Can you bring creatine on a plane? Rules by country

Creatine and pre-workout powder on flights in and from Japan

The rule for creatine and pre-workout powder comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items. On international flights its liquids list applies as well.

Creatine and pre-workout powder: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan

Where	Allowed?	What applies
In the cabin	Yes	Yes. Creatine and pre-workout powder are not liquids: Japan's liquids list covers liquids, gels, aerosols and anything that cannot keep its shape without its container, and it leaves out powdered items such as powdered soup stock. A ready-mixed pre-workout or energy drink is a liquid, and on international flights it falls under the 100ml limit.
In checked baggage	Yes	Yes.

Creatine tubs, pre-workout and protein powder at the checkpoint

No list in our sources names creatine. Aviation authorities file it with protein and energy powders, and the checks are about the tub.

The TSA's name for it is Protein or Energy Powders: The TSA has no creatine entry. Its entry is Protein or Energy Powders, allowed in carry-on and checked bags. A tub of powder greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL goes in a separate bin for X-ray screening, and the TSA says the container may need to be opened.
Australia sorts powders into organic and inorganic: CASA's entry reads Protein powder (soy, whey, workout, pre-workout etc), and it can be carried on or checked in. Australia's screening page lists protein powder among organic powders, which have no limit on board. Its limit of 350 mL, 350 g per person is for inorganic powders.
A shaker that is already mixed is a drink: Japan's liquids list has a row for drinks that gives Coffee, Nutrition drinks as examples, and the Japanese version of the list names ドリンク剤 (tonic drinks) too. Creatine or pre-workout stirred into water belongs to that row. The dry scoop in the tub does not.
UK airports may search a bag with powder by hand: GOV.UK does not limit powders in hand luggage. It says food items and powders can obstruct images on x-ray machines, so a bag with a creatine tub may need to be checked again manually by security. Its suggestion is to put powders in hold luggage to minimise delays.
Bringing it into Japan: a food abroad can be a medicine here: This is a customs question, separate from the security check. Japan's health ministry says a product sold abroad as a food, supplements included, can count as a medicine in Japan when it contains a medicinal ingredient or claims a medicine-like effect. For medicines other than prescription drugs, its personal-use amount without paperwork is up to 2 month supply.

Carry-onChecked bag

Powders (protein, powdered medicine)Carry-on: yesChecked bag: yes Vitamins and supplementslimits applyInto Japan Bottled drinksCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: yes

Creatine and pre-workout powder: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in Australia.

Creatine and pre-workout powder: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country

Flying from	Carry-on	Checked bag	What the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation Bureau	Yes	Yes	Creatine and pre-workout powder are not liquids: Japan's liquids list covers liquids, gels, aerosols and anything that cannot keep its shape without its container, and it leaves out powdered items such as powdered soup stock. Source
United StatesTSA	Yes	Yes	Protein or energy powders and supplements are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL go in a separate bin for X-ray screening, and containers may need to be opened.TSA entry: Protein or Energy Powders, Supplements Source
United KingdomUK Government	Yes	Yes	Powders in hand luggage can obstruct x-ray images, so your bag may need to be checked again by hand. You can put them in hold luggage to minimise delays. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASA	With limits	Yes	Protein powder, workout and pre-workout included, can be carried on and checked in. On international flights organic powders such as protein powder have no limit; inorganic powders are limited to 350 mL or 350 g per person in carry-on.CASA Pack Right entry: Protein powder (soy, whey, workout, pre-workout etc) Source

Each row comes from that authority's own page. Airlines can be stricter, and the screening officer has the final say.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bring creatine on a plane?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. Creatine and pre-workout powder are not liquids: Japan's liquids list covers liquids, gels, aerosols and anything that cannot keep its shape without its container, and it leaves out powdered items such as powdered soup stock. A ready-mixed pre-workout or energy drink is a liquid, and on international flights it falls under the 100ml limit. In checked baggage: Yes.

Does a tub of creatine have to come out of your bag at airport security?

In the United States, yes when it is large. The TSA says powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. Japan's liquids list is about liquids, gels and aerosols, and it leaves out powdered items such as powdered soup stock.

Can you take creatine capsules or pills on a plane?

Yes. The TSA lists Supplements as allowed in carry-on and checked bags, with no special instructions. The 12 oz. / 350 mL separate-bin step in the TSA's wording is for powder-like substances, so it is about a tub of loose creatine and not about capsules.

Should pre-workout powder go in checked luggage or carry-on?

Either is allowed. The TSA encourages travellers to place non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in checked bags, and GOV.UK says putting powders in hold luggage can minimise delays. Neither authority bans a pre-workout tub from the cabin.

Can you bring creatine into Japan?

It depends on what the product is. Japan's health ministry does not name creatine. It says a supplement sold as food abroad may be a medicine in Japan if it has a medicinal ingredient or claims a medicine-like effect. Medicines brought for personal use cannot be sold or given to other people.

What is the rule for creatine and pre-workout powder on flights from Australia?

Australia: Protein powder, workout and pre-workout included, can be carried on and checked in. On international flights organic powders such as protein powder have no limit; inorganic powders are limited to 350 mL or 350 g per person in carry-on.

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