Can I Bring Fresh Eggs Through TSA and Onto a Plane?

The TSA allows some pretty weird things on planes - including fresh eggs! Here are some tips I've learned for getting your eggs from point A to point B without breaking or being confiscated.

I would venture a guess that due to how I earn my living, I travel with fresh eggs more than the average person.

Whether it be flying across the country to record a morning show in California, or traveling to Atlanta to speak at a fair, or heading to the Mid West to do a book signing, I find myself tucking a carton or two of fresh eggs into my luggage pretty frequently.

But even more frequently, those of us with fresh eggs often enjoy gifting them to family and friends.

Can I Bring Fresh Eggs Through TSA and Onto a Plane?

And with the holidays fast approaching and huge numbers of people flying to far-flung destinations and back to their hometowns for Christmas, I have had several people email me to ask if they can bring fresh eggs with them on a plane.

And the answer is Yes! And no need to try and bribe the TSA agents with delicious, fresh eggs! In fact this is right from the TSA website:

Although there is a disclaimer on the TSA site that it's ultimately up to the discretion of the TSA agent, in all the times I have flown with fresh eggs, not once have I had them confiscated or disallowed going through TSA.

I usually fly American, but have also brought eggs through TSA on flights with Alaska Air, United and Delta. The airline you're traveling with doesn't really matter, since the rules are dictated by the TSA, not the individual airlines.

Here are some things I've learned from my "egg courier" experiences to make your experience go smoothly.

Pack the Eggs in Bubble Wrap, Tissue Paper or Newspaper

I like to transport the eggs right in the egg carton, but wrapping each egg individually in something to cushion them a bit is a good idea.

Save the Carton Decoration for When you Land

Because there's a good chance the TSA agent will want to open the carton to inspect your eggs, don't tie it shut with ribbon, twine or string, etc. Save the decorating for when you reach your destination.

Set the Carton in your Carry-On Bag

Hand carrying the eggs through TSA is your best bet. Although the TSA does allow fresh eggs in your checked bags, I would never try checking eggs! I think we all have seen how the baggage handlers handle luggage!

I've brought as many as four dozen eggs at a time in my carryon and never had any problem.

Put the Carton in its own Plastic Tote to go through TSA

If you leave the carton in your carry-on, your bag will likely get flagged for inspection. By setting the carton alone in its own plastic tote ensures that your whole bag won't be examined.

I can almost guarantee that the TSA agent will open the carton. It's happened to me every time. I assure them that they're eggs and each time my carton has been let through.

Ask if the Eggs Can be Manually Inspected if They're Fertile Hatching Eggs

I usually bring eggs through TSA to be used a "props" on a TV set or my book signing table, or as a hostess gift for a friend, but I have also brought fertile hatching eggs home on a plane with me.

If you're transporting hatching eggs, I would suggest that you request that they be handed around the XRay instead of scanned. Just in case.

I did successfully hatch eggs that had gone through the XRay machine, but it's worth asking if the eggs can be manually inspected and not subjected to the scan.

Set the Carton on the Floor Under the Seat in Front of You

Since items shift in the overhead bins of a plane, I always like to set the carton of eggs on the floor under the seat in front of me, next to my carry-on bag.

So that's the long and short of carrying eggs through TSA and on a plane. Pretty straightforward.

And for those wondering, I've also carried chicken treats along with fresh and dried herbs successfully through TSA as well.