Quick Answer
⚠️ Bottled, canned, or brewed coffee drinks are liquids.
✅ In carry-on, they must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or smaller inside your quart-sized liquids bag.
✅ Larger bottles/cups are only allowed if purchased after security or packed in checked luggage.
✈️ Coffee powders and instant mixes are allowed in any size, though > 12 oz may require extra screening.
Details
- Carry-on:
- Bottled Starbucks, Dunkin’, cold brews, iced coffees, and canned lattes are limited to 3.4 oz.
- Full-size 8–16 oz drinks cannot pass TSA security.
- After security:
- Any size coffee drink purchased post-screening is fine to carry onboard.
- Checked luggage:
- Larger bottles/cans are allowed. Seal them tightly to avoid leaks.
- Powders & instant coffee:
- Allowed in both carry-on and checked.
- Containers > 12 oz may trigger extra screening.
- International flights:
- Customs may restrict drinks with milk or cream ingredients when entering another country.
TSA Coffee Drink Rules Summary
| Coffee Product | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Brewed / bottled coffee ≤ 3.4 oz | ✅ Allowed (quart bag) | ✅ Allowed |
| Brewed / bottled coffee > 3.4 oz | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed |
| Duty-free bottled coffee | ✅ Allowed (sealed) | ✅ Allowed |
| Instant coffee powder | ✅ Allowed (screening >12 oz) | ✅ Allowed |
Gotchas / Common Issues
- ✈️ Half-full bottles don’t count: TSA uses labeled size, not contents.
- ✈️ Milk-based drinks: Customs abroad may restrict lattes or cream-based coffees.
- ✈️ Leak risk: Coffee cans/bottles can burst in checked bags. Double-bag them.
- ✈️ Hack: Bring instant coffee packets and ask for hot water on the plane.