Duties on Cigarettes brought into USA

I'm also a traveler and always buy my cigarettes duty free. When I return to the States I always carry as many cartons as I can carry. The first two cartons I always get free. Depending on the which Home Land Security guard I get, they'll not fuss with 4 cartons but, if you go over their personal limit, you will pay for ALL cartons above 2. The fee is a flat $2.50 /ctn which could be a 100% penalty depending on which country you're coming from, that's highway robbery except without the road! Once home I have go to a place like TobaccoTrain.com to continue to receive cartons duty free. CAUTION: When flying in, always fill out the Customs Form COMPLETELY to avoid confiscation or fines.

According to the US Customs and Border protection site last updated on 12/22/09 if you are in the $800 exemption category you may bring back 200 cigarettes or one carton duty free. If you bring back more then you would be subject to 1.5% duty plus local and state taxes. If you have traveled internationally in the past 30 days then you are limite to 50 cigarettes or 5 packs. The allowance is greater if you are traveling to Guam, Samoa and the US Virgin Islands then you can bring back 1,000 cigarettes once every 31 days (5 cartons). However, only a maximum of 200 cigarettes may be purchased outside of Gua,. Samoa or the Virgin Islands. Many people are not aware of the new limitations that went into affect last year. Many of the customs officers are not even aware of the changes but, if you have the kind of luck I do you may end up with the one officer who knows the limits.. It's best to follow the limits so that you aren't forced into the lines to be searched and pay duty.