Kurt Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 FOH, Looks like another bringing Cubans to the US thread but I wanted a little more info which hopefully my fellow Yanks can help me out with as I very infrequently travel to the US (read twice in 15 years). I'm a American guy living in Thailand working on a ship and thanks to some new United States Coast Guard regulations coming about in 2017 I have to travel to the USA for maritime courses (3 weeks). I'll be flying Bangkok to Dubai then into JFK on Emirates metal and plan to bring my large portable Xikar humidor (about 30 sticks). What is the latest news? I read previously taking the bands off would not be conclusive evidence of them being non Cubans which to me is silly because they can't prove they aren't non Cuban hand rolled sticks. Thanks for any help! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lant63 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I think this is against forum rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I think this is against forum rules. Not at all. Bringing in your own stock as a traveller for private consumption isn't a problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lant63 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Not at all. Bringing in your own stock as a traveller for private consumption isn't a problem. sorry got it confused with the shipping rule lol! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Technically, still illegal. The only approved method of Cuban cigars into the US is a US citizen bringing back $100 in Cuban cigars from a visit to Cuba. Techically it is illegal for myself as an Aussie to even transit with Cuban cigars through the USA. Techically it is illegal for a US Citizen to purchase them outside of Cuba and bring them back to the US (any amount). In practice, I have never had an issue. Neither have I carried more than a few boxes. I have never debanded. To be 100% safe, deband. I doubt they could really care currently to do a CSI on the tobacco origin. The times I have been pulled over at US Customs and asked a straight question if Cuban cigars were in my posession, I just gave a straight answer...my best "really?" look, reminded him that we fight on the same side and that they are for personal consumption. Waved through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSXCIGAR Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 If you're returning directly from Cuba, the $100 rule applies, and you must have a receipt (no custom rolls or street-bought). If you're entering the US from another country with Cuban cigars, remove the bands and hope for the best. You're allowed to bring in up to 100 non-Cuban cigars per person for personal consumption. Remember, customs has the discretion to seize anything suspicious at the border, but you could regain them on appeal since the burden of proof is on the state, but have fun with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlohaStyle Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 There is no straightforward answer, do what you feel comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Technically, still illegal. The only approved method of Cuban cigars into the US is a US citizen bringing back $100 in Cuban cigars from a visit to Cuba. Techically it is illegal for myself as an Aussie to even transit with Cuban cigars through the USA. Techically it is illegal for a US Citizen to purchase them outside of Cuba and bring them back to the US (any amount). In practice, I have never had an issue. Neither have I carried more than a few boxes. I have never debanded. To be 100% safe, deband. I doubt they could really care currently to do a CSI on the tobacco origin. The times I have been pulled over at US Customs and asked a straight question if Cuban cigars were in my posession, I just gave a straight answer...my best "really?" look, reminded him that we fight on the same side and that they are for personal consumption. Waved through. Cheers.. that was the answer I was looking for. I won't be bringing boxes in only my portable humidor and could really care less about the bands as these will be fishing and drinking cigars for personal consumption while in the states.. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guyman1966 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I posted recently about my return from Mexico. I am a US Citizen. When asked about bringing alcohol and tobacco, I admitted that I had a few Cuban cigars. The border agent did not blink and we moved along with no problem. However, I have read up some more on this and clearly my cigars could have been taken away. US Citizens are permitted 100 cigars.... just not Cubans. According to the cbp.gov - any and all Cuban products (arriving from a country other than Cuba) are forbidden. Here read: The tobacco exemption is available to each adult 21 years of age or over. Except for information and informational materials, no traveler (whether traveling legally under an approved Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) license or traveling illegally without an approved OFAC license) may import Cuban-made goods, including Cuban cigars. Next time, I will remove the bands just to be safe. I also have a good wooden Mexican cigar box that I will bring to help transport. Here is the link to the us website: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepp Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Customs agent: "what kind of cigars are those (wink)" Me: "those are Mexican cigars (wink)" Customs agent: "thank you (wink)" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riazp Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 from experience, i've never had an issue. caddy in checked luggage and away I go. If you want to be safe like Rob said, remove the bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habanos2000 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Even removing the bands doesn't remove the responsibility from the owner to prove they are NOT Cuban. That being said, has anyone on the forum had their Cubans confiscated?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion21 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 People: US Customs does not care about your cigars. To be safe, take off the bands and they won't even think twice. Customs officials are trying to keep dangerous people and items out of our country. Cigars are not what they are looking to control. Having said that, if you bring in a box (s) and shove it in their face they may decide to exercise their duty to take them. Never lie about having nothing to declare, if they ask you if you have anything to declare tell them. You bought some cigar in XYZ and that's all. The worst they can do is send you over to the line to be searched. When they pull out the unbanded cigars they can't prove they are Cuban. Just tell them you bought cigars in XYZ at a shop and loved them so much you decided to bring some home. I would be shocked if they asked you if they were Cuban. If they do just claim they were custom rolls from the location you purchased them and then this rule applies: A traveler may include up to 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes in the $800 exemption from duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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