Cuban cigars into USA?
Mar 14, 2007, 5:22 pm
#1
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Cuban cigars into USA?
Might be a dumb question, but what exactly is the deal with bringing cuban cigars into the USA?
I managed to find this quote:
(Bolding mine)
All be it from the US Embassy in Uruguay Customs site.
So what the heck do they mean by generally?
And do they just get confiscated or do I get locked up and/or fined if box should happen to have fallen into my bag?
I managed to find this quote:
Tobacco Products
You may include in your personal exemption not more than 200 cigarettes ( one carton) or 50 cigars or two kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of smoking tobacco, or proportionate amounts of each. An additional 100 cigars may be brought in under your gift exemption.
Cigars of Cuban origin are generally prohibited entry, even for personal use. Please check with the Customs attaché at the American Embassy if you have any questions on this subject.
You may include in your personal exemption not more than 200 cigarettes ( one carton) or 50 cigars or two kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of smoking tobacco, or proportionate amounts of each. An additional 100 cigars may be brought in under your gift exemption.
Cigars of Cuban origin are generally prohibited entry, even for personal use. Please check with the Customs attaché at the American Embassy if you have any questions on this subject.
All be it from the US Embassy in Uruguay Customs site.
So what the heck do they mean by generally?
And do they just get confiscated or do I get locked up and/or fined if box should happen to have fallen into my bag?
Mar 14, 2007, 6:32 pm
#2
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My husband was given a gift of a box of Cuban cigars by a friend.(captain of a ship we had sailed from Mombasa to Seychelles). We had been traveling from the Seychelles and had been in transit nearly 24 hours. Had to connect in DFW for our flight to LAX. Arrived at DFW (Xmas eve), customs guy searched our bags, came up with the box of cigars...pulled over a trash can and systematically destroyed each cigar and threw them in the trash. It wasn't pretty. Husband explained that they were a gift; no dice. 
Mar 14, 2007, 6:37 pm
#3
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that is why you should fly into ORD. they dont have xray scans or anything at customs. you just get waved through if you check "no" to everything on the form. you could bring back a cow!
Mar 14, 2007, 7:06 pm
#5
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The " generally" means that under some circumstances you are allowed to bring Cuban cigars back into the US.
For example if you visit Cuba on 'legitimate business' say as a member of a sports team or another example would be a University cultural exchange and can prove that the cigars were actually bought in Cuba you will be allowed to bring them back.
Cuban cigars bought in any other country or provided by any other source are not allowed.
mike
For example if you visit Cuba on 'legitimate business' say as a member of a sports team or another example would be a University cultural exchange and can prove that the cigars were actually bought in Cuba you will be allowed to bring them back.
Cuban cigars bought in any other country or provided by any other source are not allowed.
mike
Mar 14, 2007, 7:08 pm
#6
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Mar 14, 2007, 7:13 pm
#7
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Just out of curiosity, how big was the box, and what prompted the search? Friends of mine have smuggled in Cuban cigars at times, and it usually involves stuffing them in boots/shirts/socks, etc. None of them ever had a problem. How'd it happen?
Mar 14, 2007, 7:24 pm
#8
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The box was just a cigar box. Have no idea why we were selected for baggage search. BTW, it isn't that my husband was about to take an undue risk for bringing in his gift of Cuban cigars. He is perfectly happy smoking Dominicans.
Mar 14, 2007, 7:34 pm
#9
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Not my choice of words
It's called trading with the enemy.
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...l/eo/12854.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...ba/ccigar2.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...l/eo/12854.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...ba/ccigar2.pdf
Mar 14, 2007, 8:31 pm
#10
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In the new millennium, 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. Effective 2007, however, the United States has once again made it illegal for US nationals to purchase or consume Cuban cigars, in Cuba, or elsewhere, whether licensed or not.
Mar 14, 2007, 8:31 pm
#11
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I'm certainly not an expert - I smoke maybe a cigar per month these days - but I honestly can't tell the difference between a good Cuban and a good Dominican. Is it possible that Cubans are in demand more because they are contraband than because they are really superior? Aren't a lot of Dominican growers actually Cubans who fled - with their seeds - in 1959?
Mar 14, 2007, 11:52 pm
#12
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It's called trading with the enemy.
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...l/eo/12854.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...ba/ccigar2.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...l/eo/12854.pdf
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...ba/ccigar2.pdf
Transactions Involving Cuban-Origin Goods in Third
Countries
The question is often asked whether United States citizens
or permanent resident aliens of the United States may
legally purchase Cuban origin goods, including tobacco and
alcohol products, in a third country for personal use
outside the United States. The answer is no. The
Regulations prohibit persons subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States from purchasing, transporting, importing,
or otherwise dealing in or engaging in any transactions
with respect to any merchandise outside the United States
if such merchandise (1) is of Cuban origin; or (2) is or
has been located in or transported from or through Cuba; or
(3) is made or derived in whole or in part of any article
which is the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba. Thus,
in the case of cigars, the prohibition extends to cigars
manufactured in Cuba and sold in a third country and to
cigars manufactured in a third country from tobacco grown
in Cuba.
Countries
The question is often asked whether United States citizens
or permanent resident aliens of the United States may
legally purchase Cuban origin goods, including tobacco and
alcohol products, in a third country for personal use
outside the United States. The answer is no. The
Regulations prohibit persons subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States from purchasing, transporting, importing,
or otherwise dealing in or engaging in any transactions
with respect to any merchandise outside the United States
if such merchandise (1) is of Cuban origin; or (2) is or
has been located in or transported from or through Cuba; or
(3) is made or derived in whole or in part of any article
which is the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba. Thus,
in the case of cigars, the prohibition extends to cigars
manufactured in Cuba and sold in a third country and to
cigars manufactured in a third country from tobacco grown
in Cuba.
Doesnt really cover foreigners though?
Mar 14, 2007, 11:59 pm
#13
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I'm not a cigar expert, but I've noticed the Cuban cigars I've enjoyed went down much smoother than those form other countries. Don't know why.
When I was in Central America, I smoked as many as I could, and even managed to sneak in a few back to my brother.
According to aceman's quote, I broke the law. Twice. Damn.
When I was in Central America, I smoked as many as I could, and even managed to sneak in a few back to my brother.
According to aceman's quote, I broke the law. Twice. Damn.
Mar 15, 2007, 3:57 am
#14
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I'm not a cigar expert, but I've noticed the Cuban cigars I've enjoyed went down much smoother than those form other countries. Don't know why.
When I was in Central America, I smoked as many as I could, and even managed to sneak in a few back to my brother.
According to aceman's quote, I broke the law. Twice. Damn.
When I was in Central America, I smoked as many as I could, and even managed to sneak in a few back to my brother.
According to aceman's quote, I broke the law. Twice. Damn.