Hi all, I have a quick question for those who have flown with tobacco. I have a friend bringing me some tobacco from the US and they will not be checking their bag. Airport security isn't in the habit of opening tins or anything like that, are they? This should be fine, right?
Airport Security
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Flying with pipes and tobacco :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion
I know there are posts about this but many are years old. In a few days we will be taking a plane from Chicago to New Orleans. I know, no sharp objects, no torch lighters. I want to bring my combo pouch, with 2 pipes, filled with Carter Hall. I was re thinking it, debating bringing two unopened...
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See the Canadian customs site for tobacco - They are pretty clear. You can bring 5 'units' of tobacco into the country exempt from taxes or duty fees. One unit is 200g of 'manufactured tobacco'.
I've inadvertently snuck it in before as I had 5 bags of 250g of germains/G&H from the uk all in my luggage. But I would have had quite a high duty fee to pay if it was found.
I've inadvertently snuck it in before as I had 5 bags of 250g of germains/G&H from the uk all in my luggage. But I would have had quite a high duty fee to pay if it was found.
I’m currently trying to figure this out myself. Moving to Eastern Europe in a couple months and trying to discern the best way to bring the most tobacco possible.
I neglected to mention in my previous post (damn this lack of a post-editing feature), but yes... they may ask you to crack open tins or open bags if it's inspected. If you're going to bring a bunch in, it's best to bring bulk stuff if you hate the idea of a tin being opened.
I’ve traveled internationally on a few occasions with pipe and tobacco in my carry-on luggage. Never had any issues. Not so much as a second look. YMMV
As far as quantity, you probably will want to follow the customs regs for the countries you will be visiting. It’s uncomfortable to be nabbed.
As far as quantity, you probably will want to follow the customs regs for the countries you will be visiting. It’s uncomfortable to be nabbed.
The country I’m headed states you can bring 250g. Looks like my wife will also have 250g in her luggage.
If that is the case do not indicate you are traveling with family on the forms.
I travel internationally a lot and have never had a problem bringing tobacco with me. I did on one occasion have an armed Peruvian soldier escort me to the baggage station and ask me to open my bags. He then pointed to my pipe pouch and had me open it. He smelled it and with disdain said, “It’s tobacco.” I sealed up my baggage and went back to the airport.
Bureaucratic changes and even the recent news can have an effect on airport security. In general, if you are carrying a limited number of tins or other "units," up to a half dozen or so (?) I'd guess you'd be okay in most airports. If it is anything that looks like it might be for re-sale, most of a suitcase full or a duffle with dozens of tins, then they might lower the boom, both for tobacco taxes and suspecting potential contraband, non-tobacco illegal substances being disguised in tobacco tins. But a particularly harsh security group could raise hell with anything. I once had to unpack a harmonica that looked like it might be a pistol clip, those little reed chambers lined up neatly on the x-ray, and metal too.
Customs regulations mean nothing in real life... 40 years ago I spent 18 hours in the US Customs building between Reynosa, Tamps, Mexico and McAllen, Texas, USA (a good portion of it in handcuffs). At the time US customs regulations stated that you could bring in 2 cartons of cigarettes tax free and buy federal tax stamps for any excess. (which avoids the state tax). I arrived with 20 cartons of cigarettes which I legally declared and stated my willingness to pay the excise on the excess. Then the problems started - The required tax stamps simply didn't exist... Customs insisted they were going to destroy the "contraband" that was in my possession - I insisted that I would use whatever force was necessary to prevent the theft of my property. This continued through 3 shifts of personnel - each time I was required to start over. Eventually I was escorted to the entry point and allowed to return to Mexico with the excess which I sold back to the retailer (at a huge loss) I had to pay entry and exit fees a second time to accomplish this task. I filed complaints with every federal agency that I could to no avail. The government does whatever it wants...
ps. That's when the FBI opened it's file on me...
ps. That's when the FBI opened it's file on me...
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I once had Greek security pointing guns at me whilst I was told to open my hand luggage in Athens. Seems a fountain pen, small card security device (issued by my bank to generate secure codes for online use) and a memory stick aligned themselves and looked like a pistol (I remember seeing the image on the screen as I was doing this and thinking "where the hell has that come from?").
The sense of relieve all-round when they lowered their weapons was amazing; fortunately I still had time to get to the business lounge and down a couple of very large stiff drinks afterwards!
Just don't pat the dogs. You'll be fine. I got yelled at for saying "Who's a good boy!"
Mrs Cosmic and I returned from a gem show in Tucson with a huge amount of rocks and lapidary slabs. When we got home our luggage had so much red tape and yellow stickers on it from TSA searching our luggage that people were giving us a wide berth all the way to the parking deck. It was obviously searched at each airport. As far as tobacco, I’ve never had a problem within the US. In college, we flew back from the Netherlands with as many packages of Drum tobacco as we could. It raised a few eyebrows, being a group of 20 year olds. But, Drum wasn’t sold in the US yet at that time.
Thanks, everyone. I am not so much worried about the amounts or customs upon entry. They will bring me an amount that is allowed. I was mostly worried about the x-ray not being able to tell what the tin was and wanting it opened. I'll be searching for jars if that is the case.
You should be fine in tins. If you're worried, get a big fat marker and write "NOT DRUGS OR OTHER CONTRABAND" on the tins so they will know its only harmless tobacco.