With air travel, many regulations and restrictions are in place to ensure passengers’ safety and security. One common concern for many travelers is bringing Starbucks liquid coffee on plane after passing the security checkpoint in their free hand. Understanding the guidelines set by transportation authorities, like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is essential to avoid any unnecessary hassles or confiscations.
The TSA has rules for liquid items to be carried on board. As indicated, beverages like coffee, whether in liquid form or prepackaged, fall under the category of liquids and must fit in a quart-sized bag in carry-on luggage. Bringing an unopened water bottle or purchasing Starbucks drinks after security is acceptable, yet the TSA prohibits bringing open alcoholic beverages or harmful substances on board.
Powdered substances, including coffee grounds, may require additional screening. Note: Rules may vary for international and domestic flights, and border protection and agricultural regulations come into play.
In our guide, you can learn more about carrying your Starbucks coffee or unopened water bottle. Airport security classes all liquids the same as what you can and can’t bring on a plane. By the end, you’ll better understand why you may not take a Starbucks extreme travel mug through airport security, yet it can go in your checked bag or baggage. (Read Can You Use Eggnog As Coffee Creamer)
Can You Bring Starbucks on a Plane After Security?
Traveling can be tiring, and many people rely on their favorite caffeinated Starbucks coffee to stay energized. If you’re a Starbucks fan, you might wonder if you can bring Starbucks coffee you bought at the Starbucks store on a plane after airport security.
Here, you can find the rules and loopholes for bringing Starbucks on a plane, the restrictions on buying coffee grounds, the cost of Starbucks at the airport, and more.
You Can’t Bring Coffee Through Airport Security (Mostly)
If you have ever been through an airport security checkpoint, you are well aware of the meticulousness of the TSA agents. Their primary aim is to ensure the safety of passengers. Regarding liquids, the TSA has restrictions on preventing potential threats. As a result, bringing large liquid items, including coffee, through security is not allowed.
The liquid restrictions at airport security checkpoints can be frustrating, as you can only bring containers with a maximum capacity of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). This means bringing a hot cup of liquid or coffee on a plane with you past security is not the question. While you could technically bring Starbucks coffee grounds on a plane, it wouldn’t be helpful without the means to brew it.
Loophole for Getting Liquids Through Security
Although you can’t bring a full cup of coffee through security, there is a loophole you can use if you desperately need your Java fix. The TSA has implemented the 3-1-1 rule, which allows you to carry-on bags and bring liquids through security in specific quantities and packaging.
Under the 3-1-1 rule, you can bring containers of liquids with a capacity of only 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) each. These containers must fit into a quart-sized (1-liter) clear plastic bag. Each passenger is subject to these limits, regardless of the number of items they carry-on bag alone. While this policy is specific to the United States, most foreign countries only have similar rules regarding hand luggage.
So, if you’re determined to bring your own brewed liquid coffee with you through airport security, you can divide it into 3.4-ounce containers and place them in a quart-sized bag. For example, if you have a 12-ounce cup of coffee, you can pour it evenly into four containers and bring them through security.
Once you pass the security checkpoint, you can combine the contents of these containers into your preferred drinking vessel, like an empty bottle or a travel mug. (Read What Is A Hand Crafted Drink At Starbucks)
Can You Bring Starbucks on a Plane if You Buy It After Security?
Starbucks has become a presence in airports worldwide, and many travelers have made it a ritual to grab a cup of Starbucks coffee before or during their flight. The good news is that there are no restrictions on bringing coffee, including Starbucks, on an airplane.
The only liquid restriction you will encounter is when you pass hand luggage through airport security. However, if you buy Starbucks coffee in the airport terminal after security, you may bring it onto the plane again after security. There is no need for additional screening or special permissions. You can enjoy your favorite Starbucks java throughout your flight, allowing you to savor every sip while soaring to your destination.
