Can I Bring Canned Sardines and Port Wine on a Plane? Customs & Security Guide

Travelling from Portugal with iconic local food is almost a ritual — but between airport security rules and customs regulations, one question always comes up: can canned sardines and Port wine go in your carry-on? The short answer is yes, with important conditions.

Canned sardines in hand luggage: the 100 ml rule

At European Union airports, any food containing liquid — olive oil, tomato sauce or brine — is treated as LAG (liquids, aerosols and gels) and is subject to the 100 ml per container limit in carry-on baggage.

However, Portugal has an operational particularity well known among frequent travellers: canned fish up to 150 g may pass through security when departing from Portuguese airports, as long as each unit respects that total weight. The final decision is always made by the security officer. To avoid losing gourmet tins, the safest option is to place them in checked baggage.

What about customs? It depends on your destination

Within the European Union, you can carry fish products for personal consumption without specific quantity limits. If you are travelling outside the EU, the destination country's rules apply. In many cases, processed fish products are allowed but may have weight limits, packaging must be commercial and sealed, and quantities must clearly be for personal use.

Port wine on a plane: cabin vs. checked baggage

In carry-on baggage, only containers up to 100 ml inside the liquids bag, or purchased at duty free after security in a sealed tamper-evident bag. In checked baggage, bottles can be transported without the 100 ml limit but must be well protected against breakage.

Practical tip

If you want to take several tins and a good bottle: put canned goods in checked baggage, pack Port wine in checked baggage or buy it at duty free, and always check the destination country's rules. That way you avoid surprises — and your Portuguese flavours arrive safely.