This month, a Cuban woman living abroad shared a TikTok video revealing a clever travel strategy that many visitors to the island already use: packing the heaviest items in the cabin bag to free up space in checked luggage.
The TikTok user @linetamaro uploaded a 26-second clip on July 3, showcasing the food items she packed in her carry-on before flying to Cuba.
Among the items she brought "on top" were large cheeses sliced in half and vacuum-sealed, popcorn, cookies, coffee, ham, salami, peas, and grated cheese.
"Everything that weighed a lot came with me on top," she explained in the video, summarizing the rationale behind her decision.
Why Travelers Favor Cabin Bags
This approach is far from arbitrary: Cuba's checked baggage limit is two bags of 32 kg each, with excess weight charged at $10 per kilogram, making every gram count financially.
Additionally, in July 2026, Air Europa limited additional baggage to just one extra suitcase per passenger on flights to Havana, citing operational fuel needs to avoid layovers on the return trip. This has increased interest in maximizing cabin bag usage.
Regulations and Allowances
In terms of aviation rules, solid products like cured cheeses, cookies, coffee, popcorn, and canned goods are generally allowed in the cabin on international flights.
Vacuum-packed ham and salami in their original packaging can also be carried in the cabin on flights from Spain or within the European Union, though they are prohibited on flights to the United States.
On the Cuban side, customs regulations since 2021 allow for the importation of food, medicine, and hygiene products as accompanied baggage without value limits or tariffs, as long as they are in original and sealed packaging.
This measure, extended several times, has turned travelers into the primary supply channel for basic goods for their families on the island, a direct consequence of Cuba's chronic shortages after decades of dictatorship.
The TikTok Trend
The "luggage tricks" phenomenon has become a trend on TikTok: in May 2025, another Cuban woman went viral for repacking sweets in airtight bags to maximize space, describing the process as "playing Tetris."
It’s worth noting that the Cuban customs exemption for food applies only to accompanied baggage—meaning when the traveler is on the same flight—and is not valid in tourist hubs like Varadero and Cayo Coco.
For those planning an upcoming trip, knowing which items are permitted in carry-on luggage can mean the difference between arriving with everything the family needs or facing unexpected surcharges at the airport.
Travel Tips for Bringing Items to Cuba
What items can I carry in my cabin bag when flying to Cuba?
You can carry solid items like cured cheeses, cookies, coffee, popcorn, and canned goods. Vacuum-packed ham and salami in original packaging are allowed from Spain or within the EU.
Are there any restrictions on additional baggage on flights to Cuba?
Yes, as of July 2026, Air Europa limits additional baggage to one extra suitcase per passenger on flights to Havana, due to operational fuel needs.
What are the customs regulations for bringing food to Cuba?
Cuban customs allow the import of food, medicine, and hygiene products as accompanied baggage without value limits or tariffs, provided they are in original and sealed packaging.