How many cigarettes can I bring into United States?

United States allows 200 cigarettes per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.

Do I have to declare cigarettes at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 200 cigarettes there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare cigarettes in United States?

Under 19 CFR 148.26, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for cigarettes?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship cigarettes to United States instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take cigarettes out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking cigarettes out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United States limit for cigarettes apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Does the United States rule for cigarettes change depending on where I travel from?

Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from AS, GU, MP, VI.

Where does this rule come from?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16.

Is the cigarettes rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?

This allowance applies to Resident.

How does United States compare with other countries on cigarettes?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigarettes, 17 limit it and 4 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cigarettes can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Cigarettes into United States only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 200 piece

What you need to know

200 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
200 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
All of these allowances apply at the same time and do not share a combined cap.

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.43 -- Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)

Questions about Cigarettes in United States

How many cigarettes can I bring into United States?: United States allows 200 cigarettes per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare cigarettes at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 200 cigarettes there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare cigarettes in United States?: Under 19 CFR 148.26, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for cigarettes?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship cigarettes to United States instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take cigarettes out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking cigarettes out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for cigarettes apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Does the United States rule for cigarettes change depending on where I travel from?: Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from AS, GU, MP, VI.
Where does this rule come from?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16.
Is the cigarettes rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?: This allowance applies to Resident.
How does United States compare with other countries on cigarettes?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigarettes, 17 limit it and 4 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3 g each) Cigars Cigars and other tobacco (by weight) Cuban-origin cigars and other tobacco products Cut/loose tobacco Disposable e-cigarette