Can You Take Vitamins on a Plane?

Flying with vitamins is not complicated at all. The TSA permits solid vitamins in carry-ons and checked luggage and liquid vitamins within 3.4 ounces in carry-on and higher quantities in checked bags. 

Many people are in the habit of taking a daily dose of vitamins and supplements. While traveling, keeping up the vitamin regimen means you’ll need to pack your vitamins to take along, even on a plane.

But, with so many TSA regulations on most things you can or can’t take on a plane, it is common to wonder, ‘Can you bring vitamins on a plane?’

The Quick Answer: Any vitamin pills, powders, soft gels, and gummies can be taken through airport security. As for liquid vitamins, you can take them provided they are in a container that is no larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on and anything more than that should be packed in checked luggage.

Here’s what you need to know about flying with vitamins.

Can You Take Vitamins Through Airport Security?

Since the TSA permits vitamins to be taken in carry-ons, you can get them through airport security. However, as vitamins come in different forms, it’s essential to know what’s permitted through airport security.

Vitamins that come in the form of pills, soft gel capsules, and gummies can be taken in any quantities in your carry-on bag since the TSA doesn’t specify any restrictions. You could even pack these in your pill organizer to take along.

While you can get powdered vitamins in your carry-on, if it’s more than 12 ounces (350 ml), you’ll have to place it in a separate tray for screening (like your laptop).

As for liquid vitamins, they must comply with the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule. You can pack containers of capacities within 3.4 ounces (100 ml) in a quart-size bag in your carry-on and anything exceeding that in your checked luggage.

This passenger is asking the TSA on Twitter can I take vitamins on a plane:

Can You Pack Vitamins in Checked Bags?

You can pack vitamins of any sort in checked bags in any quantity. Although, if you’re taking any liquid vitamin, it’d be best if it’s in a container with a tightly-closed lid and in a plastic bag to avoid any spills in your bag.

Always pack extra vitamins in your checked bags if you’re away from home for a long time at a foreign destination. You never know if you’ll get the same ones at any medical store in a different country.

Can You Take Vitamins on an International Flight?

If you’re boarding an international flight from the US airport, the TSA permits you to take vitamins through airport security and checked luggage.

However, since laws differ in various countries, you’ll need to check the laws of your travel destination on their website or through the airline about bringing vitamins. In addition, certain supplements or ingredients may be legal in one place but illegal in another.

Once you’re absolutely sure you won’t have any issues at your destination’s customs, pack your vitamins in your carry-on or checked luggage.

To be safer, keep your vitamins in their original package and have a prescription handy if they aren’t over-the-counter types.

Can You Bring Vitamins on an International Flight to the United States?

Often, you can get vitamins in your carry-on or checked luggage into the US without any problem at arrival.

However, you’d have to declare any medication or supplements to the TSA officers with or without a prescription. They might even ask you to take these out of your bag for inspection.

TSA officers conduct random screenings at arrivals; failure to declare these items could attract steep fines.

Can You Consume Vitamins on a Plane?

Once you’ve got your solid or liquid vitamins through security, nothing can stop you from consuming your regular dose on board.

Here are some tips to help with air travel with vitamins:

• Keep a water bottle with you if you have to take vitamin pills, soft gels, or powders.
• If you’re flying to a new time zone, keep track of your daily vitamin doses to continue at the same time as you did at home.
• Careful doses of sleep-aiding vitamins help overcome any jet lag effects faster.

Tips on Taking Vitamins For Travel

To make packing and traveling easier with vitamins, here are some tips that’ll come in handy:

• Look for hard vitamins (like the ones you can chew), and keep some water handy.
• Hard and powdered vitamins may attract moisture and start degrading in hot and humid places.
• If you’re traveling to a tropical tourist destination and carrying soft gel vitamin capsules, they may melt before you open your bags at your place of stay.
• Specially formulated soft gel capsules are a better option than any regular ones.
• If you have difficulties consuming tablets or pills, take water-soluble vitamin tablets instead. It dissolves in water easily, turning regular water into a sports drink.
• Look for vitamins that will supplement your physical performance during travel. For example, those with vitamin D, magnesium, and elderberry are great if you’re on vacation. 
• Rather than packing different vitamins in your carry-on, opt for multivitamins that contain most of the essential nutrients you’ll need.

Flying with vitamins FAQs

Summary

You can bring as many vitamins (in solid form) as you need in your carry-on and even checked luggage. Gummies, pills, soft gels, or powdered vitamins are good to go in carry-ons.

Any vitamin in liquid form needs to be either in quantities less than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on or checked bags (for more than 3.4 ounces per bottle).

With pretty straightforward TSA rules, flying with vitamins is a hassle-free process.

Other Airport Security Articles

While vitamins are a part of our daily routine and essentials, here are some of my other airport security articles for things that you might want to bring along on a plane:

1. Can I Take Lithium Batteries on Planes 2022?
2. Can You Bring Deodorant on a Plane?
3. Can You Bring an Electric Toothbrush on a Plane?

Sharing is caring!