How many cigars can I bring into United States?

United States allows 100 cigars 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 cigars at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 100 cigars 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 cigars 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 cigars?

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 cigars 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 cigars out of United States?

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

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

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

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. The sentence it rests on reads: “No more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars may be included”

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

This allowance applies to Resident.

How does United States compare with other countries on cigars?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigars, 15 limit it and 6 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cigars can I bring into United States?

Restricted

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

Extra conditions apply

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 100 piece

What you need to know

100 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
50 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
100 piece
Value cap: 100 USD
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 Cigars in United States

How many cigars can I bring into United States?: United States allows 100 cigars 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 cigars at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 100 cigars 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 cigars 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 cigars?: 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 cigars 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 cigars out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking cigars out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for cigars apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
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. The sentence it rests on reads: “No more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars may be included”
Is the cigars rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?: This allowance applies to Resident.
How does United States compare with other countries on cigars?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigars, 15 limit it and 6 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

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