Bon Voyage & Bon Apetit: Caviar that’s Cleared for Takeoff

#1 Cleared for Takeoff, Approved for Arrival

Quantity Control: 125 grams per person for personal consumption. No red tape, no special permissions. Follow the next few rules, and you’re cleared for takeoff.This applies to domestic and international travel and checked and carry-on luggage (more on that later).

Clear and Present Label: Caviar comes with credentials, and international law requires a few things to be clear—tight on the tin or risk confiscation.

Note: These labeling rules are the industry’s bare minimum—compliance, not credibility. The real security check? The one we hold ourselves to—and you can taste. With Altima Caviar, compliance is just the starting point. Where regulations end, our standards begin.

TSA compliant Temp Control: We all know caviar has to stay cool to stay fresh. To get it through security, the cooling mechanism must be completely frozen at the time of screening. See #2 for TSA-friendly packing strategies that preserve both your caviar and your peace of mind.

Declaration of Indulgence: When crossing borders, do declare. Even caviar that checks every box can be confiscated if caught unclaimed in countries that require it—including the United States, all EU nations, the UK, and most of Africa, Asia, and South America.

#2 Packed to Perfection

Caviar must be kept between 26°F and 32°F from departure to destination—and right up until serving. Any warmer, and the flavor, texture, and experience are all at stake. Preservation lies in the packing—where you place it, what you pair it with, and how you insulate it. Get it right, and your precious cargo arrives TSA-compliant and pristine

The Cooling Mechanism:

Your vessel matters, of course—without the right cooling method, your caviar risks not just spoilage—but seizure. Gel ice packs win every time. Unlike dry ice—wrapped in airline red tape with ventilation rules and special handling needs—gel packs are effortless, effective, and TSA-approved. Just make sure they’re fully frozen at screening.

We recommend: For longer haul trips, the Enger Cooler Packs and the Polar Ice Bricks for up to 36 hours of temperature control in the right insulation (see Pack it to Perfection below for optimal performance).

Honorable mention for predictable travel times under 24 hours, the Gel Blox Shipping packs you received with your Altima Caviar Shipment.

The Vessel

Packed according to the instructions below* the YETI Daytrip Lunchbox and the Engel UC7 cooler will maintain your caviar for at least 10-12 hours and 12-24 hours respectively. Place the caviar tins in an additional layer of insulation such as reflectix or a neoprene pouch inside the cooler and extend that time to 16 hours and 24+ hours respectively.

Honorable Mention: The Igloo Dual Compartment Backpack which can keep your caviar fresh and fabulous following the basics for 6-8 hours and with the added insulation up to 12 hours.

Pack it to Perfection

How to

• Pack with two ice packs-one on top and one under the caviar tin using a layer in between for even cooling
• Lunchbox pre-chilled in the fridge overnight for maximum cooling efficiency
• No unnecessary openings during transport to maintain temperature stability
• Stored in an air-conditioned or shaded environment (avoid direct sun or hot car interiors)

#3 Carry it On

Keeping your caviar in check means never checking it in. Tossed around, delayed, disappeared—these are tales of the cargo hold, where caviar most certainly does not belong.

Keep calm and carry it on.

#5 Don’t Forget the Essentials

A caviar key isn’t just convenient—it’s crucial. It ensures your tin stays perfectly intact, making it ideal for savoring now and saving for later. The Altima Caviar Key loops onto a key ring for effortless access—I keep one on my keychain for unexpected indulgences and another clipped to the zipper of my go-to caviar carrier.

As for the mother-of-pearl spoon, it goes without saying—but I’ll say it anyway: most metal utensils can and will alter the taste of caviar. No pearl spoon? Opt for plastic, wood, glass—anything but metal. Being born with a silver spoon? Privilege. Serving caviar with one? Preposterous.

Or have your caviar meet you there…

Whether you’re jetting off to the slopes, settling into a seaside villa, or planning the perfect dinner in a new city, Altima Caviar delivers (literally). With next-day air shipping* across the U.S., EU, and UK, every order arrives fresh, chilled, and ready to enjoy.

Order Altima Caviar direct to your destination within the US, EU, or UK.

For more curated travel and lifestyle inspiration be sure to check out Destination: Decadence and explore unique caviar experiences from coast to coast. For those looking forward to spring on the slopes, get a little ski style inspo with Altima’s Slope Style Edit and explore our list of little luxuries we never ski without with (need title when we have it and then link when we publish.)

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