If you’re a cigar aficionado, you no doubt want to know what all the rules surrounding bringing cigars on a plane are.
According to TSA regulations, you are allowed to bring cigars on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
But there is a lot more you need to know, including the limits and restrictions when flying internationally, if you can bring Cuban cigars back to the U.S., how to best pack your cigars for flying, and more.
How Many Cigars Can You Bring on a Domestic Flight?
If you are flying domestically within the USA, there is no limit to how many cigars you can bring on a plane.
You can pack the cigars in both your carry on and checked bags.
How Many Cigars Can You Bring When Flying Internationally?
How many cigars you can bring with you when flying internationally depends on where you are flying from and where you are flying to.
The tax and duty-free allowance on cigars for some of the most popular destinations is as follows:
- USA: If flying domestically, there is no limit to how many cigars you can bring on a plane. If returning to the USA, you are allowed to bring back a maximum of 100 cigars.
- Mexico: You are allowed to bring a maximum of 50 cigars into Mexico.
- UK:You are allowed to bring a maximum of 50 cigars into the U.K.
- EU: If arriving from another EU country, you can bring a maximum of 200 cigars. If arriving from outside the EU, including from the USA, you can bring a maximum of 50 cigars.
- Canada: You are allowed to bring a maximum of 50 cigars into Canada.
Can You Bring Cuban Cigars Back Into the U.S.?
There’s a lot of confusion about if you can bring Cuban cigars back into the USA, with many websites showing inaccurate information.
While the embargo on Cuban cigars was lifted for a short while, since September 24, 2020, you are no longer allowed to return to the United States with alcohol and/or tobacco products acquired in Cuba.
If you want to enjoy a Cuban cigar, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency state that:
- Persons authorized to travel to Cuba may purchase alcohol and tobacco products while in Cuba for personal consumption in Cuba.
Persons subject to United States jurisdiction may purchase or acquire Cuban-origin merchandise, including alcohol and tobacco products, while in a third country for personal consumption outside the United States.
In other words, if you travel to Cuba or buy a Cuban cigar anywhere else outside the USA, you can smoke Cuban cigars to your heart’s content, but don’t bring them back when you return to the U.S.
How to Pack Cigars for Air Travel
Cigars are fragile and react to moisture and temperature changes, so you want to follow a few guidelines when packing your cigars for flying.
- Use a cigar travel case, travel humidor or even Tupperware container or Ziploc bag with a humidor pack.
- Make sure you pack your cigars somewhere where they won’t roll or bounce around too much.
- Ideally, pack cigars in your carry on, as they will undergo less temperature and atmospheric fluctuations.
- Pack your cigar cutter in your carry on instead of checked bag.
Can You Bring a Cigar Cutter on a Plane?
The TSA state that you are allowed to bring cigar cutters on a plane, though recommend packing them in your checked baggage.
This is because, even though allowed, a cigar cutter is a sharp object that a TSA officer may decide is not allowed through.
The final decision as to what you can and can’t bring always rests with the TSA officer.
Can You Bring Cigarettes on a Plane?
According to TSA regulations, you can bring cigarettes on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, with no quantity limit if you are flying domestically, though restrictions apply if you are flying internationally.
Can You Bring Matches on a Plane?
If you’re wondering if you can bring matches on a plane, the TSA state that you are forbidden from bringing any type of matches in your checked bags.
However, you are allowed to bring a single box of safety matches in your carry on bags.
Can You Bring a Lighter on a Plane?
The TSA state that you can bring a lighter on a plane.
You can pack both disposable and Zippo lighters in your carry on bags.
However, if you are a cigar smoker, you likely use torch lighters, which are forbidden in both your carry on and checked bags.
Can You Bring a Humidor on a Plane?
You are allowed to bring both a humidor and humidor packs on a plane.
We recommend buying a travel humidor or humidor packs.
Robert is an expert in commercial air travel with decades of experience in the travel industry, and has spent countless hours in airports and on planes for work.
Robert therefore has an unrivaled understanding of everything related to commercial air travel, and has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, such as Insider, Trip Savvy, ZDNet, and Bored Panda, showcasing his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field.
