Traveling from US to Spain with CC's...checked baggage or carry on?

[sbsbsb1]

Subject says it all. I'm leaving for Spain on Saturday and planning on packing some CC smokes with me. Any issue with packing them in my checked bag, or is carry on preferred? I assume no issues with them being Cuban?

[SUP8333]

Why not buy them in Spain where it's much cheaper?

[Havanaaddict]

I would just bring them in my carry-on. You should have no problems. I never have in 20 years and I’ve traveled with 60+ and my Ambassador at a time.

[Lucas Buck]

I would never check cigars. Too many horror stories. Never heard of any problems carrying on. Precious cargo!

[BrightonCorgi]

Doesn't matter if it's carry on or check in. If you are worried about theft in check in, you got bigger problems than just cigars.

I'd go for check in as it's less stuff in my carry on to deal with.  

[chasy]

I carry on, have never had issues. I just assume the temperature, humidity and pressure in the cabin is friendlier than down in the cargo area.

[sbsbsb1]

Thanks everyone...no concerns about TSA in the US not letting me fly out of country with Cuban cigars?

[cigaraholic]

There’s no problem flying out, it’s coming back when you see customs. I always carry on my cigars, don’t like them to be out of my sight 😎

[BrightonCorgi]

I would not count on being able to buy Cuban cigars in Spain. Bring your own cigars.

Your time is limited. Do you want to waste it going everywhere trying to find an estancia that may or may not have anything worth buying. More likely they won't from my experience. 

[BoliDan]

TSA doesn't even check my traveldor on my carry ons. They don't care unless its something possibly dangerous.

[HP2]

My daughter lives in Madrid. I’ve made this trip dozens of times and always put my cigars in my carry on. Customs never checked me once upon arrival. I think you can bring in 50 cigars without triggering a tax. Depending upon what part of Spain you are going to finding Cuban cigars has always been very hit or miss, at least in Madrid. Bring your own. At least you’ll know you’ve got some to smoke. And if you can find some in their estancos that will be a bonus for you. Enjoy your stay. Beautiful country. 

[Stevieboy]

In Madrid recently and the shops were fairly poorly stocked.

I was in 30+ shops and not a single Juan Lopez RE. Lots of the mega expensive stuff though Monte GR etc...One shop even had 11 boxes of Cohiba Novedosos but at €220 per stick, body swerve. A few boxes of HdM ELs, Monte Supremos. The only brands that I saw with any volume were Monte, RyJ, Juan Lopez & Upmann. No Bolivar, Diplomaticos, Fonseca, Punch, SP, RA, VR, SLR....not a stick!

Cheap sticks like Party Mille Fleurs & RG PanX were in abundance especially the latter.

Lots of NCs as most of the big vendors have gone over to them as they'd have to close otherwise. Sad state.

[protekk]

I travel to Portugal every year for 2 months, always through Madrid and always check my cigars. Usually bring a tupperdor with boxed and between 30-40 cigars. Knock wood...never had an issue over the last 20 years.