Packing cigars for vacay...

[ElJavi76]

Hey gents,

So I leave for Atlantis in the Bahamas in two days. I started pulling things in pairs out of my humidors to smoke out there. Before I knew it I had enough cigars to fill a dress box. I tend to over-pack on clothes and shoes wherever I go. I'm a man of choices and prefer having options. 

Do you do the same? (Not so much on the loafers but more on the subject of cigars.) Have you ever had issues entering or leaving countries with say 30-40 CC's in tow?

Curious to hear how you all do it. I know Atlantis has nothing to offer me I'm the CC market. I've read about fakes being sold inside their Casino shop. I'll pass. 

Cheers,

Javi

[cigaraholic]

I always take way more than I think I need....because I need them...think 3 a day...at least!....plus friends you might make.

Never had a custome issue......while traveling ?

[Habana Mike]

yeah, should be no issue with customs on either end these days. Definitely pack more than you think you'll smoke, trust me....

[ElJavi76]

That's part of my logic... Might make a friend and be compelled to share a stick. Plus packing a bunch of vitolas is good for different time constraints. 

Do the guys that travel to Cuba bring their own smokes too, or is that like bringing sand to the beach? LoL

[SMQQKIN]

This will get it done (50 to 80 sticks) unless I am going away for a month. 

[Habana Mike]

4 minutes ago, ElJavi76 said:

That's part of my logic... Might make a friend and be compelled to share a stick. Plus packing a bunch of vitolas is good for different time constraints. 

Do the guys that travel to Cuba bring their own smokes too, or is that like bringing sand to the beach? LoL

Some so bring aged stuff to smoke. Hard to find many with much age down there.

Always a good idea to have at least a couple on hand in case you get in late and can't find any at the moment.

Is a bit like bringing sandwiches to a banquet though.....

[ElJavi76]

13 minutes ago, SMQQKIN said:

This will get it done (50 to 80 sticks) unless I am going away for a month. 

Where do you buy this thing? Won't do me much good unless it's available on Amazon. Might be able to prime that puppy before I go. Otherwise, might look to get something like this for next time I travel.

[Fuzz]

I'll be taking the bare minimum with me when I go to the States and Cuba in Oct/Nov. We lucky buggers in the land of Oz get to be taxed again for cigars upon returning, even if they already had the duty paid previously.

Though, if you are nice to the Customs officer (and he's having a good day), he may accept that your cigars were purchased in Aus and you already paid the duty. He only charged me for the bundle of cigars bought in Cuba. Guess I got lucky that time, as I had declared cigars and the bundle was wrapped up (the others were loose in my travel case)

[Habana Mike]

39 minutes ago, ElJavi76 said:

Where do you buy this thing? Won't do me much good unless it's available on Amazon. Might be able to prime that puppy before I go. Otherwise, might look to get something like this for next time I travel.

https://www.amazon.com/Xikar-50-80-Cigar-Travel-Humidor/dp/B004061BGC/ref=pd_sbs_121_53?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004061BGC&pd_rd_r=2f6c8336-8321-11e8-88f0-530297bd69ef&pd_rd_w=VDjDu&pd_rd_wg=k8cPD&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=5825442648805390339&pf_rd_r=8K3BPFJ3XS4QQPVRFC81&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=8K3BPFJ3XS4QQPVRFC81

 

[HabanosNJGuy]

I always bring a fully loaded 10-count Xikar travel case as it easily fits in my carry on.  I've never had an issue with security or customs but I rarely travel outside the US.

https://www.amazon.com/Xikar-Cigar-Travel-Carrying-Count/dp/B001CZF1ZG/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1531106004&sr=8-9&keywords=xikar&th=1

[PapaDisco]

I've crossed borders many time with 2-3 dress boxes (50-75 cigars) and have never been stopped.  This is entirely in the U.S. and in Asia (ex-China).  Maybe I'm just lucky.  

