Yes. On U.S. domestic flights within the mainland. But most fresh fruits and vegetables can't be taken from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland, and produce from abroad must be declared to U.S. Customs.
Whole fresh fruits and vegetables are solid food and are allowed through TSA for travel within the continental U.S.
Allowed in checked bags for travel within the continental U.S.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Hawaii to mainland: all food and plants must be presented for USDA inspection before departure; most fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited (pineapple and coconut are allowed after inspection)
- Puerto Rico/USVI to mainland: USDA pre-departure inspection; only produce on the allowed list (e.g., avocado, banana, pineapple, citrus) may go
- International arrivals: declare all fruits and vegetables; first-offense civil penalties for undeclared prohibited items can reach $1,000
Packing tips
- Eat or toss fruit before landing from abroad, or declare it; undeclared prohibited produce is confiscated and can bring a fine.
- From Hawaii, papaya, banana and lychee are only allowed if treated at a USDA-approved facility and sealed in marked boxes.
- Mexico arrivals: many fruits such as mangoes, apples, oranges and stone fruit need a permit.
Questions people ask
Can I bring fruit on a plane?
Yes, on domestic mainland flights. Flights from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or USVI, and international arrivals, have agriculture restrictions.
Can I take fruit from Hawaii to the mainland?
Most fresh fruit is prohibited. Pineapple and coconut are allowed after USDA inspection at the airport, and some treated fruit in sealed boxes.
Do I need to declare an apple when flying into the US?
Yes. All fruits and vegetables must be declared to CBP.