Whole and powdered spices are generally reported as allowed in check-in baggage but not in cabin baggage on Indian flights, following Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines. Dry coconut (copra) is reported as prohibited in both. Makhana and saffron do not appear on the lists we reviewed, so pack them sealed and check your airline.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Festival season means gift boxes of makhana, saffron and homemade masalas travelling between cities. Here is what is generally reported about carrying them, and where the rules are less clear.
Can you carry spices in cabin baggage on Indian flights?
Reports that cite the BCAS list say whole and powdered spices, including chilli, should go in check-in baggage and not in the cabin bag. A Gulf News explainer last updated on 3 August 2026 lists spices in powder or physical form as “No” for carry-on and “Yes” for check-in. Indian airlines follow BCAS guidelines, so the same split is what you should plan for on domestic routes.
The practical advice is simple: if it is a masala, a spice mix or a sealed pack of whole spices, put it in the bag you check in. If you only travel with a cabin bag, expect a screening officer to ask you to remove it, and you may have to leave it behind.
Is dry coconut allowed on a flight?
Dry coconut, also called copra or khopra, is the item that surprises most travellers. News reports say BCAS added copra to its list of prohibited items in March 2022, and recent explainers list dried coconut as prohibited rather than just restricted to check-in. Reports connect the ban to the oil content of the dry kernel.
Fresh coconut is treated differently in some lists, usually check-in only. Because reports differ on the details, do not pack any form of coconut in a festival gift hamper without checking with your airline first.
What about makhana, dry fruits and saffron?
This is where we need to be honest about what is known. Makhana (fox nuts) and common dry fruits such as almonds, cashews and raisins did not appear on the prohibited-item lists in the sources we reviewed. That is not the same as an official statement that they are allowed, so keep them in sealed, commercially packed boxes, which are easier to screen and explain.
Saffron is sold in tiny quantities, and small retail packs are usually easy to carry. The issue is volume. Large quantities of saffron have been seized from passengers at Indian airports in past customs cases, and in one reported 2023 case at Kannur a man carrying 12 kg was booked for failing to produce documents for it. If you buy saffron as a gift, keep the shop receipt and the original sealed pack.
- Pack spices, masalas and whole spices in check-in baggage.
- Keep dry fruits and makhana sealed in retail packaging.
- Keep receipts for expensive items such as saffron.
- Leave dry coconut at home unless your airline confirms it is fine.
What are the rules for pickles, ghee and oil?
Reports citing the BCAS list say pickles are generally fine in both bags, but chilli pickle is reported as check-in only. Ghee and cooking oil are reported as allowed in both bags, with a 5 kg or litre limit mentioned for checked baggage, and cabin liquids are subject to the usual 100 ml rule. Sources differ on some of these details, so treat them as a guide and confirm with your airline.
The rules come from the security regulator rather than from individual airlines, so they apply across Indian carriers, but screening staff apply them at the checkpoint. If you are unsure about an item, ask your airline before you travel.
Do the rules change on international flights?
Yes. Indian security rules decide what you can carry out of the airport, but the country you land in has its own customs rules. Reports on India to UAE travel in 2026 list items that are restricted on arrival, including poppy seeds, and say some food items face scrutiny. Powders can get extra questions at arrival checks in many countries because an officer cannot tell what a powder is just by looking at it.
If you are flying abroad, check the destination country’s customs website for food and plant products, declare what you carry when asked, and keep everything in labelled original packaging. Our rule of thumb: the stricter of the two countries’ rules applies to you.
Common Questions
Can I carry masala powder in hand baggage?
Reports citing BCAS say powdered spices are not allowed in cabin baggage but are allowed in check-in baggage. Pack them in your checked bag.
Are whole spices like cardamom or cloves allowed in the cabin?
Reports say spices in physical form are also check-in only. Small amounts sometimes pass screening, but you should not count on it.
Is makhana allowed on flights?
It was not listed as prohibited in the sources we reviewed. Carry it in sealed retail packaging, and confirm with your airline if you are carrying a large quantity.
Can I carry saffron on a domestic flight?
Small retail packs are generally easy to carry, but keep the receipt. Large quantities draw attention from customs, especially on international routes.
Is dry coconut banned on flights in India?
News reports say BCAS added copra to the prohibited list in March 2022. Check your airline before packing any dry coconut.
Do airlines charge extra for carrying food items?
Food items count towards your baggage allowance like any other item. Web check-in and airport check-in are free on every Indian airline, but heavy gift boxes can push you over the checked baggage limit.
Planning a festive trip with gifts in tow? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings, and set a price alert so you can pick a fare that suits your baggage needs.
Rules and fees change. Please verify current specifics with your airline, BCAS, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
