The invention discloses a method for rapidly detecting biogenic amine by thin layer chromatography in one step and belongs to the technical field of food analysis and safety. The method disclosed by the invention comprises the following steps: (1) preparing an activated silica gel; (2) preparing an activated thin layer chromatography plate; and (3) analyzing the thin layer chromatography in the biogenic amine in a food sample. The method for rapidly detecting biogenic amine by thin layer chromatography in one step, disclosed by the invention, can be used for rapidly measuring the content of biogenic amine in products such as aquatic products, meat, diary products, pickled vegetables, spirits and esters. Compared with other analytical methods, according to the method, a derivating agent is directly fixed on a medium during activation, and the extracted and purified sample needs not to be derived, is diluted to a calibrated range and can be directly dispensed to be expanded for measurement; moreover, no expensive analytical instruments are required, so that the method is low in expense and simple and rapid to operate, and can effectively lower the monitoring cost in food production and circulation.