can i carry sodium nitrite on a plane?

[thinkkank]

i bought SN in another country and i plan on travelling to see some family members before ending things. can I carry SN in my check-in luggage? would it be classified as "spices" since it's for meat preservation?

 

[Farmmaa]

I wouldn't.
it is restricted in some countries.
If you have the liquid, you wouldn't be able to carry it with you or they will confiscate it... not because it's SN, but because it's a liquid.

I wouldn't chance it, just to void having to spend hours in customs trying to explain what it is and why you have it.

 

[goldenrods]

if you're in the US don't bother.. customs are hell even without dangerous chemicals. although i suppose you can shove it up your anal cavity if you reaaaally need to...

 

[kiko]

Yeah i wouldnt chance it either. Its banned in my country due to being used in explosives.

 

[MaybeMaybeKnot]

It's an oxidizer, so I don't think they'd be super thrilled. However, can you put 50 grams into another container?

 

[Schadenfreude]

if you're a female, you can always just bullshit it by removing the label and putting it in a makeup container or something and tell 'em it's a makeup/setting spray lol. i smuggled a few grams of heroin and some bars last year on my trip to korea and they didn't say anything. airports mostly look for bombs/firearms tbh. my grandmother also brought six bottles of whiskey too. they couldn't give two shits about drugs/liquids, but i guess it depends on the country as well.

 

[thinkkank]

it's in powder form and less than 350 grams. it would be labelled as a a meat spice for preservation only. would it cause any problems?
*if they open the bag and remove a sample to test, would the exposure to air cause it to oxidize?

 

[squirtsoda]

I'm sure in the US it would be fine, it is not a hazmat substance in the slightest, it is totally stable and it is not liquid. By the way I'm a former airline pilot and my sister worked for the TSA. I would either leave it in its original container labeled as what it is or put it in a container of Morton's salt or something. It's the same consistency as table salt and roughly same color if it's pure. It is not restricted in any way to possess in the US.

 

[SettOne1994]

First of all dont you just need 25 30 grams of it? Secondly i would carry a lot of food items in my suitcase lets say , with pasta sauce etc tell them someone kicked you of your house you must go back to your grandfathers house . They wont bother. Also why not mix it with liquid and put it in a bottle of perfume or something since 50 ml its needed for cbt? ....... dont put it in a bottle of water here in europe they require you to throw it in the garbage for some reason. Others dont let shampoo bottles etc so just put it wisely. There might aswell be in your country the choice to put all your liquid in a plastic bag so your ok

 

[squirtsoda]

Also, in the US the TSA specifically does not look for drugs, even if they see minor amounts they pretend they didn't see it. It isn't their job and they are not police. They are there only for safety of flight (as totally useless as they are). TSA not to be confused with CBP, they look for drugs. SN shouldn't be remotely confused with any drugs due to its consistency. Cocaine, H, and F are like powdered sugar, SN isn't even close

 

[S1mpleme]

Also, in the US the TSA specifically does not look for drugs, even if they see minor amounts they pretend they didn't see it. It isn't their job and they are not police. They are there only for safety of flight (as totally useless as they are). TSA not to be confused with CBP, they look for drugs. SN shouldn't be remotely confused with any drugs due to its consistency. Cocaine, H, and F are like powdered sugar, SN isn't even close

Are you sure? From my experience they trew out all my food and looked at me like I was a terrorist.

 

[voyager]

Well, imho, don't leave it in the checked luggage, but keep it on your person. That way you'll know for sure if it has been compromised or not. We once had two small bottles of curry powder in our checked luggage, and it was checked again somewhere in transit, with a filthy finger, a dirty pen, who knows, but someone obviously went through it. Sure, to them it looked like someone possibly masking drugs with curry powder, but to us it was just gross.

 

[squirtsoda]

Are you sure? From my experience they trew out all my food and looked at me like I was a terrorist.

SN isn't food, and certain types of food are allowed, you just need to go to the TSA website or app to check. Cakes and pies for example are allowed. And @voyager is right, keep it in your carry-on luggage.

 

[mrbrooks]

I was thinking the same thing today and since it is an oxidizer I won't risk bringing it. According to the faa website oxidizers are not allowed. https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/PackSafe_for_Passengers_English.pdf

 

[PJFord]

I think TSA has more pressing issues today getting people to wear masks, socially distance, etc. Pack it in your toiletry bag with toothpaste, deodorant, etc., it would likely get missed. If they question tell them your grandmother asked you to bring it as she cures meats and other foods. Be confident going through TSA and don't give off any anxious vibes. You asked about it being opened. That won't effect the potency if they just take the top off to look and put it back on.