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.
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.
Limits 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You Can Also Bring Cigarettes
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.
As Well As a Lighter and Matches
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.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
