cuban cigars??

[Davechipp74]

im being ask by a lot of friends and family to bring back cuban cigars from my upcoming cruise that has ports in columbia, mexico, and costa rica.

i am aware of the 1962 trade embargo on cuba, however i cant be the first one to consider this. does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

[sparks1093]

It is my understanding that US citizens cannot possess them anywhere in the world nor can they be brought into the states regardless of where they are purchased.

[sparks1093]

Here's what CBP has to say about it:

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/restricted/cuban_cigars.xml

[Novastar]

It is possible to buy cuban cigars in Mexico but a word of warning that fake "cuban" cigars are probably more plentiful than the real deal. That being said, as the PP mentioned, it is illegal to bring cuban cigars into the US. Those cute little sniffer beagles at the ports can find them just as well as they can find drugs.

[johnmpcny]

It is my understanding that US citizens cannot possess them anywhere in the world nor can they be brought into the states regardless of where they are purchased.

 

 

your point is? You have to be willing to lie when you go through customs. Many so called Cubans ones are fake. So like smuggling booze your on own and how you deal with the guilt. I take the outlook the whole embargo has punished the people of Cuba and the leadership has remained intact. Then again I do not smoke anyway.

[sparks1093]

your point is? You have to be willing to lie when you go through customs. Many so called Cubans ones are fake. So like smuggling booze your on own and how you deal with the guilt. I take the outlook the whole embargo has punished the people of Cuba and the leadership has remained intact. Then again I do not smoke anyway.

 

No point to be made other than stating my understanding of the law. I can conceive of no circumstance where I would be willing to lie to Customs.

[willise]

I do not believe that you can legally bring Cuban cigars into the US.

 

This certainly has the making of a controversial thread. As a Canadian, I have been to Cuba several times. The people are some of the nicest I have ever met. I do believe, as another poster mentioned, that the embargo from 50 years ago has only hurt the people of Cuba, not the government. The reasons for the embargo have long been forgotten by most and seem quite meaningless in today's world where communist China is such a huge player in the US economy.

[smeyer418]

yes there is a trade embargo and its illegal to for a US national to possess them any where in the world...a stupid rule. When John Kennedy was about to sign the executive order making buying them illegal, he sent his minions out to buy as many Cubans as possible when they came back with a number of boxes he said OK now I can sign the order.

 

I have seen Cuban cigars sold in the US at a cigar store.

 

While I don't condone breaking the law there are a number of places that you can buy Cuban cigars in these countries....but don't charge them. No reason to make it easy for OFAC(office of foreign asset control). Don't buy them from street vendors most of those are fakes.

 

For people who give advice on how to smuggle liquor on board you are being really Officious.

[mickeysgal]

Friends and family wouldn't ask you to deliberately break the law. :rolleyes:

 

Don't even try it.

 

What's the hype with these anyway? Is it worth that much of a risk?

[Davechipp74]

after looking into this some more, and seeing what the fines are, i have decided not to attempt it. i dont smoke cigars, so no worries

[Seanote]

No reason to make it easy for OFAC(office of foreign asset control).

 

I think you need to worry about CBP whose job is to prevent the entry of prohibited items. OFAC has its sights set much higher. Like international terrorism, WMD’s and the international drug trade. One of their strongest tools is the financial system. End up on the OFAC list and you won’t be able to open a bank account, obtain a loan or get a credit card.

Here, you can check to see if you’re on their list. http://sdnsearch.ofac.treas.gov/

[smeyer418]

LOL going on the OFAC prohibited list because you bought Cuban cigars now that is funny....

[Blind Squirrel]

Dave,

 

Here is a long running thread on cigars. On the last page is the most up todate list of reputable cuban cigar dealers. As for bringing them back into the states I have never had a problem bring cigars regardless of where they were made. Depending on which port you go to there are sometime rollers set up rolling custom cigars with no bands on them. There is no way for customs to determine where the cigar came from if you remove the bands. Just remember that 90% of cubans in the carribbean or fake.

