If you are planning to travel by air and are a regular smoker, you may be wondering if you’ll be allowed to bring cigarettes with you on the plane. Well, the short answer is yes! You can bring cigarettes on a plane. However, there are some rules and regulations that you need to be aware of. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on bringing cigarettes on a plane.
Table of Contents
Can You Bring Cigarettes in Your Carry-On Bag?
Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to bring cigarettes in their carry-on baggage as shown in the image from their website shown below.
Even though cigarettes are allowed in your carry-on bag we should point out that the TSA states that the final decision as to whether they will be let through a security checkpoint rests with the individual TSA officer(s). So it should be pointed out that while it is unlikely, if you are bringing an unusually large number of cigarettes with you or if there is something unusual about the cigarettes you are bringing, it is possible that they might get inspected and not be allowed through security.
Another thing you will notice when looking at the guidance from the TSA you will see that there is no mention of limits in terms of how many cigarettes you may have in your carry-on. This got me wondering if there was really no limit on the number of cigarettes you can bring in your luggage. So while writing this article I reached out to TSA to ask them that question. You can see our correspondence below where they confirmed that there is no limit on the number of cigarettes you can bring with you on a plane for both your carry-on and checked luggage. However, I should point out that this no-quantity limitation policy relates specifically to domestic air travel within the United States.
Just remember that the rules for how many FIX TO ANCHOR cigarettes can you bring on an international flight can be different from domestic flights depending on where you are traveling.
Can You Bring Cigarettes in Your Checked Bag?
Now that we’ve covered whether you can bring cigarettes in your carry-on bag, let’s talk about bringing them in your checked bag. As shown in our correspondence with the TSA and in information from their website, the good news is that the TSA states that you can indeed bring cigarettes in your checked bag. In addition, there are no set limits as to the number of cigarettes you can have in your bag on domestic flights.
However, the rules can be different if you are flying internationally. So if you are planning on any international travel you will want to read the next section where we discuss the potential limitations or restrictions you may encounter on international flights.
Can You Bring Cigarettes on International Flights?
When talking about whether you can bring cigarettes on international flights you will find out that it’s a different ballgame altogether. While it is generally allowed to bring cigarettes with you on international flights, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.
First, it is crucial to check the regulations of both your departure and destination airports, as well as any stopover airports you may have. Most countries have specific limits on the number of cigarettes you can bring, and others may even prohibit the importation of certain brands or types.
When going through Customs and Security Checks, be prepared to declare your cigarettes if necessary. In addition, don’t forget to check the Customs and Duty-Free Allowances for tobacco. You don’t want to have too many otherwise you will be asked to pay a customs duty along with any other applicable taxes or fees.
When in doubt about whether you can bring cigarettes into a country, or the amount of cigarettes they allow, you want to check with the customs agency for the country in question. Here is some information regarding the allowances in some of the most commonly inquired about countries, along with useful links for any further questions you may have:
United States
Customs and Border Protection, which manages entry procedures into the U.S., states that if you are returning to the US, you can bring up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars for personal use. However, if you are traveling from American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), or the Virgin Islands of the United States, you can bring up to 1,000 cigarettes (5 cartons), not more than 200 of which acquired elsewhere than in such locations.
For more guidance on bringing tobacco products into the country, you can visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website where you can read more or contact them directly.
Canada
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), if you are flying to Canada, you can bring up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks.
For more information or questions about bringing cigarettes or other items into Canada, you can contact the Border Information Service, which provides information on CBSA programs.
For questions about what you can bring on Canadian domestic flights, you can reach out to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Mexico
Mexico doesn’t have a specific Border Protection or Border Services Agency making information on what travelers can bring into Mexico harder to find. However, if you search online you will find that on the Mexican Customs Declaration form for passengers entering Mexico from abroad that Mexico allows passengers older than 18 can import a maximum of up to 10 packs of cigarettes (200 cigarettes), 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco.
UK
The tobacco allowance information on the gov.uk website states that you can bring in one from the following list:
- 200 cigarettes
- 100 cigarillos
- 50 cigars
- 250g tobacco
- 200 sticks of tobacco for electronic heated tobacco devices
They go on to say that you can split this allowance. For example, you could bring in 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars (both half of your allowance).
FAQs About Flying with Cigarettes
Now let’s turn our attention to some of the other most commonly asked questions when it comes to flying with cigarettes.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Bring Cigarettes on a Plane?
In many countries, the legal age to buy and use tobacco is 18. However, on Dec. 20, 2019, a new law that modified the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act went into effect. This law, referred to as “Tobacco 21” or “T21”, increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in the United States from 18 to 21 years of age and went into effect immediately. So now, if you’re under 21, it’s illegal for any retailer to sell you tobacco products. This includes items like cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes. This rule applies everywhere and to everyone, with no exceptions. So even though the TSA doesn’t specify a minimum age to bring cigarettes in your luggage, if you’re planning to bring cigarettes onto a plane for a domestic flight, I would plan on needing to be at least 21. If you have questions about the age at which you can bring cigarettes onto a plane you can contact the TSA directly for additional guidance.
As for international flights, the age requirement may vary depending on the airline’s policy and the laws in the destination country. It’s always a good idea to check with the airline or the border agency of the country you’re visiting to ensure you’re in compliance with their regulations.
Can You Bring an Open Pack of Cigarettes on a Plane?
In case you’re curious about whether you can carry cigarettes in an open pack on a flight, or if they need to be in a sealed pack, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can indeed carry an open pack of cigarettes on both domestic and international flights.
So, feel comfortable lighting up before your flight, knowing that you can take the remaining cigarettes in the pack along with you. However, just remember that when it comes to international flights, these rules are subject to individual airline regulations and the laws of the destination country.
Can You Bring Bidis Cigarettes on a Plane?
Bidis are a type of cigarette that is popular in some Asian countries. They are made of tobacco wrapped in a leaf and tied with a string. They can come in different flavors, including chocolate, mango, and mint.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency says that bidis cigarettes are generally not permitted entry despite describing them as being “essentially flavored cigarettes”.
So are bidis the same thing as flavored cigarettes? Well, not really. While bidis are a type of cigarette that is made of tobacco wrapped in a leaf and tied with a string. They come in different flavors, such as chocolate, mango, or mint. Flavored cigarettes are regular cigarettes that have added flavorings, such as menthol, fruit, or alcohol.
Final Thoughts
While yes, you can bring cigarettes on a plane, successfully doing so requires a blend of awareness and adherence to a web of regulations – especially as it relates to traveling on international flights. Hopefully, this article has helped to make to process of flying with cigarettes more clear-cut and less stressful.
If you are a smoker you might also be interested in reading our article about whether or not you can bring matches on a plane.
