Flying with Coral.

c.poindexter · Mar 24, 2017

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to get advice from reefers who may have done this in the past. I will be attending reefapalooza in May and if I find some coral I plan to purchase it there. I would
like to know if anyone has purchased coral and taken it in their carry on. My other option if this is not feasible or a good idea is to ship it the day I leave and pick it up when I get home. I appreciate the info.

Thank you

SalinFL · Mar 25, 2017

You think you'll get through TSA with those when they won't even let you through security with a bottle of water in your backpack? I would think shipping them would be your (and your corals) safest choice. I can't imagine what your options would be if TSA turned you away.

Coronus · Apr 1, 2017

I have read that if you get the permission ahead of time, they will allow it. Also you can send it with your checked bag. I have never been told I can't bring a drink on the plane. My wife takes water bottles everywhere. They also say no lighters, but I have always taken one in my pocket with no problem.

Zwogle · Apr 1, 2017

I'm sure it depends on the airline, I just brought some coral back from San Francisco on Alaskan Air in my checked luggage. I bought a cheap 1 gallon drink cooler (like this goo.gl/ZNDSWH ) and taped up the top and wrote on Live Coral and my name and phone #. It came through fine, they didn't even open and check the bag.

pugcrush · Apr 1, 2017

c.poindexter said:
Hello Everyone,

I wanted to get advice from reefers who may have done this in the past. I will be attending reefapalooza in May and if I find some coral I plan to purchase it there. I would
like to know if anyone has purchased coral and taken it in their carry on. My other option if this is not feasible or a good idea is to ship it the day I leave and pick it up when I get home. I appreciate the info.

Thank you

I wouldn't trust TSA. Rules change every week it seems. You can bring 'fish' on your carry on. But corals aren't fish.

Check a bag if you can on the way back. It's what I always do & plenty of others. The show ends on a Sunday so shipping really isn't feasible.