traveling to the DR next month [need advice]

[Mullet]

I'm going to a resort with my wife in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) in March and was wondering about traveling with cigars.

My main question is about whether to check them or carry them on. Obviously I don't want to run into a nazi customs agent that confiscates them all prior to my arrival, so what's the best way to do this?

I have ZERO experience with taking cigars into another country, i've only brought (smuggled) cigars back with me in the past.

I know not to carry on my Palio or my torch lighter, but I was thinking of taking 20 cigars in a plastic zip lock bag in my carry on bag. Will this be a problem?

Thanks in advance for those of you who reply.

[Cigary]

When I travel internationally I carry a travel humidor with all of my cigars. If they are CC's then you have nothing to worry about,,,they will not be confiscated. If you are going to carry CC's then PM me and I will tell you how to get them thru without any problems. You can take cuttters with you but I print out the TOS report that says you can carry cigar cutters in case you run into a TOS or customs person before you board your flight. Do not take your butane lighter with you,,,it may not get thru. Just get a bic of something like it when you get to your destination.

[DBCcigar]

You should not have any problems at all. When I traveled to Honduras, I took my travel humidor filled and had no problems....

[cruisin66stang]

There should be no problem getting through customs, but the baggage inspectors may pilfer them. I would take them as carry on or lock them up if they are in the suitcase. I've taken my lighter by using an approved travel container. You can buy them on-line or at some B&M's for about $15. You could buy a cheap lighter when you get there or just use matches. Don't expect to find much to buy when you get there and don't even think about buying CC's. They are all fake. The cigar selection and pricing is better here in the states.

[Mullet]

If I check my cutter/butane lighter, will that be a problem?

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by Mullet

If I check my cutter/butane lighter, will that be a problem?

As the brother said above if you check your bags you take the chance of having them pilfered. If you just want to take your butane torch with you you can always purchase one of the devices that are approved for travel but they aren't cheap. As I said before you are better off just buying a cheap torch when you land and I never let my cigars go anywhere without me. You might want to check out what alot of travellers are doing now and that is shipping your bags ahead to your destination,,,hotel and that way when you get to your hotel your bags will be there already and it saves you time and effort from getting on and off the plane. Shipping by Fed Ex to your destination might be a whole lot easier for you and your cigars and torch will arrive without a hassle.

[cruisin66stang]

Checking the cutter is not a problem but the lighter needs to be in an approved travel case. The following link has one for $15.

The Tobacco Barn - Colibri Tranzpack DOT-Approved Lighter Travel Case

[karmaz00]

yeah i put a cutter in my bathroom bag under the plan...however there are some restrictions on lighters...

[Mullet]

thanks guys! I knew I could count on you!

[PerpetualNoob]

The phrase, "Coals to Newcastle" leaps to mind.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by PerpetualNoob

The phrase, "Coals to Newcastle" leaps to mind.

Except when it's virtually impossible to find authentic coals in Newcastle...

[CaptainJeebes]

ive only tried this once, but i put my lighter and cutter in my check bag... maybe in a sock or something. then i put all my cigars in my carry on in my travel humi. I dont want them to get thrown around

[Frinkiac7]

I always just throw my travel humidor in my carryon, that way my gars are with me at all times. Customs won't hassle you. I typically bring a cheap cutter and a disposable butane lighter with me as well, so if they get confiscated it's no loss. And keeping your traveldor with you at all times means none of the workers will tamper with your stuff.

[PerpetualNoob]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

Except when it's virtually impossible to find authentic coals in Newcastle...

I just assumed, perhaps erroneously, that there might already be some cigars there, which the sufficiently motivated visitor would be able to locate, and perhaps even purchase.

[Doogie]

Originally Posted by cruisin66stang

Checking the cutter is not a problem but the lighter needs to be in an approved travel case. The following link has one for $15.

The Tobacco Barn - Colibri Tranzpack DOT-Approved Lighter Travel Case

I travel with this all the time. never had my lighter confiscated.