Flying with Plants
Can You Take Plants On a Plane?
Flying with plants 🪴
Can I take plants on an aeroplane?
The simple answer for you nature lovers is yes, you can bring a plant onto the plane. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S. The TSA allows plants in both carry-on and checked bags.
The rules and regulations of flying with plants will depend on the plant type, the airline you are flying with and the laws of the destinations you are flying from and to.
Discover this information in our guide to see if you can take your plants with you on the plane. If you are looking for other items which you can or can not take on a plane, check out our guide to prohibited items.
Tips for flying with plants
🌵 Make sure you follow guidelines and check that you can bring the species of a plant into the country you are travelling to. Check to see if you need any documentation for the plant. This may be a permit or fee documentation.
🌻 Once you know it’s allowed, you still face the challenge of keeping a plant healthy and undamaged while travelling. Make sure that the plant is free of soil. You can do this by rinsing it off outside and brushing off the soil. Wrap the roots in damp newspaper and secure them in a plastic bag to prevent them from drying out.
🌿 Declare any form of the plant at customs. Even if you are sure it is allowed, you will need to declare it as the customs and border officers have the final decision if you are allowed to bring it into the country.
Do plants belong in carry-on luggage or checked baggage?
Are plants allowed in hand luggage?
Plants can be carried on an aeroplane, but the rules and regulations depend on the plant type, the airline, and the destinations.
Ensure the plant is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you or the overhead bin. It's advisable to use a secure, spill-proof container to prevent soil from spilling.
Check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aeroplane.
Are plants allowed in checked luggage?
If the plant appears to be too big to be taken as carry-on baggage then you will have to take it as checked.
Of course, this will depend on the airline you are flying with and their rules and regulations. If you're concerned about weight, you can remove the soil and wrap the bare roots in moist paper or towels.
Taking plants into the United States
Most airlines will base their regulations on the national agriculture department for the area. For example. most American airlines will base their rules on TSA guidance. When travelling on a domestic flight in the USA, most plants will be allowed on the plane as either hand luggage or checked luggage.
Like any other item of baggage, they will have to undergo security screening inside the x-ray machine and also be able to fit within the normal hand or checked baggage restrictions such as fitting in the overhead compartment or a bag under your seat.
Some species are not allowed into the US from international territories. Depending on where they originated from, some plants can be brought into the US without permission, providing they are declared, inspected and free of pests. It is up to the US inspectors to make the final decision on if you are allowed to bring a plant into the US. The reason for some species being prohibited is that they can often carry foreign pests and diseases that can harm American agriculture or the environment.
Taking plants into the European Union
There are strict rules and controls on the plant products that can be bought into the European Union (EU). This is because of potentially harmful pests and diseases that could be brought into the region and devastate the environment, landscapes, crops and agriculture.
Travelling within the EU
You can bring any plant products into a European country, providing they were grown in an EU country, are free from pests and diseases and are for your use and consumption.
The following plants are prohibited if they are intended for planting:
- Plants and seeds of Fraxinus (Ash)
- Pants and seeds of Castanea (Sweet chestnut)
- Plants of Platanus (Plane)
For these purposes, Gibraltar and the Canary Islands do not count as being part of the European
Bringing plants into Australia
Australia has strict regulations surrounding the import of plants and plant products into the country. This is because of the risk of the introduction of weeds, pests and diseases into the Australian natural environment, which has the potential to harm food security and the economy.
Unfortunately, taking live plants in and out of Australia is not allowed, so therefore, this suggests that you should not intend to travel with a plant, either in your carry-on or hold luggage. This appears to be the same for inbound and outbound travel.
The Australian Government, under the Department of Agriculture, have created an online tool where you can search for the good you wish to transport to find out the following:
- If the goods are permitted in Australia
- If the country you wish to import it from is permitted
- If a permit or documents are required
- If there is treatment or inspection required
- Any other important import information
The BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions System) search tool can be found here.
Canada's rules and regulations on plants
As with many other places, Canada has different rules for travelling with plants depending on if you are travelling domestically within Canada or outside of Canada. If travelling domestically within Canada, you are fine to take a plant (or flowers) on a plane. You are also fine to travel with a plant in your carry-on or checked baggage.
Generally, you will need to check and verify the exact item you are looking to bring before travelling, to see what special requirements are needed.
You can use the Canadian Food Inspection Agencies Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to check this. This is due to potential diseases and threats to ecosystems which can be caused by bringing in non-native plants.
