How many lighters and matches can I bring into United States?

United States allows 1 pack 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 lighters and matches at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 1 pack 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 lighters and matches 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 lighters and matches?

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 lighters and matches 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 lighters and matches out of United States?

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

Does the United States limit for lighters and matches 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 What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage.”

How does United States compare with other countries on lighters and matches?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit lighters and matches, 5 limit it and 14 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

How much Lighters and matches can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Lighters and matches into United States only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 1 pack

What you need to know

1 pack
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
AJet	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

What Can I Bring? Complete List Transportation Security Administration

Questions about Lighters and matches in United States

How many lighters and matches can I bring into United States?: United States allows 1 pack 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 lighters and matches at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 1 pack 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 lighters and matches 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 lighters and matches?: 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 lighters and matches 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 lighters and matches out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking lighters and matches out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for lighters and matches 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 What Can I Bring? Complete List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage.”
How does United States compare with other countries on lighters and matches?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit lighters and matches, 5 limit it and 14 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

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