[ElJavi76]

6 hours ago, HabanosNJGuy said:

I always bring a fully loaded 10-count Xikar travel case as it easily fits in my carry on.  I've never had an issue with security or customs but I rarely travel outside the US.

https://www.amazon.com/Xikar-Cigar-Travel-Carrying-Count/dp/B001CZF1ZG/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1531106004&sr=8-9&keywords=xikar&th=1

Yeah, I've got a 5 count hard case and a 2 finger hard case, a three finger leather case, and a two finger leather case. But we all know a dozen stix won't get me thru 5 nights. A friend might let me borrow a 15 count hard case like the one pictured. That'll make things easier. 

In Cuba, do folks buy boxes and also loosies at the LCdH's? I'd hate to buy boxes and break them up right away. Also, bringing back boxes with a few missing cigars could make the voyage a bit rough, no? I guess in November I'll be taking stuff I know I won't find at LCdH's, which these days might be a bunch of stuff. LoL

[havanaclub]

Javi, I always bring a 10 count hard travel humidor stocked with me in Cuba. Plus a Tupperware with extras that I just fill up and use Kleenex to make sure nothing moves around. I like to bring my own as you never know the stock at resorts (Cuba etc)and could be wet as hell. I have heard about the fakes in Bahamas too.
Never had an issue coming back with a few extras, and I also buy some loose singles and toss back into the travel case.
I like to bring my cigars on trips even to Cuba and save my cash to buy boxes and I don’t smoke from them until I get home.
Have a great trip buddy.
Btw check out Xikar or cigar caddy cases.


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[Lingerfing]

I have the Pelican 1200 case with the "Pick n' Pluck" foam insert. Was really easy to pluck out a couple partitions and fits plenty of sticks. Can't go wrong.

Pelican 1200 Case With Foam (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002INQT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ad1qBbZXA1AYM

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[BrightonCorgi]

Travelling for work, I can go two weeks with a carry on bag...

My preferred solution for travelling cigars is not elegant, but works like a charm...  Roll each cigar in Saran Wrap.  Fold over the edge at the end several times or put a small piece of paper at the end of the roll to make it easier to unroll the cigars.  Your cigars will be fine to smoke for a few weeks and having them wrapped makes it easy to just grab a cigar on the go. 

[ElJavi76]

36 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Travelling for work, I can go two weeks with a carry on bag...

My preferred solution for travelling cigars is not elegant, but works like a charm...  Roll each cigar in Saran Wrap.  Fold over the edge at the end several times or put a small piece of paper at the end of the roll to make it easier to unroll the cigars.  Your cigars will be fine to smoke for a few weeks and having them wrapped makes it easy to just grab a cigar on the go. 

Very unique technique here BC. I took my stix out last week and added them to the dress box I'm traveling with in hopes that they'll dry out a little. But if you're away a few weeks at a time I could see how your way works for you. 

[joeypots]

I usually bring a few tubed cigars. I've saved a few dozen tubes over the years and just re use them. I do have a Xikar 10 count travel box but find the tubes easier to deal with. I am bringing less stuff each trip I take. For skiing I  make a list of what I've used when I get home so I know what to bring next time.  For a week skiing I've got a checked bag down to about 30 lbs from 50lbs. Plus skis and boots. Lighter is better for me.

[Shunamaji]

I always bring more smokes than I think I need.

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[Joeysmoke]

21 hours ago, Fuzz said:

I'll be taking the bare minimum with me when I go to the States and Cuba in Oct/Nov. We lucky buggers in the land of Oz get to be taxed again for cigars upon returning, even if they already had the duty paid previously.

Though, if you are nice to the Customs officer (and he's having a good day), he may accept that your cigars were purchased in Aus and you already paid the duty. He only charged me for the bundle of cigars bought in Cuba. Guess I got lucky that time, as I had declared cigars and the bundle was wrapped up (the others were loose in my travel case)

Forgive the naivety - there's absolutely no exemption on tobacco when returning back to Australia???