[Blind Squirrel]

opps forgot the link.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=905784&highlight=cigar

[Davechipp74]

There is no way for customs to determine where the cigar came from if you remove the bands. Just remember that 90% of cubans in the carribbean or fake.

thank you, this is defiantly something to consider

[Blind Squirrel]

Dave,

I looked at your ports for you up coming cruise. The only one that has a LCDH ( la casa de habano ) is Puerto Vallarta. If you are not familiar with cuban cigars do NOT buy anywhere else. The LCDH's only sell cubans and are licensed by the cuban goverment. If you are worried about getting though customs they will be happy to mail them to your home. The pdf on the last page of the link I provided has directions and an address.

[Davechipp74]

thank you

i saw the post in the link you provided

:)

[vols_159]

isnt it time for this trade embargo with cuba to end.. Cuba is a small little island.. Whose people flee from them seeking a better life in the USA.. also I would like to port in cuba sometime..

[Blind Squirrel]

There is also a price list from the LCDH on St. Martin. I have found those prices to be close to what they are at other LCDH's. However I think the ones in Mexico are a little higher as Mexico has a higher tax on tabacco.

[tdcjerry]

To find the real thing and avoid getting fakes try Cigar Aficienado, they show the real bands and the fake bands, also, people selling fakes on the street will deal with you and the real shops in the malls will not.

[sstrong]

As usual it's not as simple as "rules are rules" or "the law is the law." This company, for one, will ship Cuban cigars to the U.S. in small quantities (limit 2 boxes per order):

 

http://www.cuban-cigars.ws/questions/questions.html

 

It says there is no record of anyone being prosecuted for importing Cuban cigars for personal use but the government has gone after retailers openly selling Cuban cigars in the U.S. This sounds right to me.

 

I'd love to see the statute or regulation that supposedly prohibits U.S. citizens from possessing a Cuban cigar abroad. If it exists it's surely meaningless. There's no remotely plausible way to enforce it or to punish violations. We had no trouble buying Cuban cigars in Argentina earlier this year. We didn't bring any back, but from what I've heard it is not a problem to bring small quantities into the country. As someone pointed out, if you take the wrapper off there's no way to tell where a cigar came from. U.S. customs doesn't have cigar aficionado dogs trained to distinguish between Cuban and Dominican cigars.

 

*****

 

Where do you ship to?

We ship worldwide with guaranteed delivery. This includes the United States with a maximum order of 2 boxes per shipment, unless special arrangements are made. For more information on our guaranteed shipping visit our Shipping & Payments page.

Is it legal to buy Cuban Cigars?

Yes. There has always been a very large business in selling Cuban Cigars to the US. Recently, the US Dept. of Justice modified its original embargo on Cuban products to allow importation of a limited amount of Cuban cigars when returning from a licensed trip to Cuba. This law, in practice, has been expanded by the public and law enforcement to allow the public to import small amounts of up to 2 boxes of Cuban Cigars for personal use. Although there is no law that outlines the ability for a US resident to import Cuban Cigars, of the tens of thousands of customers that are importing Cuban Cigars into the US, there is no record of anyone every being prosecuted for importing an order for personal use. It has become common place with many customers regularly ordering including movie stars, military personal, and even politicians and law enforcement (trust us we know).

That being said, the US government has shown interest and fined businesses located in the US for openly selling large volumes of Cuban Cigars in public view. Customers running businesses selling in hotels or other private settings such as Casinos have experienced little or no problems.

It is worth noting, we do not recommend bringing Cigars back from trips across the border to Canada or Mexico. The border guards have been looking for individuals bringing back large amounts and have a lot of discretionary power to hassle individuals bringing them across, even for personal use. Most people who buy in Canada, ship them home to themselves before they leave, or buy online just to avoid the hassle.

