cigars and international flying

[cls515]

I've never flown international before and I'm wondering about the process of taking cigars with me while I fly overseas. Is it ok to bring a desktop humidor in carryon? And, would the cigars be checked? Would it matter if they don't have bands? Or put Nic or Honduran bands on them?

[JCH]

I've never flown international before and I'm wondering about the process of taking cigars with me while I fly overseas. Is it ok to bring a desktop humidor in carryon? And, would the cigars be checked? Would it matter if they don't have bands? Or put Nic or Honduran bands on them?

Whenever I fly (school to home and back) I just put a travel humidor in my carry-on.

You could check cigars, but at 30,000 feet, that luggage compartment is going to be very, very cold. I wouldn't risk it.

If you've got Cubans, it would probably be best to switch the bands comming into the US. Customs may want to check you and if they find your Cubans, they will be confiscated and you will be put on the list of known smugglers.

Don't forget to put your lighter in your luggage.

[Newfie]

Whenever I've flown to Cuba, I've checked"domestic" cigars in my luggage (Cubans come on as carry-on when flying back from Cuba), with no ill effects at all. Yes, JCH is right, it gets very cold in the luggage compartment at that altitude, but I don't think it's cold enough for long enough to do any damage. I have a couple of travel humis, but I reserve those for bike trips or car trips. When I fly, I use Tupperdors and have had no issues what-so-ever.

Just my $0.02 worth!!

[Shelby07]

I've gotten singled out a couple of times for a customs check coming back from London. I guess I look shady. I usually don't bring anything back.

[cls515]

I've gotten singled out a couple of times for a customs check coming back from London.

I have no intention to bring any ISOMs back. My desktop fits easily into carryon. My question is would my unbanded cigars raise any eyebrows?

Edited for rules.

[Shelby07]

I'm only talking about taking ISOMs out of the country to where I'm flying to. I have no intent of bringing any back. My desktop fits easily into carryon. My question is would my unbanded cigars raise any eyebrows?

Well, probably not, but I don't have experience taking them out, so any opinions I have would be meaningless. But I would imagine you could buy some right away in the duty free shop at the airport when you get to your destination. Just seems like a lot of needless worry at the airport, IMO.

[mauied1101]

One thing to remember is that no matter what you use to carry your sticks, you should have them packed so that they do not roll around while they travel. So if you're using a traveling humi/otterbox, great. If using a tupperdor, etc. put some packaging popcorn, etc. in it to prevent it from accidental movement. - Same goes for shipping!!!

[cls515]

But I would imagine you could buy some right away in the duty free shop at the airport when you get to your destination. Just seems like a lot of needless worry at the airport, IMO.

Yeah, you're probably right. It is just the trip is expensive enough, then add on buying cigars on top of all the other expenses. But I guess picking and choosing in a store would be a new experience. I did a little research and found an awesome hotel with a cigar/bar lounge. By the way, the trip will be marriage/honeymoon related.

[drew_goring]

I thought that the baggage compartment on an airplane was pressurized and heated? If not there would be some unhappy pet owners on the other end. I just stepped off my flight today and my bags were not cold, and all the liquids and pressurized containers were fine.

[JCH]

I thought that the baggage compartment on an airplane was pressurized and heated? If not there would be some unhappy pet owners on the other end. I just stepped off my flight today and my bags were not cold, and all the liquids and pressurized containers were fine.

Pets are in a different section. The baggage section acclimates and changed as the plane descends. It is pressurized as far as I know, but it's still cold.

[Monk]

Pets are in a different section. The baggage section acclimates and changed as the plane descends. It is pressurized as far as I know, but it's still cold.

depends on the flight and plane size as well.

I use a travel humidor similar to an otterbox. I have traveled often to Munich, London or elsewhere abroad with them checked in baggage and never had an issue at the other end.

As for bands, I have no experience with it in the US since I usually fly direct back to Canada and if in the States for work just head to somewhere local and purchase.

-W.

[JCH]

depends on the flight and plane size as well.I use a travel humidor similar to an otterbox. I have traveled often to Munich, London or elsewhere abroad with them checked in baggage and never had an issue at the other end.

As for bands, I have no experience with it in the US since I usually fly direct back to Canada and if in the States for work just head to somewhere local and purchase.

-W.

Of course. I'm just talking in general terms.

Best bet in my opinion would by carry-on luggage. When your cigars are within an arm's reach, it's impossibly for the airline to lose your luggage.

[Monk]

Of course. I'm just talking in general terms.

Best bet in my opinion would by carry-on luggage. When your cigars are within an arm's reach, it's impossibly for the airline to lose your luggage.

Yeah, I just had that experience at the end of Nov. where I went to Munich and they lost my luggage. My cigars showed up a few days later (after many a heart attack). From now on they are definately coming as carry-on :)

-W.

[420seth]

i usually like to carry my smokes on the plane with me. i do think on one trip to cuba that they went down below and were fine. It can't be too cold down there or liquids and shit would freeze. I leave my smokes unopened in their original box and carry them on when possible.