How much cut tobacco can I bring into United States?
- Official classification
- Cut/loose tobacco
Restricted
You can bring cut tobacco into United States only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- 2000 gram (70.55 oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- Extra conditions apply
- Only one of these allowances can be used per trip.
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Questions about Cut or loose tobacco in United States
- How much cut tobacco can I bring into United States?
- United States allows 2000 grams of cut/loose tobacco 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 cut tobacco at United States customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 2000 grams of cut/loose tobacco 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 cut tobacco 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 cut tobacco?
- 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 cut tobacco 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 cut tobacco out of United States?
- United States publishes no separate rule for taking cut tobacco out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United States limit for cut tobacco 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 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco”
- Is the cut tobacco rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?
- This allowance applies to Non-resident.
- How does United States compare with other countries on cut tobacco?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cut tobacco, 11 limit it and 9 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR Part 148 — Personal Declarations and Exemptions · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 145.31 Importations not over $800 in value · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 145.31 Importations not over $800 in value · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages · verified 2026-09-16