Often passengers would want to carry mushrooms from China and Italy as they want to take a part of the food culture of these destinations back to their home countries. The question baffling passengers is whether can you bring edible mushrooms on a plane.
Travelers are not always informed about what they can bring on a plane or what they cannot not be packing in their bags when preparing for a flight. The lines for permissibility become blurred among personal belongings, food, and medicine.
Today’s guide for traveling with mushrooms will detail the various kinds of mushrooms (dried, fresh, and psychedelic) and their permissibility in the luggage and on a plane.
Can You Bring Edible Mushrooms On A Plane?
For this section- can you bring edible mushrooms on a plane- we concern ourselves with determining whether edible mushrooms that are non-psychedelic and used in the kitchen as a vegetable can be brought along on a plane.
People traveling with edible mushrooms on a plane can carry the product in their checked or carry-on bags when traveling within the United States of America. However, passengers flying internationally with edible mushrooms are mandated to declare the item to the USA customs so that agents can inspect and see if the mushrooms align with the safety policies of the USDA.
When traveling with edible mushrooms, make sure that they are free of any plants, woodchips, soil, diseases, insects, and water. Likewise, if you are transporting an unknown species of mushrooms whose packaging states no name or other details of the product, apply for a PPQ 526 permit before traveling, which will act as a declaration of assurance that no pests are present in the package.
There is no restriction regarding the packing or the quantity of edible mushrooms, but when in a ground powdered form, mushrooms should always be packed in the checked luggage. They must be within the capacity of carrying – 350 grams or 12oz.
International Flights
Unlike domestic flights in the USA, when traveling internationally, all passengers must adhere to rules and regulations when boarding a plane with edible mushrooms.
Only cooked, dehydrated, commercially packed, and dried edible mushrooms are permissible for carrying on planes nearly worldwide without the intervention of packaging restrictions.
The kind of mushrooms with which you will encounter limitations are non-commercially packaged and fresh mushrooms. For these types, restrictions imposed by countries and their concerned authorities vary based on the fungus species.
Such as, to fly to UK and Europe with edible mushrooms, you will first have to get a certificate confirming plant health. In New Zealand, you cannot travel with mushrooms that are not native to the country, as they have banned all truffles and non-native kinds to prevent invasive species.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that all our readers travel internationally with commercially sealed, dried, and dehydrated mushrooms for convenient air travel.
Permitted Mushroom Kinds On A Plane
Another common fear most passengers traveling with edible mushrooms have is the kinds of mushrooms permitted on a plane. Generally, airport authorities and airlines allow for all popular varieties of mushrooms on flights, including oysters, buttons, chanterelle, porcini, cremini, shiitake, morel mushrooms, and portobello.
Usually, truffles are allowed, but the final decision for permissibility depends on the destination country. For example, New Zealand prohibits travelers from bringing truffles compared to other countries, which would gladly permit incoming passengers to carry Italian White, Oregon, muscat, winter black and burgundy truffles.
Typically, a mushroom specie native to the destination country you are flying to will be banned from entering with a traveler to and fro on a plane.
Flying With Psychedelic Mushrooms
Previously, we have in-depth considered all kinds of edible mushrooms and their allowance on a flight, now the focal point of our discussion will be psychedelic mushrooms, otherwise also known as “shrooms,” and if they can be taken on a plane for a flight in the USA.
Flying with shrooms is very different than flying with edible mushrooms because psychedelic mushrooms under the Controlled Substances Act are categorized as Schedule 1 substances, implying they are illegal in the USA.
It is essential to understand that regardless of differing laws for using and possessing psychedelic mushrooms in every US state, flying from a state legalizing shrooms to a state classifying shrooms as prohibited, it is illegal to fly with edible mushrooms across states.
Though the TSA’s primary focus is on threats to security for aviation and eliminating explosives and weapons from luggage instead of drugs for personal use and abuse. Still, if any psychedelic mushrooms are inspected during the screening process, trained agents will report for illegal substance activity and then specifically search you for drugs.
Since it is technically against legal rules to transport, consume, or possess shrooms, avoid legal complications by refraining from traveling with edible mushrooms. Rather, choose to prioritize your legality and personal safety during flying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Is it safe to hide and travel with edible mushrooms?
If edible mushrooms you are traveling with are dried, dehydrated, or packed commercially, you can travel safely without repercussions.
Are psychedelic mushrooms allowed on a flight in the USA?
Though you are traveling from one state to another in the USA, regardless, it is not allowed for you to carry psychedelic mushrooms on a flight as they are considered to be narcotics.
Will there be an issue with a packet of mushrooms without a label?
TSA agents must check for mushrooms during security checks, and a packet of mushrooms without labels can be problematic. To avoid problems, beforehand, get a PPQ 526 permit.
Can I carry mushroom powder?
Yes, you can carry mushroom powder but within a specific limit. Powder must not exceed 12 oz or 320 grams in weight.
Conclusion
We have informed you about all the regulations and restrictions for bringing edible mushrooms on a plane. So the next time you pack edible mushrooms in your luggage, re-check for guidelines against our article to be safe!
