How much Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) can I bring into United States?
Restricted
You can bring Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) into United States only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Customs Duty Information U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Questions about Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) in United States
- Do I have to declare Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) at United States customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) in United States?
- Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
- Can I post or ship Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) 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, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) out of United States?
- United States publishes no separate rule for taking Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United States limit for Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit) 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 Customs Duty Information. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does United States compare with other countries on Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Cigarettes, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (commercial import, Excise Department permit), 19 limit it and 0 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Customs Duty Information · verified 2026-09-19
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 — Customs Duty Information · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Customs Duty Information · verified 2026-09-19