Transporting Corals in airline carry on baggage

[joe-ejs]

Hello. I am flying out of town and was wondering what the rules are for bring some coral frags in my carry on bag. Will the airline allow me to do it? Will they stop me at security? I was hoping to transport some frags to my friend. It is a US domestic flight.

anyone have experience doing this?

 

[LegendaryCG]

Less than 4 oz of water is the limit for carry ons, I suppose security might over look it with live animals in it but it sounds like an expensive gamble to me.

 

[costaricareef]

Less than 4 oz of water is the limit for carry ons, I suppose security might over look it with live animals in it but it sounds like an expensive gamble to me.

In other times it would not be a problem. I once took a leopard shark in a box filled with water on an international flight out of the US. The guys at the checkpoint just laughed when it went through x-ray. Now, those 3oz limits will make it very difficult!

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Look at how chaosaquatics ships. They use 2 oz plastic shot glasses turned upside down with the coral protected by the cup. There is a very minimal amount of water this way. But obviously will only work for small frags.

 

[G Santana]

I'm glad this thread came up, I'm on vacation in Las Vegas and plan on hitting two local LFS with my stepson and I hope to be able to take a few items home with me.

 

[GK3]

Hello. I am flying out of town and was wondering what the rules are for bring some coral frags in my carry on bag. Will the airline allow me to do it? Will they stop me at security? I was hoping to transport some frags to my friend. It is a US domestic flight.

anyone have experience doing this?

TSA actually has an exclusion for this because they don’t want you checking it. Basically it needs to be in a clear container and TSA can inspect it. The problem is, most TSA people (at least that I’ve encountered) don’t know this rule. They will see it and require you to stay under the oz limit. Since they have final say, this is what you have to do.

I tried to find the TSA page for this, it’s in the same part that talks about live lobster.

 

[LuizW13]

I've read many times that you can take corals with you on the plane because they're a living animal. But yeah, like GK3 said, most TSA staff don't know about it. So, go to the TSA website and try to find their live animal policy or something like that, and print it out to take with you.

That way it's easier to argue your point.

 

[F i s h y]

Just found this on tsa website

Miscellaneous | Transportation Security Administration

The TSA "What Can I Bring?" Miscellaneous page outlines regulations for carrying Miscellaneous items in both carry-on and checked baggage.

www.tsa.gov

 

[Amandakayphoto]

You can always hit up AskTSA on Facebook messenger, etc. To ask them. They are great about responding.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

I brought coral frags in a container I bought from The Aquarium King in Fort Lauderdale. It has 12 frag frag rack in it and it came with papers for TSA. They looked at it at checkpoint and let me through. Just make sure you have it out when you go through screening and let them know.. I also brought a Fench Angel in a bag also. I will post a pic after I get home from work of it. Easy Peasey

 

[KStatefan]

I have never taken any frags on a plane but it seem like reading on r2r over the years it is really what ever the TSA agent want to do on that day.

 

[LuizW13]

Just make sure you don't forget to print out the TSA web page that was posted a few replies back to show the TSA agents!!

 

[ctopherl]

Just found this on tsa website

Miscellaneous | Transportation Security Administration

The TSA "What Can I Bring?" Miscellaneous page outlines regulations for carrying Miscellaneous items in both carry-on and checked baggage.

www.tsa.gov

I am incredibly shocked that their list is thorough enough to cover "live coral"