Can You Take Biltong on a Plane? TSA Rules and How to Pack It
Published UpdatedYes, you can take biltong on a plane. On US domestic flights the TSA treats it as a solid food, which is allowed in both carry-on and checked bags with no quantity limit. The only real catch is international travel: flying into the US, biltong from abroad is a customs problem, not a security one.
Biltong is the best plane food there is, and I say that as someone who's eaten a lot of plane food. It doesn't spill, doesn't smell like the tuna sandwich in 14C, and it survives a delay without a fridge. Here's what the rules actually say, and how to pack it so it lands in the same shape it took off in.
Does TSA allow biltong in carry-on bags?
Yes. The TSA's "What Can I Bring" entry for solid foods says solid food items "can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage." Biltong is about as solid as food gets.
Two lines of small print worth knowing. The TSA notes that officers may ask you to pull food out of your carry-on for a separate bin, because dense items can clutter the X-ray image. And every entry on that site ends with the same sentence: "The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint." In practice that's boilerplate. A bag of dried beef isn't going to trouble anyone.
Can you put biltong in checked luggage?
Yes, same rule. There's no weight or quantity limit on solid food in checked bags from the TSA's side; your airline's baggage allowance is the only ceiling.
That said, I'd keep it in the cabin if it's for eating on the flight, and for a less obvious reason: the hold is cold and your carry-on isn't, and a bag that goes cold then warms up in a taxi queue can sweat inside sealed plastic. Which brings us to packing.
What about biltong dips, chutney and sauces?
Here's where people get tripped up. Biltong itself is solid, but the things that travel with it often aren't. Anything spreadable, pourable or gel-like falls under the TSA liquids rule: containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all fitting in one quart-sized bag, in carry-on.
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Biltong (sliced or whole stick) | Yes | Yes |
| Droëwors | Yes | Yes |
| Biltong dip, cream cheese spread | 3.4 oz containers in the quart bag | Yes |
| Chutney, hot sauce, peppadew jar | 3.4 oz containers in the quart bag | Yes |
| Biltong powder or spice mix | Yes (large containers of powder can get extra screening) | Yes |
If you're carrying a jar of Mrs Ball's to go with it, put it in the checked bag and save yourself the conversation at the belt.
How to pack biltong for a flight
The enemy on a flight isn't security. It's moisture. Biltong is dry, and it wants to stay dry, and a sealed plastic bag in a warm cabin is the fastest way to get condensation on the inside and a soft, grey patch two days later.
Packing rules that work, in order of how much I care about them:
- Paper over plastic for anything under a week. A paper bag or a paper-lined box lets the meat breathe. Sealed plastic traps moisture. If it came vacuum-packed and you're flying the same day, that's fine; open it when you land.
- Don't slice it until you need it. A whole stick has less surface area, dries slower, and travels better. Slice on arrival. A small folding knife goes in checked luggage only, obviously.
- Wetter biltong needs the fridge sooner. Wet-style biltong has more water in it and is happiest in the cold. For a multi-day trip in summer, dry-style is the safer traveler.
- Keep it out of the sun. Rental car dashboards in Texas are not a storage solution.
The biltong storage guide goes deeper on paper versus plastic, fridge versus counter, and what to do if you've already found the grey patch.
Can you take biltong on an international flight?
This is the caveat that matters, and it has nothing to do with the TSA. Airport security anywhere cares about liquids, blades and explosives. Whether meat can enter a country is decided by that country's agriculture and customs authorities at the other end.
The important cases:
- Flying into the US from abroad. Biltong from South Africa (or anywhere not on the USDA's foot-and-mouth-free list) is prohibited and will be confiscated. Declare it and there's no fine. Don't and there is. Full details in can you bring biltong into the US.
- Flying out of the US with US-made biltong. The TSA doesn't care. Your destination might; plenty of countries restrict meat in luggage the way the US does, so check the destination's customs site before you pack a gift.
- Domestic connections after an international arrival. Customs happens at your first US airport. If the biltong made it through there, the onward domestic leg is just a TSA solid-food situation again.
The short version: inside the US, biltong is a snack. Crossing a border, it's an agricultural product. Plan for the second one.
Is biltong a good plane snack?
It's the one I'd pick over anything else on the trolley. Protein-packed, 0g sugar, no refrigeration, no smell, and it doesn't leave your fingers orange. A decent handful takes a long time to eat, which on a five-hour flight is a feature.
Two practical notes. Eat it with water rather than the free coke; the salt and the cabin air are already working against you. And if you've got a neighbor eyeing it, that's normal. Biltong makes friends on planes. It's the only thing it's ever been detained for.
If you're curious what separates it from the jerky in the airport newsstand, the biltong vs jerky comparison is the place. For the product itself, start at what is biltong.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take biltong through airport security?
Yes. The TSA classes biltong as a solid food, which is permitted in carry-on and checked bags on US flights. Officers may ask you to remove it from your bag for X-ray screening.
Is biltong allowed in hand luggage?
Yes. Biltong is allowed in hand luggage on US domestic flights with no quantity limit. Any dips or sauces packed with it must follow the 3.4-ounce liquids rule.
Can you bring beef jerky or biltong on a plane in the USA?
Yes. Both jerky and biltong are solid foods under TSA rules and can travel in carry-on or checked luggage on domestic US flights. Rules for international arrivals are set by customs, not the TSA.
Can you take biltong on a plane to the USA from South Africa?
You can carry it onto the plane, but it will not be allowed into the United States. US customs prohibits beef products from countries not declared free of foot-and-mouth disease, and South Africa is not on that list. Declare it on arrival to avoid a penalty.
How should I pack biltong for a flight?
Pack biltong in paper or a breathable container rather than sealed plastic for trips longer than a day, keep it whole rather than sliced, and keep it out of heat and direct sun. Vacuum-sealed packs are fine for same-day travel.
Does biltong need to be refrigerated when traveling?
Dry biltong does not need refrigeration for short trips and keeps at room temperature for weeks when stored in paper. Wet-style biltong has more moisture and should be refrigerated within a day or two.
The store isn't open yet, so if you want something to fly with, the $100 Founding 50 first-batch box is the only thing on sale and it'll be a while before it boards anything. Questions about packing or anything else go to cal@btbiltong.com.
Related reading
Eating low carb? Start with is biltong keto? and how many carbs are in biltong, or see carnivore diet snacks.
