You can relax if you are worried about taking unmarked pills or wasting space bringing each pill container aboard the aircraft. The TSA does not require you to keep vitamins or prescription medication pills in their original bottles, and you can take them in your carry-on in an organizer or other container. Keep in mind liquid medications or vitamins are subject to the 3-1-1 rule. And although the TSA does not require it, certain states have laws requiring the labeling of prescription medication.
Softgel Vitamins
Since softgel capsule vitamins are literally tiny shells of liquid, it is entirely natural to wonder if they are subject to the TSA’s liquid rules. Luckily, the TSA does not apply the 3-1-1 rule to soft gel vitamins; you can bring an unlimited number of them in your carry-on. However, softgels are not to be confused with liquid gel medications, vitamins, supplements or other topicals subject to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. For example, this bioactive liquid gel multivitamin is subject to the 3-1-1 rule, while these softgels are not.
Liquid Vitamins
You can bring non-prescription liquid vitamins in your carry-on, such as vitamin syrup, according to the TSA. However, the 3-1-1 rule applies, and you must put any item over 3.4 oz (100 ml) in your checked bag. This rule also applies to gel vitamins like these or even aerosol vitamins like this. Only liquid prescription medications are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule, not liquid vitamins or supplements purchased without a prescription.
3-1-1 Exemption
Prescription liquids, creams, and gels larger than 3.4 oz (100 ml) are allowed on your carry-on bag and are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule, according to the TSA. This exemption includes liquid supplements that a doctor prescribes but does not include liquid vitamins or supplements purchased without a prescription. At security screening, you must declare all exempt liquids over 3.4 oz to the TSA officer. Other commonly exempt fluids include breast milk, infant formula, baby/toddler food and drinks, ice/gel/freezer packs used to cool breast milk/infant formula or medically necessary items, or up to 12 oz of hand sanitizer.
