Carry-on bags
Yes
Checked luggage
Yes
Rules for Flights in the USA
In the United States, dried mushrooms are allowed in hand and cargo baggage. The USDA establishes that dried mushrooms must be clean from any soil, insects, diseases, and any residue of other plants. Airport security agents will inspect them and if they don’t comply, they won’t be allowed on the plane.
Generally, there aren’t any restrictions on the packaging of your dried mushrooms, but sealed packages are less likely to have problems going through security. If you’re returning from overseas, you must declare your dried mushrooms to customs, or you could receive a fine.
Dried grounded mushrooms count as a granular material and are subject to the powder rule. Quantities over 12 ounces / 350 milliliters are subject to inspection at the airport.
Psychedelic mushrooms aren’t allowed on planes and their possession and consumption are illegal in most states in the United States.
Rules for Flights in Other Countries
Canada and India
In Canada and India, dried mushrooms aren’t listed as banned or allowed in hand and cargo baggage. But, usually, the rules are similar to the United States and dried and processed foods are welcomed on planes.
Europe and the United Kingdom
In European and United Kingdom flights, dried mushrooms aren’t mentioned as allowed or banned items on planes. Yet, they have strict rules regarding the foods that enter their territories. Domestic passengers can carry meat, dairy, plant products, fruits, and vegetables between borders. But, international passengers can’t carry most vegetables and plant-based products into the country without a phytosanitary (plant health) certificate. Commercially processed and sealed plants and vegetables are usually allowed without the certificate, so commercially sold dried mushrooms are more likely to be allowed through security.
Australia
On Australian flights, dried mushrooms are permitted in hand and cargo baggage on planes if they are commercially sealed and labeled with both common and scientific names. The type of mushroom must be a green-listed species in the Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions list.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, dried mushrooms are allowed in hand and cargo baggage with a limit of 2 kilograms. Passengers must declare them and they are subject to inspection. Truffles and Ganoderma are not allowed in the country.
China
Chinese authorities don’t mention dried mushrooms specifically, but commercially sealed packages of food for personal consumption are usually allowed on planes. However, most raw and fresh fruits and vegetables are forbidden from entering the country so home-dried mushrooms that are not sealed commercially might not be allowed through security.
Sources: For writing this article, we took information only from official sources, like airline regulators, government websites, and major airlines. If you want to confirm that our information is accurate and up to date, click on any of the links mentioned above. We linked out to where we found this information for each country.
Disclaimer: The final decision of whether you can bring dried mushrooms onboard airplanes always rests on the security officer. Some airlines also have additional rules that may be different.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bringing Dried Mushrooms on Planes
Are all species of mushrooms allowed on planes (morel, button, shiitake, portobello, truffles, porcini, etc.)?
Not all species of mushrooms are allowed on planes in the United States. Although not specified, generally morel, button, shiitake, portobello, and porcini are allowed on planes. The USDA only asks for mushrooms to be soil and pest free. Psychedelic (or psilocybin) mushrooms are illegal in most parts of the United States and are considered a drug. Their possession is forbidden and passengers carrying these types of mushrooms in the United States are subject to criminal prosecution. Some truffles have psychedelic properties and therefore might not be allowed on planes.
Are fresh mushrooms (not dried) allowed on planes?
Generally, fresh mushrooms are welcome in hand and cargo baggage in the United States with certain restrictions. The USDA allows fresh mushrooms in planes as long as they are clean of any soil, pests, and illnesses. Fresh mushrooms, as with all foods, must undergo an x-ray screening and possibly a physical inspection too. If airport agents find soil or pests in your fresh mushrooms, they will confiscate them. Agents can also confiscate your mushrooms if they are unidentifiable, considered dangerous, or part of an illegal group of psychedelic mushrooms.
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Can I bring dried mushrooms from China to the US?
For the most part, you can bring dried mushrooms from China to the United States with certain restrictions. For dried mushrooms arriving from China, the USDA asks for them to be soil, pest, and contaminant-free. Commercially sealed and labeled packages are less likely to cause questioning when going through security. Airport agents have the right to confiscate your dried mushrooms if they don’t comply with these requirements or if they consider the mushroom species dangerous or illegal.
Do I need to take out dried mushrooms when going through security?
In general, you don’t need to take dried mushrooms out of your carry-on when going through airport security. TSA rules state that only electronics larger than a phone, liquids, and large quantities of powder must be taken out of the bag when going through airport security. However, TSA also mentions that some agents may ask passengers to take food out of their bags for inspection and screening. Food is subject to x-ray screening and airport security agents will decide whether dried mushrooms are allowed on the plane.
Read Next: Can You Bring Beef Jerky on Planes?
Should I pack dried mushrooms in hand or checked luggage?
Overall, it’s best to pack dried mushrooms in hand baggage when traveling in the United States. Solid foods, including dried mushrooms, are allowed in hand baggage. Keeping your mushrooms in hand baggage will prevent them from getting squished in your checked baggage. It will also make it easier to answer any questions that airport security might have regarding the mushrooms, their type, use, or origin. If you’re carrying home-dried mushrooms, you can use reusable silicone bags to store them in your cabin baggage.
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