Can You Buy Cuban Cigars Legally


All of these factors have also increased demand – and prices – for many limited-edition and vintage Cuban cigars, as evidenced by a recent online auction by C.Gars Ltd., where a box of Cohiba Double Coronas reached a new record price of $13,400, a box of Cohiba Sublimes for $12,600, and a sealed box of 25 Cohiba Coronas Especiales from the 1970s nearly $40,000. Sounds simple, right? Well, the law gets a little vague if you want to extend the limit by paying taxes. The law states very clearly: «Authorized travelers may also return to the United States with alcohol and/or tobacco products purchased in Cuba as accompanied baggage for their personal use. (The same language applies to cigars purchased in other countries.) The term «personal use» means that every customs agent has the right to question your intentions if, for example, you come back with a suitcase with 50 boxes of cigars. Although the regulations also make it very clear that you can give your cigars to third parties if you sell them or receive any kind of compensation in return, you are breaking the law. Dear Raphael My opinion on Cuban cigars; And all cigars are that they do not smell, but actually stink. As a young man, I`m new to a few great players, cigars are popular with card players (see the movie The Cincinnati Kid, really great). I remember knowing a very lightning fast player celebrating a new bespoke player with spare pants. Guess what? He burned a whole in his coat.

Although Cuban cigars are banned in the United States, some are still trying to introduce them. Understand that this is a criminal offence and has serious consequences. The traveler was queuing up at JFK. In his pocket, he had $2,000 worth of Cuban cigars that he had bought in London. His arrival took place a week after the United States. The Treasury Department had further relaxed the rules for U.S. citizens who import Cuban cigars and rum into the United States. Still, there were limits: $800 or 100 cigars coming without customs.

The traveler was honest. He explained everything and expected to pay a four percent tariff on cigars that go across borders. «Have a good day,» the customs officer said. «We give you a vacation on the extra duty.» I agree with «resmerC, I smoked Cuban cigars and sold cigars for several years in the past. A good cigar is the one you like to smoke, no matter how much it was priced or how it was created. As long as it`s what you like and you like to smoke it, it`s a good cigar. I don`t care if it`s $15.00 or. $5.00 cigar as long as it smokes and tastes good, I`ll keep smoking it, but it`s just me. I know that some people only smoke Cuban cigars because they want to feel like they know what the «best cigar» is for smoking, and only smokers who maintain their image for everyone who looks at them. I`m not like that at all. Smoke what you like and enjoy!! And don`t worry about anything else ps. With a glass of brandy of course!! I have been smoking Cuban cigars for about 30 years and what is important is the size and the way the cigar is kept today Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and other countries have significantly improved their quality my favorite brand is Hoyo de Monterrey, but I have sometimes had poorly preserved cigars and smoke cigars from other regions and they taste better a look before buying ask, to open the box to see if they are dry or too wet after buying, keep them in a humidor, if you do not have humidor, do not buy large quantities, I like double corona sizes, you choose the size and also the color will give an indication of the strength of the cigar .

Taking advantage of penalties for illegally importing, buying, selling, trading, distributing or participating in transactions with illegally imported Cuban cigars can be very severe. Cigars can (and probably will be) confiscated. You can also expect civil fines of up to $50,000. In some circumstances, you might even face a criminal trial that leads to a prison sentence. If you`re in a position right now where you can`t get your hands on Cuban cigars, that`s fine, you`ll eventually get your chance and in the meantime, you can find out what`s readily available in the United States on the guides on our website. What do you think of Cuban cigars? Share your experience below! Another point: if you leave Cuba with more than 50 cigars or two boxes, make sure you have the invoices handy to show cuban customs officers that you bought them from an official source and that you are not trying to smuggle. In November, a traveler had 450 cigars, some unrelated and some in boxes, and was asked to provide documents. But he also received the duty exemption in Miami at U.S. Customs. In recent years, the U.S. Treasury Department has cracked down on the illegal importation of Cuban cigars into the United States.

However, Cuban cigars can be imported under minimal circumstances. Since the increased restrictions on Cuban products starting in September 2020, travelers will not be able to bring Cuban cigars to the United States. This also applies to the transport of items for personal consumption. In short, it is not what is in Cuban cigars that makes them criminal, but where they come from. Those who have tried real cohibas may tell you that they are indeed different, but that is not why they are restricted to the United States. Don`t fall into the widespread prejudice that all Cuban cigars are strong. This brand certainly is not, although its strength varies depending on the shape. Are you planning to drink Irish whiskey and a cigar? Try a Powers Three Swallow or the more complex Lost Irish paired with an Epicure Especial 5 x 1/2 Robusto. Another question that remains problematic is whether cigars purchased in the past 50 years and stored outside the United States can be repatriated under current regulations. The question was addressed to four different agencies: the US Treasury, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Customs and Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security. One office responded, «This response is not on file. I have no further advice to give you on your subject. It may be a matter of rethinking the problem, but it is possible that a product purchased when it was illegal could be subject to a different, perhaps stricter, interpretation of the law and be confiscated if you tried to enter the country with it.

Until there is a better answer, I would remain cautious before bringing home boxes of 30-year-old Cuban Davidoffs. While we`ve had a few legitimate Montecristo cigars that have ridden too tight in the past, it`s still one of our absolute favorites due to its rich, average flavor. We tend to be drawn to Pirámid #2 as it`s a very difficult form to simulate, but you`re more likely to become the smallest #4, a 42 x 5 1/8 Petit Corona, one of the best-selling cigars in the world. One expected cigar that we haven`t seen so far is the 4 7/8 of 54 Wide Edmundo, which should have appeared in 2021. A few weeks later, I was standing on the Global Entry customs line in Dallas. For the first time since I started working at Cigar Aficionado, I was carrying Cuban cigars in my pocket – four sticks I bought in Mexico. Now, understand, this scenario used to trigger a routine that looked like this: I approached the customs counter, handed over my passport, and waited for the inevitable question: «So, Mr. Mott, what magazine do you work for?» My answer was always to go hunting: «I don`t have cigars, sir.» This time, no one asked me if I had cigars, but I had a superficial «Welcome to the United States.» When this happens, U.S. cigar smokers will only have been given a short window when it was legal to bring significant quantities of Cuban cigars into the United States. Wait a moment. With stricter restrictions on Cuban products, buying these cigars online has become an even worse idea.

You will expose yourself to the risk of severe penalties. The global shortage of legitimate Cuban cigars, of course, expands the possibilities for counterfeiters, which is a persistent problem even in Cuba – although Costa Rica and Mexico (where they sell «Monte Cristo» cigars to anyone who doesn`t know the Montecristo brand is a word) – still compete for the title of the most fake Cuban cigars per square mile. So if someone offers you a Cohiba Esplendido for $10, you know it can`t be real. At present, many of the best-selling sales – such as the Partagás Serie D or the Cohiba Behike – are not available in large quantities.