Can You Travel With Cigars? A Complete Guide

No trip is complete without a premium cigar. However, keeping sticks fresh while traveling isn’t simple. There's also the issue of customs laws and taxes to consider.

In this article, we’ll outline how to travel with cigars, highlighting the rules you need to follow. We’ll also provide tips on how to pack your cigars to ensure they’re not damaged during your travels.

Legalities of Traveling With Cigars

The legalities of traveling with cigars change by region. Problems are most likely to arise at your destination rather than the area you are leaving. That’s because different regions have their own rules surrounding cigar imports.  

Nearly all destinations have a maximum duty-free cigar allocation. Try and import more and you can face fines, tax bills, or confiscation. Some areas prohibit the importing of cigars from specific territories, such as Cuba.

Importing Cigars into the US

Can you travel with cigars to the US? Importing cigars that you have bought while abroad is complicated. You are permitted to bring up to 100 cigars into the United States duty-free every 31 days. However, no Cuban cigars or tobacco products can be brought into the US.

Importing Cigars into Canada

For duty-free cigar imports, you’ll only be allowed to bring 50 cigars into Canada. If you wish to import more than 50, they must be declared to border authorities. You’ll be required to pay the correct customs and excise duties. Your cigars must also be marked with the manufacturer’s name and address, or a registered number.

Importing Cigars into the EU

Importing cigars into the EU changes depending on your travel intentions. Regular travelers can bring in up to 50 cigars from outside of the EU without paying duty. If the cigars are for personal use, there’s no set limit to the number you can bring in. However, trying to import more than 800 will likely alert the attention of customs. 

Businesses have to take a different approach, applying for an EORI number. Products need to be classified, and you’ll have to pay the appropriate duty fees and VAT.

Country / Group	From non-EU (air or sea)	From non-EU (land or inland)	Within EU (personal use guide)	Notes
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg	50 cigars	50 cigars	200 cigars	Standard EU allowance applies for most western and northern EU nations.
Portugal	50 cigars	10 cigars	200 cigars	Applies lower land-border allowance for inland arrivals.
Greece, Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia	50 cigars	10 cigars	200 cigars	These countries enforce the reduced “land/sea” limits due to higher cross-border traffic.
Estonia, Romania	10 cigars	10 cigars	200 cigars	Lower limits apply to all travellers regardless of entry type.
Cyprus, Malta	50 cigars	50 cigars	200 cigars	Standard air/sea limits; land routes rarely applicable.
Czech Republic, Slovenia	50 cigars	50 cigars	200 cigars	Standard EU rules apply.

A few things to note:

• The lower limit of 10 cigars may be enforced at land or sea borders in certain Eastern and Southern EU nations.
• For intra-EU travel, there’s no hard cap for personal use, but customs use 200 cigars as a guide to determine if import is commercial.

Can You Bring Cigars in Your Carry-On or Checked Luggage?

In most airports, you’ll be allowed to pack cigars in both your carry-on and checked luggage. It’s recommended that you carry your cigars in your carry-on luggage when possible. This is because you’ll have control over their handling at all times. Checked luggage is often heavily handled, putting your cigars at risk.

Of course, your final decision will be dependent on the space you have available. If you’re taking a large number of cigars with you, your checked luggage may be your only option.

Carry-On Luggage

Can you bring cigars on a plane? In short, yes. Cigars are widely permitted in your carry-on luggage. However, there may be quantity restrictions depending on where you’re traveling from. In fact, you’re more likely to have an issue with taking your lighter onto the plane with you.

The TSA currently permits you to take on disposable and Zippo-style lighters. Torch lighters and arc lighters are not permitted, even in checked luggage. If you’re taking a Zippo-style lighter in your carry-on luggage, it needs to have fuel inside it. Lighter fluid is not permitted in carry-on or checked luggage.

Cutters are often allowed in carry-on luggage, although this depends on the TSA officer. It’s always best to leave cigar cutters in your checked luggage to avoid confiscation.