It’s worth noting the only exception is that any alcohol you purchase from duty-free stores must remain sealed throughout your time in the airport and during the flight. As for coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages, you can consume them at your leisure. Travel Tip: Consider purchasing your regular coffee from a Starbucks location if one is present after the security screening before boarding the aircraft. Add it to an empty bottle or bring pre-made coffee on a plane from the Starbucks store in your travel mug.
If there is one carry-on item to take, it could be your travel mug to fill with your preferred Starbucks coffee, yet ensure it is empty at the security checkpoint. Some travelers even bring an empty thermos to fill once they pass the checkpoint x-ray machine for taking coffee onto the plane after being filled with Starbucks coffee. (Read What Does Double Blended Mean At Starbucks)
Can You Bring Ground Coffee on a Plane?
While the restrictions on liquid coffee are well-established, what about bringing coffee grounds on a plane? The good news is that coffee grounds are not considered a liquid, and you can pack them in your carry-on or checked luggage with no issues.
You can bring coffee grounds on a plane. According to the list of words you provided, coffee grounds fall under the category of “powdered substances.” With powdered substances, like more ground coffee (over 12 oz.), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may require additional screening.
This means the security checkpoint. You might be asked to separate your coffee grounds from your belongings for further inspection. Remember, rules and regulations for powdered substances may vary in most countries.
Customs and border protection policies may have additional restrictions or guidelines for bringing agricultural products or food items across international borders when on international flights. In the USA, a good example with arriving passengers not declaring ground coffee or coffee beans as they are classed as solid food items.
Is Starbucks More Expensive at the Airport?
As with many items sold at airports, there is a common perception that prices are higher than in regular stores. The same can be said for Starbucks coffee.
The higher prices at airports are mainly because of operating costs. Running a business at an airport involves additional expenses, like higher rent, increased security measures, and the need to use within limited space.
These factors contribute to the higher prices you may encounter when purchasing Starbucks coffee at an airport.
Can You Bring Ground Coffee On A Plane?
According to the Transport Security Administration, you may bring Starbucks coffee beans and ground coffee on airplanes. You can place such products in your carry-on baggage take-on luggage if you purchase them before going through the security check. If it is not already packaged, you can place the ground coffee in a decent bag or a container with a tight-fitting lid.
To comply with the rules, ensure the amount of ground coffee you bring is less than 12 ounces. With more than 12 ounces of ground coffee, the TSA may not let you pass the security check. The TSA sets rules for such powdered substances. You may be subjected to extra screening if you have more ground coffee.
Are you bringing ground coffee from abroad back to your native country? If so, you must declare every food item you get into the US. There may be fines if such foods are not declared to US Customs and Border Protection. The provenance of coffee beans is essential to Custom and Border Protection, which has set rules for such agricultural products. You ought to be wary of the CBP’s arbitrary passenger screenings.
Starbucks coffee beans and ground coffee are also transportable by passengers from the US to other nations. You will have to go through screening of your checked baggage once more after you arrive in the foreign country.
Most nations require that ground coffee be kept in its original, unopened packaging when you take your own coffee on a plane. Research before the scheduled departure date to discover more about the rules governing using such agricultural products when traveling internationally.
FAQs
Is It Legal To Carry Hot Starbucks Coffee On A Plane?
Yes. If you buy it following security, you can bring coffee or other hot drinks on a plane. Note: you can get free coffee from the flight attendant, so you may not need to bring it unless it is iced.
Can You Board A Plane With Any Starbucks Coffee?
Yes. You can board a plane with coffee if it is pure and contains no illegal ingredients, like alcohol.
Can I Take A Cup Of Starbucks Coffee Through Airport Security?
You can, as long as your personal item doesn’t weigh more than 3.4 ounces. Bring an empty travel mug with you instead, then fill it with Starbucks coffee after passing through airport security. As a bonus, this keeps hot coffee warm longer. (Read Does Starbucks Pink Drink Have Caffeine)
Are Any Starbucks Foods Allowed On Planes?
Solid food products are not permitted in carry-on bags, even if you can buy food from Starbucks in the airport and take it on a plane. In checked luggage and checked bags are the best places to store pre-packaged food when visiting a different country.