Can You Bring Seashells On A Plane? (TSA Rules)

Last Updated on May 3, 2021

It’s nice to bring a little something from somewhere else back home with you.

Seashells are great little souvenirs, but can you bring them through airport security?

Let’s take a look at the rules.

TSA Seashells

The Transportation Security Administration are responsible for keeping dangerous items off of planes. Let’s see what they say about sea shells.

Yes, according to the TSA you can take seashells on a plane in either carry-on bags or checked bags.

That means if your are flying on a domestic flight you’re good to go. Just make sure to give any sea shells a good clean before packing them.

Taking Sea Shells On International Flights

If you are flying internationally it’s not only airport security that you need to worry about.

You also need to get past customs at your destination country and that’s not always straightforward.

For example, a permit is required to import queen conch shells from the Caribbean into the United Kingdom.

So if you are flying with sea shells internationally then double check the customs rules for your destination country.

Still Unsure? Ask The TSA

If you have any further questions you can ask the TSA on Twitter.

Suzanne asked if you could bring seashells, sea glass, and sand in her carry-on.

And the TSA said she could bring the seashells on the plane.

This passenger asked if they could bring a conch shell through the TSA checkpoint.

The TSA replied “Yes, a conch shell is allowed in both carry-on and checked bags through our screening”.

But when Dana asked about bringing a conch sea shell from Mexico to the USA the TSA gave a different answer.

The TSA only run airport security in the United States. The Mexican airport security equivalent will determine what you can bring on a plane departing from Mexico.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency determine what can and can’t be brought into the country.

Kate asked if she could bring a bag of live oysters including their shells on the plane.

The TSA answered that she could bring oysters and the could even be packed in ice so long as the ice was frozen solid.

The Verdict

You can pack sea shells in your luggage for domestic flight. Make sure they are clean and nothing is living in them!

If you are flying internationally then double check the customs rules for your destination country.

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