[Fuzz]

47 minutes ago, Joeysmoke said:

Forgive the naivety - there's absolutely no exemption on tobacco when returning back to Australia???

25g of tobacco is the duty free limit (2 cigars). You are allowed one unopened pack of cigarettes and one open pack. If you go over, you are taxed on the full weight of tobacco. You can bring in up to 1.5kg of smokeless tobacco (chewing or snuff), for personal use, but will be charged duty on the full amount. You need a permit for more than 1.5kg of chewing tobacco or snuff.

[Joeysmoke]

1 hour ago, Fuzz said:

25g of tobacco is the duty free limit (2 cigars). You are allowed one unopened pack of cigarettes and one open pack. If you go over, you are taxed on the full weight of tobacco. You can bring in up to 1.5kg of smokeless tobacco (chewing or snuff), for personal use, but will be charged duty on the full amount. You need a permit for more than 1.5kg of chewing tobacco or snuff.

Oh man. That sucks. I'm truly sorry to hear that.

[mi000ke]

Have traveled 100s of times with cigars over the past 40 years, and always try to bring more than I think I'll smoke - and I usually end up smoking them all anyway. I plan on two a day plus a few for friends and visitors.   I now travel to Cayman islands a few times a year, sometimes for more then 3 months at a time, and the gars are bloody expensive there.  I have never had a problem getting into any country with my stash. The limit in Cayman is 250g of tobacco products (about 20-25 cigars) but I figure if i'm traveling with my wife we get double that. Anyway, I declare them at the limit, but have never been stopped or checked in any of the many countries I've visited. I pack them in a tupperware container with a Boveda pack and usually some bubble wrap to keep them from moving around.  And they keep well in the tupperdor while I'm on the road. 

[Habana Mike]

11 hours ago, mi000ke said:

Have traveled 100s of times with cigars over the past 40 years, and always try to bring more than I think I'll smoke - and I usually end up smoking them all anyway. I plan on two a day plus a few for friends and visitors.   I now travel to Cayman islands a few times a year, sometimes for more then 3 months at a time, and the gars are bloody expensive there.  I have never had a problem getting into any country with my stash. The limit in Cayman is 250g of tobacco products (about 20-25 cigars) but I figure if i'm traveling with my wife we get double that. Anyway, I declare them at the limit, but have never been stopped or checked in any of the many countries I've visited. I pack them in a tupperware container with a Boveda pack and usually some bubble wrap to keep them from moving around.  And they keep well in the tupperdor while I'm on the road. 

As I recall, Cayman has 100% duty on any tobacco or alcohol over the limits. Basically have to pay for it twice!

Mandana and I transited through GC back from Havana a couple years ago. Both had 300+ stick and a few bottles of rum. Mike went and declared at the Customs desk and paid a small sum as I believe they were being fair since we were just overnighting. I went through the green line and when they asked had I any I stated a few boxes and bottles that were going home with me in the morning.

They looked through my bags and let me through with no duties though they did keep 2 boxes and 2 bottles in bond overnight which I had to pick up on the way back out.

Agreed cigars and pretty much everything else are expensive in the Caymans. We were there on the way in for the Pirate festival and that was pretty cool!

[ElJavi76]

Just to give you guys an update...

On my way into Bahamas I was asked if I was bringing any alcohol, fruit, and then she asked are you bringing any tobacco. 

Call me crazy, and maybe reckless, but with about 35+ cigars in my backpack I looked the lady in the face and calmly said Nope! My wife turns to me after we cleared customs and says you're crazy. 

On the way out, in the Bahamas you clear US customs there. I had been there 10 years ago and don't recall that being the case then. It's awesome tho cause if you've been thru customs at JFK before, it's not good. The US customs agent asked me about everything but never asked about tobacco. Leading me to believe that either Bahamas is looking to tax tobacco you bring in or God knows what. 

Have any of you heard that question while entering a different country?