Checked Luggage

Cigars can be packed in your checked luggage without issue. You should always make sure they are kept in an airtight humidor-style container. If not, you run the risk of the cigars drying out during transit.

If you’re taking them in your checked luggage, make sure your travel humidor is sturdy. You’ll also need to make sure the cigars are packed securely. This will greatly reduce the risk of structural damage while your luggage isn’t with you. Read on for more tips on how to pack your cigars later in the article.

Duty-Free Cigars: What You Need to Know

Duty-free cigars are often sold at international airports or at border crossings. They are exempt from local or national taxes, meaning you can pick them up for lower prices. 

Most regions will have a limit on the number of duty-free cigars you can bring in. Here’s a selection of regions:

• USA: 100 cigars
• UK: 50 cigars/100 cigarillos
• EU: 200 cigars/400 cigarillos
• Australia: Up to 25g of cigars (equivalent to 25 cigarettes)
• Switzerland: 250 cigars
• Brazil: 25 cigars
• China: 100 cigars

Duty-free allowances are based on individuals rather than groups. Each traveler has their own separate allowance, providing they are over the legal age.

If you exceed the duty-free allowance, you’ll have to declare your tobacco upon arrival. You’ll then have to pay tax on the excess amount, or have them taken away from you.

How to Pack When Traveling With Cigars

Not only are cigars fragile, they also need to be kept in the right conditions to stay fresh. This can cause a bit of headache when you’re packing for a trip, especially if it involves a long-haul flight. There are a few ways to ensure your cigars arrive at your destination in good condition.

Use a Travel Humidor

When traveling with cigars, it’s vital to use a travel humidor. These are compact versions of regular humidors that will fit into your luggage. They are often built from hard materials such as plastic or wood to prevent damage. This is especially crucial if you’re packing your cigars into checked luggage.

Travel humidors will often contain a soft foam inside the case. This will hold your cigars in place when your luggage is being moved, preventing damage.

Depending on the model of your travel humidor, they may come with a built-in humidifier. This will ensure your cigars maintain their moisture throughout your trip. If not, you can use a temporary humidifier solution like a Boveda pack.

If you’re only planning on taking one to three cigars on your trip, consider a humidor tube. These will take up less space than a travel humidor, while still doing an effective job.

Don’t Pack Too Many Cigars

Try not to pack more cigars than you plan to smoke on the trip. This will remove the hassle of having to protect and maintain a large number of cigars at once. It will also reduce the replacement costs if the worst was to happen and your cigars are damaged in transit. 

Having fewer cigars on you will also free up space for extra luggage that you may have had to leave behind.  

If you feel as though you’re running low on cigars during your trip, you can always visit a local cigar store.

Pad Your Travel Humidor

To avoid damage, don’t place your travel humidor underneath heavier items. Otherwise, you’ll risk your cigars being crushed. This is especially common when your case is being loaded into the hold.

For best protection, place the humidor between softer items, such as clothing. If you want to be extra careful, you could apply bubble wrap to the humidor’s exterior. Try not to add too thick a layer, however. This could lead to the humidor becoming too warm.

Travel with First Class Cigars

Travel in luxury with a selection of premium-quality cigars. At Swiss Cuban Cigars, we stock a wide range of high-end produce, from Cuba and beyond. We have premium options for all price ranges, so you can keep your travel costs to a minimum.

Browse our extensive selection today to find your ideal travel companion.

FAQs

Can You Bring Cigar Lighters on a Plane?

According to the TSA, you are allowed to bring disposable or Zippo-style lighters onto a plane. However, torch lighters are prohibited in both checked and carry-on luggage.

Can You Bring Cigar Cutters on a Plane?

You can bring cigar cutters onto a plane, but it is recommended that you pack them in checked luggage. This will prevent any potential security issues that result in confiscation.

How Do You Keep Cigars Fresh When Traveling?

To keep your cigars fresh when traveling, place them in a travel humidor. These work in the same way as regular humidors, but they are more compact. They may have built-in humidifiers or require a temporary Boveda humidifier pack.