[Beaver1975]

As usual it's not as simple as "rules are rules" or "the law is the law"..........SNIP

 

There is no simple answer, but here is the best one I have found:

 

“Only persons returning directly from Cuba after a licensed visit there

are permitted to bring Cuban cigars into the United States, provided the

domestic value of such cigars does not exceed 100 U.S. dollars and the cigars

are for that person’s personal use and not for resale. Inasmuch as all other

importations of Cuban cigars are illegal, you must assume that all offers to

buy or sell such cigars in the United States involve cigars that are imported

illegally. Contrary to what many people believe, it is illegal for travelers

to bring into the United States Cuban cigars acquired in third countries (such

as Canada, England, or Mexico).”“It is illegal for U.S. persons to buy, sell, trade, give away, or

otherwise engage in (or offer to engage in) transactions involving

illegally-imported Cuban cigars. The penalties for doing so include, in

addition to confiscation of the cigars, civil fines of up to $50,000 per

violation and, in appropriate cases, criminal prosecution which may result in

imprisonment.”“We recognise that the prohibitions that apply to Cuban cigars may

deprive many consumers of a sought-after product. However, these prohibitions

apply to all goods of Cuban origin and are an important element of the

comprehensive program of economic sanctions against the Cuban government which

have been in place since 1963.These sanctions have had the full support of the

past seven Administrations and were further tightened by President Clinton in

August 1994.”

Pretty strong stuff, and pretty clearly worded.

To hear it again in the U.S. Custom’s service’s own words, read their own

press release at: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/cigars.htm.

Note also that since 1994 it has been illegal for anyone, even foreign

nationals to bring in any quantity of Cuban cigars – even for personal

consumption. (Prior to 1994 foreign nationals were allowed to import cigars for

personal use only. This loophole is now closed.)

Here’s what it says in the U.S. Customs service’s “Customs

Regulations for Non-Residents”…

“You may include in your personal exemption not more than 200 cigarettes

(one carton) or 50 cigars, or 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of smoking tobacco, or

proportionate amounts of each. An additional quantity of 100 cigars may be

brought in under your gift exemption. NOTE: Cigars of Cuban origin are

generally prohibited entry, even for personal use.“

The Trading with Enemy Act…

Still have doubts? Here’s one of the specific regulations governing the

importation of Cuban products.

 

Trading with Enemy Act, 50 USC App5(b)The Cuban Asset Control RegulationCode of Federal Regulations, section 515.101 et seq.

vol. 19“The purchase, importation, transportation or otherwise dealing with

merchandise outside the US if that merchandise is: (1) of Cuban origin; (2) is

or has been located in or transported through Cuba; (3) is made or derived in

whole or in part from articles which are the growth, produce, or manufacture

of Cuba, is illegal and punishable by a fine of not more than $50,000 or

Imprisonment of not more than 10 years.” “A transaction between a US citizen within the US and his agent, home

office, branch, or correspondent outside the US is prohibited as if he made

the transaction. Gifts of Cuban origin, whether acquired by US citizens abroad

or brought into the US by another to be given as a gift within the US is

prohibited unless liscensed by the Office of Foreign Assests Control at the US

Department of the Treasury.”

“The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the US Treasury Department

require that persons subject to US jurisdiction be liscensed to engage in any

transaction related to travel to, from, through, and within Cuba. Liscenses

are *not* granted for business and tourism. This restriction includes travel

to and from Cuba through a third party (such as Canada or Mexico, for

example).” “The Treasury Department will consider liscenses on a case-by-case

basis.”

Whew! The bottom line is that it is only legal to possess Cuban cigars if

they were obtained through legal channels (brought back for personal consumption

from a licensed visit to Cuba seems to be the only way), and then you’re only

allowed $100 domesticvalue. What defines “domestic Value in a

commodity which can’t be bought or sold domestically? The general concensus is

that under the above exception you may bring back 50 cigars (2 boxes) maximum

from an authorized trip to Cuba.

[Davechipp74]

thank you for all the replies, some great info

i now know where to obtain real cuban cigars, and should they have no labels on them, they happen to be "dominican sir"

:p:D

[mpk218]

thank you for all the replies, some great info

i now know where to obtain real cuban cigars, and should they have no labels on them, they happen to be "dominican sir"

:p:D

 

;) Thatsn right , no lable no Cuban .

 

Tampa happens to be full of Cuban cigars ;)

[Beaver1975]

So with all of this information provided to you, it still boils down to "What can I get away with"?

 

John