Important Information 💡
The guidelines on this page are to be used for a general summary and outline of what you may be able to take on a plane with you. The laws and government regulations can change at any time, and often suddenly without notice. Therefore, contact the relevant authorities, such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the EU, if you are unsure.
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FAQ's
What plants are not permitted in EU countries?
Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes for planting (excluding potatoes)
From certain countries (listed below), you are permitted 2kg of combined weight per person. If a country is not listed, then they are not permitted.
Cut flowers and foliage
You are permitted one bouquet, of up to 50 stems, of restricted cut flowers. For details on which flowers are restricted, see the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Parts of trees used as decoration (e.g. wreaths, Christmas trees)
You are limited to a maximum of restricted foliage forming 1 spray, wreath or 1 cut in the countries listed below. Also a Christmas Tree up to 3m in height. In all other countries, this is not permitted.
Natural wood and non-manufactured wood
For the listed countries, you are permitted 5 pieces without bark, each measuring no more than 1m in length. However, certain wood types are restricted - contact the Forestry Commission for more information. If the country is not listed below, you are not permitted it.
What plants are banned when travelling to the EU from a non-EU country?
Some products are banned completely or are restricted by weight and quantity. If you wish to bring in a restricted product, you must obtain the relevant phytosanitary documents from the country where the plant was grown.
Seeds for planting
- Does not include potato seeds.
- You are allowed to bring 5 x retail packed packets of restricted seeds. However, some seeds are not restricted, but you can contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency for a complete list.
Seeds of Fraxinus (Ash) and Castanea (Sweet chestnut) for planting
These seeds are prohibited from being in an EU country for planting.
Soil
Soil is not permitted into an EU country from a country outside the EU.
Ash, Citrus and Vine plants
These plants are not permitted in any EU country.
Can I travel with plants to Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands?
There are some plants and seeds that are/aren't allowed into the US from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. See the table below for more details:
Items ALLOWED into the mainland (after inspection):
- Flowers (fresh, cut or dried)
- Plant cuttings and plants without soil
- Most fruits, vegetables and herbs
Items NOT ALLOWED into the mainland:
- Pigeon peas
- Sweet potatoes
- Cut citrus leaves (fresh)
- Cottonseed, cotton and cotton cuttings
- Cactus
- Citrus and citrus-related plants
- Plants in soil
- Soil
- Sugarcane
- Pulpy seeds or nuts
Can I travel with plants to Hawaii?
Some plants and seeds are/aren't allowed into the mainland US or Alaska from Hawaii. See the table below for more details:
Items ALLOWED into the mainland (after inspection):
- Coconut, Irish or white potatoes, pineapple, papaya, abiu, atemoya, banana, curry leaf, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, mangosteen, rambutan, starfruit, sweet potato
- Dried seeds
- Plants and cuttings (some require certification)
- Wood (including driftwood and sticks) and wood roses (dried)
- Fresh flowers, leis, and foliage, except citrus or citrus-related flowers, leaves or other plants
- Spanish Moss
- Seed leis and seed jewellery
Items NOT ALLOWED into the mainland:
- All other fresh fruit and vegetables
- Berries of any kind
- Cactus plants or cactus plant parts
- Cotton and cotton bolls
- Fresh flowers of Jane Vine or Mauna Loa
- Kikania and fresh pandanus
- Seeds with fruit clinging and fresh seed pods
- Soil or any plants in the soil
- Sugarcane
- Swamp cabbage
- Sweet potato (raw)
- Mock orange
Are fresh-cut flowers and greenery allowed on a plane?
Freshly cut flowers and greenery must be presented at the first point of entry for inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is up to the officer to determine if the cuttings are free of pests or diseases and to see if they meet entry requirements.
However, depending on the airline you are flying with, it is not guaranteed that they will be allowed due to allergies.
Are you allowed to travel with seeds?
Travellers are prohibited from bringing tree or shrub seeds. Seeds from fruit, vegetables, flowers and other types are allowed if they meet the following conditions:
- The seeds are not prohibited or protected or subject to special restrictions such as post-entry quarantine or treatment
- You have a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country you are departing from the National Plant Protection Organisation, declaring the seeds free of pests and disease.
- The seeds pass an inspection by Customs and Border Protection, determining that it has met all entry requirements.
Can you fly with fruit and veg?
You can usually bring fruit and vegetables on a plane, but it depends on the airport and the country you're travelling to and from.
You can generally bring solid foods like fruit and vegetables in your hand luggage. However, liquids and foods with a high liquid content, like sauces, soups, and stews, are usually prohibited.