Can You Take Cigarettes on a Plane?

Despite the ever-increasing price of cigarettes, smoking doesn’t look like it will be stopping any time soon.

Although you cannot smoke cigarettes on a plane, can you still take them in your carry on baggage or in checked luggage?

The same question applies to other tobacco products including cigars, pipe/rolling tobacco, chewing tobacco and other types of smokeless tobacco.

The Quick Answer: Can you bring cigarettes on a plane? You can take cigarettes on a plane and there are no restrictions on the number of cigarettes or tobacco you can carry with you as far as airport security and airline regulations are concerned. There is a difference between flying domestically and flying internationally as Customs restrictions will apply when flying overseas.

Can you travel with cigarettes on a plane

If you are flying on a domestic flight then you have nothing to worry about as there are no restrictions on the number of cigarettes you can bring.

However, if you are flying on an international flight, then you need to bear in mind that there may be restrictions if you want to bring tobacco products into, or back into, the country with you. See the section below on Customs restrictions for various countries.

It goes without saying, or at least it should, that under no circumstances should you even consider taking any other substances you may smoke of an illegal nature on a flight with you.

If you will be flying out of a UK airport you may find my article “Can you smoke in UK and Irish airports? A full list of airport smoking areas” of interest as smoking laws differ in all countries.

Taking cigarettes in your carry on bag

You are permitted to bring cigarettes through airport security and onto a plane in your carry on luggage.

This is a reply from the AskTSA service on Twitter confirming that cigarettes can be taken on a plane in carry on bags:

Taking cigarettes in checked baggage

TSA rules state that you are permitted to bring cigarettes in your checked baggage.

This is a reply from the Transportation Security Administration to a passenger asking if it is allowed to bring cigarettes in checked luggage:

How many cigarettes can you take on a plane?

When traveling domestically within the US there are no restrictions on the number of cigarettes you can carry in either your hand luggage or your checked baggage.

Can you bring cigarettes on an international fllght?

From a US airport security and airline point of view there are no restrictions on taking cigarettes on an international flight.

However, you must take note of whatever customs restrictions there may be on taking cigarettes into the country you are traveling to.

Customs allowances for cigarettes

If traveling internationally you must consider any customs laws there may be on taking cigarettes into other countries.

Most countries give a duty free allowance but anything over that allowance is likely to be confiscated or you will have to pay duty on them.

All of the following relate to passengers who are 18 years of age or older. You should check on the local authorities’ website to ensure this hasn’t changed.

US Customs

If flying into (or returning to) the US then Customs and Border Protection limits the number of cigarettes you can bring into the country from most foreign countries to 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigars.

You can bring up to 1,000 cigarettes (five cartons) into the country from a few islands ie. the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

UK Customs

If flying into the UK then you can bring:

• 200 cigarettes or
• 50 cigars or
• 100 cigarillos or
• 250g of tobacco

Note: As the UK is no longer part of the European Union customs restrictions apply when traveling into the UK from a country within the EU.

Canadian Customs

• 200 cigarettes or
• 50 cigars or
• 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco or
• 200 tobacco sticks (whatever they are?)

Australian Customs

Australia is more restrictive than many countries as you can only take 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco into the country with you.

Others Countries

Listing the full cigarette allowances for every country in the world is obviously beyond the scope of this article. I suggest you do a search online to find out the limits in your destination country.

Can you take cigars on a plane?

You can take cigars on a plane. Here are some things to consider:

1. Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage: Cigars can be packed in either your carry-on or checked luggage. However, if you’re concerned about preserving the quality of your cigars, it’s advisable to keep them in your carry-on to avoid the potentially harsh conditions of the cargo hold.
2. Humidors: If you’re bringing a travel humidor, it’s also typically fine in both carry-on and checked bags. If the humidor has a built-in cutter or lighter, those items might be subject to specific regulations.
3. International Travel: If you’re traveling internationally, be aware of the tobacco import regulations of your destination country. Some countries may have limits on the number of cigars you can bring in without paying duty or may have other restrictions.
4. TSA and Security: While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S. allows cigars, always check the regulations of the specific country you’re flying from if outside the U.S.

What smoking-related products can you take?

Lighters

You can take cigarette lighters in your carry on or on your person, generally, but not in your checked luggage. You cannot bring torch lighters, arc lighters, electronic lighters or e-lighters. See my full article for full details on what lighters, including disposable and zippo lighters, you can and cannot take – Can you take a lighter on a plane?

Matches

You can take standard safety matches in your carry on or on your person but you cannot bring matches in your checked bags. Strike anywhere matches are strictly prohibited.

Cigar cutters

Cigar cutters must go in your checked bags as they are classed as sharp objects. if you attempt to take them through the security checkpoint it is likely that they will be confiscated by the security agent.

Pipes

Yes you can take your tobacco pipes on a plane but obviously you cannot light them as smoking is banned, which will probably be a relief to those sitting close. Pipe tobacco can also be taken with you.

E-cigarettes

You can bring e-cigarettes, Juul, vape pens and other vaping devices in the aircraft’s cabin with you either in your carry on, in your purse or in your pocket. Smoking them in the aircraft cabin is banned.

You can read the full regulations, which are quite complicated due to them using lithium batteries, here – Can you vape on a plane?

Final words on cigarettes

You can take cigarettes on a plane and there are no restrictions on the number of cigarettes or tobacco you can carry with you as far as airport security and airline regulations are concerned. There is a difference between flying domestically and flying internationally as Customs restrictions will apply when flying overseas.

Other airport security articles

If you found this article useful then you may also wish to read my other smoking-related articles:

Can you bring a Juul on a plane?

Can you bring rolling papers on a plane?

Can you bring nicotine gum on a plane?

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