I'm leaving next week for Italy and would like to pack a box or two of NC cigars. Is it best to pack them in my checked bag or take them on board in my carry on?
[Reply]

I always throw mine in my carry on.
[Reply]

Same here, although I’ve not traveled internationally with cigars.
[Reply]

Don't take a lighter you don't want to loose.
[Reply]

Good point, I travel with a Bic ... occasionally you have to pitch one. I have had good luck with cutters but I still travel with one that works but if it is taken at the airport I can replace it with another $2 cutter that I have lying around.
[Reply]

For me, Bic and matches in carry on.

Cigars in a gallon ziplock bag with Boveda packs; in checked in luggage. I like to put some shock absorbing layers around them. Been good so far.

Suck to lose luggage but not happened yet.

I’m in Long Island right now, brought about 20 cigars.
[Reply]

Jay and Lance are wise.


And you got them through customs? Nice!
Good to hear that the agents at JFK & LaGuardia are still laid back, just like the ones on Maui. :-)


Matches and bic lighters, rules vary from country to country. What you bring in, being a US origin flight, might not be what you can bring on the plane going out. I ran afoul of this leaving Nicaragua, cutter was no problem, bui apparently taking a single box of small wooden matches on the plane is a no-no.

I personally always take my cigars as carry-ons in a hard case. Usually a pelican case for international, rather not lose my Halliburton for whatever reason.

Some European countries restrict the amount of tobacco products you can bring in. More than what they consider "personal consumption" could possibly cost you tariffs or mean confiscations.
[Reply]

Indeed. I actually got escorted out of JFK once. Not cigar related.

Interesting about European countries making a judgement on cigar amounts? Do they offer guidance such as a two box limit?
[Reply]

Was it the carry-on with the live fighting rooster disguised as a cat?

It was a while back, and I got hit my surprise, a couple boxes of PCs and handfull of small tins (petite juliettas) bought in one country was over the limit for another. Played the dumb American, got let off with a warning. Haven't been back simce, so no idea where to look. Maybe customs for that country? Or maybe the airline has info?
[Reply]

It would be a bummer to get any cigars confiscated but a particular bummer for Cubans. Taxes and fees are one thing but not much you can do about confiscation. I suppose it’s an opportunity to see what local cigar shops are to be found?

JFK and TSA … to be clear I’ve nothing but respect for them and think things have come a long ways with screening and processing speed. Now, my issue was mostly due to TSA not understanding some rules. The TSA thought in this case they had the same if not more authority then those coordinating my travel.

In some ways, TSA does have more authority as they can refuse to let me pass and away I go. However, I just being a Schleb move on to wherever I’m told to go next but I do know that for the next three years I was met at the airport by the TSA manager for that airport and personally escorted to make sure things went smoothly.

It was nice. TSA also gave me a nice letter from the TSA director over the starting airport and that helped me when air marshals were called on me.

Things have calmed down since Covid.

I like to think I was helpful in some great DC policy decisions but more likely not even a footnote and still a Schleb.

The cigars I bring are nice :-)
[Reply]

Man, you really do have a way with people there Dave....

:-):-)
[Reply]

Yeah, one of the Marshalls was practically a neighbor apparently. He had a nephew that went to the high school by me. He couldn’t remember the name and wanted me to remind him of the name. Super cool guys.
[Reply]

I have traveled several times internationally, so of them a month+ away with cigars.

I wrap each cigar cellophane with a small piece of paper 1" x 2" so I can find the seam easily when I want to unroll them.

They'll keep humid for about a month. Put cigars into a zip-lock and in your check in luggage.
[Reply]

EU has a limit of 50 cigars duty free, any access is allowed but you have to pay duty. You can find a list here https://www.cigarinspector.com/news/...ces-worldwide/
[Reply]