Quick Answer
✅ Yes. TSA allows hot sauce in both carry-on and checked luggage.
✈️ In carry-on, hot sauce must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule (≤3.4 oz / 100 ml per container).
⚠️ Full-size bottles must be packed in checked baggage.
Details
- Carry-on:
- Hot sauce is treated as a liquid.
- Containers must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and fit in your quart-sized liquids bag.
- Duty-free bottles bought after security can be carried on if sealed in a secure bag.
- Checked luggage:
- Larger bottles and gift packs are allowed with no size limit.
- Wrap carefully to prevent leaks.
- International flights:
- Customs may restrict bringing sauces containing meat or dairy ingredients into some countries.
TSA Hot Sauce Rules Summary
| Item Type | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Hot sauce | ⚠️ ≤3.4 oz only | ✅ Allowed |
Gotchas / Common Issues
- ✈️ Spills: Glass bottles can crack under pressure — double bag or use padding.
- ✈️ Customs checks: Some countries restrict sauces with fresh peppers, meat, or dairy.
- ✈️ Duty-free exception: Large bottles bought after security are fine if sealed.