Traveling with Loose Leaf Tea,..will i run into trouble?

[King_juanito]

i will be traveling to vegas on friday the 6th, with all the TSA rules for what you can and can not carry on a plane, do you folks think my loose leaf tea could be thought to be drugs by security?, most people think of tea as being teabags,, and i know TSA has over reacted to some plain things in the past, the news is full of that. any info that anyone can give?

[chamekke]

I'm in Canada so I can't advise on the specifics of the U.S. situation... but the last time I took loose tea in my checked luggage, I packed the "baggies" right at the top so that it would be evident I wasn't trying to conceal them. I didn't have any problems

[Chip]

I traveled with tea several times and did not have any problems. As long as you do not have something that is on the no carry on list, you should be OK.

[taitea]

Land of the free?

[geeber1]

I would keep them in their original packaging rather than plain baggies. That way they would have an "official" label.

As far as "land of the free" goes, I'd rather have restrictions placed on me than possibly allow explosives or whatever to be disguised and brought onto a plane. I agree that some things are rather silly, but better safe than sorry. Just sayin'.

[wyardley]

I've done it several times, and never run into trouble personally (even when I had my whole bag screened a time or two). I don't think you'll run into any issues. I'm sure TSA staff know what marijuana smells like...

[Beidao]

I have only been travelling in GB, but haven't had any problems even though my bag (and tea) was searched through. The security staff just said "You like tea don't you?" and wished me happy tea drinking

[brandon]

I had Adagio sample tins in my backpack, I would suggest using clear plastic containers instead. This won me a search by the TSA, who let me travel on with all of my belongings after discovering it was tea. Once I tried to pack a cheap electric kettle and korean infuser cup in my checked luggage, this also won a thorough inspection by the TSA.

[chamekke]

Of coruse, we're all in trouble if they start using tea-sniffing dogs with a taste for the Good Stuff...

[woozl]

If you "look" ok it shouldn't be a prob.
But if you look like a hippie (like I do) don't do it!
Or be ready for a "cavity search"

[Ryoruki]

I would put the tin/foil-bag of tea in a separate plastic baggie, so if it does spill or they want to inspect it, it can be removed without worrying about spillage. It should be in some sort of other packaging.

I've carried all sorts of strange items (ex. corkscrew,metal knitting needles, etc) aboard planes and the only time they had to open and search was when i forgot to take my external HD out of my bag.

also, the guidelines are just that, guidelines. they have the right to deny you ability to transport any item if they think that it is dangerous, regardless of if it's on the list or not. :< if they're going to take something away from you you can always ask to be able to step out of line and see if there's a place to mail it home, or try to talk to the head of the guards.

the best way to deal with airport security is to be as polite and attentive as possible, even if they're being complete jerks

[murrius]

If you "look" ok it shouldn't be a prob.
But if you look like a hippie (like I do) don't do it!
Or be ready for a "cavity search"

LMAO! Thank you for that........ The little emote is looking very much like he is enduring just the sort of search you mention.

[bi lew chun]

I stashed a burrito in my carry-on for a return flight from San Francisco last year, and my bag was searched. Sometimes you just have to take risks if you want to take the good stuff with you.

[bsteele]

If you want to avoid any trouble whatsoever, just pack the tea into tiny little baggies and place them... well you know... where the sun don't shine. You'll be golden.

wait a minute... that's a horrible idea