Cuba/Canada customs with cigars

[DarkSky]

To all Canadians out there with experience in this:

I'm heading to Cuba in a couple weeks. Do the cigars I buy there need to be ON ME (ie: in my carry on) when I come back? I've heard conflicting statements.

One person said that any alcohol or tobacco coming back needs to go through customs with the person, meaning it's got to come back in my carry on (backpack). But the customs Declaration Card has Yes/No boxes for different things, one of which being "Commercial goods, whether or not for resale", and another one saying "I/we have shipped goods that are not accompanying me/us" <-- that last one is vague. Does it mean SHIPPED as in MAILED back, or is it referring to checked luggage?

Simply put, I'm just asking if my stogies coming back with me from Cuba need to be with me in my carry-on, or if they can be put in my checked luggage (since my carry-on is already full with my expensive camera gear)

[rckymtn22]

No, they do not have to be on you. When you get to customs you will have both sets of luggage so doesn't matter. They might ask you when you go though passport control then flag you for further inspection when you have both. Last time I came back they never asked me how much i was bring me back.

Enjoy your vacation, Cuba is a great place.

[Holysmokes]

My experience is from travelling to the Dominican Rep. I did purchase a box of Arturo Fuente while I was there and simply placed them in my luggage (not my carry on) and I never even declared them, customs did not ask if I had tobacco products or liquor etc... You should be golden. If you want to play it safe tho, don't take more than what the limit permits, which I believe it 100 cigars, but I could be wrong. But I would GORGE my suitcase then have a party when I get home. I would spend hours with my humidor and my new cigars. I can already imagine how much time I would take to organize my humidor neatly with at least 10 new boxes of cigars... WHAT A VISION!!!

Good luck with your trip my friend.

Luc

[DarkSky]

My experience is from travelling to the Dominican Rep. I did purchase a box of Arturo Fuente while I was there and simply placed them in my luggage (not my carry on) and I never even declared them, customs did not ask if I had tobacco products or liquor etc...

Really? Maybe because it was Dominican. They probably know more tobacco comes back with people from Cuba Either way, I'm not going to risk it.

You should be golden. If you want to play it safe tho, don't take more than what the limit permits, which I believe it 100 cigars, but I could be wrong.

50 actually. + 200 cigarettes + 200 grams of tobacco.

But I would GORGE my suitcase then have a party when I get home. I would spend hours with my humidor and my new cigars. I can already imagine how much time I would take to organize my humidor neatly with at least 10 new boxes of cigars... WHAT A VISION!!!

Hehe. WItha bout $400 in taxes on a $150 box of cigars, you'd be looking at paying an extra $4 GRAND in duty/taxes if they saw 10 boxes Except I doubt they'd be nice enough to give you the option. They'd probably just seize it like it says on the Declarations Card (anything not declared can be seized and you may face criminal prosecution). Trust me man - I live in a border town with the US. YOU GET BUSTED for trying to smuggle stuff into the country. And playing it stupid does NOT work.

Nah, I'm going to bring my 50 limit, and probably get my girlfriend to take back 50 in her luggage.

But I really need to know what the official rule is for bringing back tobacco as I'd hate to put all my expensive camera/computer gear in checked baggage.

[thechenman]

As was stated before...when you go through customs, you will have in your possession your carry-on baggage as well as your checked-in baggage. So for all intents and purposes the cigars will be in your possession. What the customs form is inquiring about is whether you mailed cigars from Cuba to Canada, not whether you carrying it on your person, or in your checked baggage.

[CanuckSARTech]

I definitely recommend to check out the Ultimate Cuba Visiting thread the Pres started.

Firstly, it's 50 sticks per person. Secondly, the declaration form questions you ask about are for what you wondered - they're trying to find out if you've mailed home $5000 worth of stuff/cigars, to try to avoid being snagged up with them at the airport. Thirdly, no, they don't HAVE to be in your carry-on baggage - you're allowed to put them into any baggage that's flying with you, including your checked baggage.

But lastly, I would definitely recommend putting them in your carry-on baggage, or simply carrying them in a plastic shopping bag aside from your carry-on baggage. I'd recommend this for two reasons - to ensure that they're on hand, as well as the Factura receipts in case there are any questions/problems; and finally, FOR YOUR OWN SANITY!!!! I could/would never bring home cigars in checked baggage. I'd be too worried about theft/damage/theft/lost luggage/theft. Did I mention theft???

[DarkSky]

I definitely recommend to check out the Ultimate Cuba Visiting thread the Pres started.

Thanks!

Firstly, it's 50 sticks per person. Secondly, the declaration form questions you ask about are for what you wondered - they're trying to find out if you've mailed home $5000 worth of stuff/cigars, to try to avoid being snagged up with them at the airport. Thirdly, no, they don't HAVE to be in your carry-on baggage - you're allowed to put them into any baggage that's flying with you, including your checked baggage.

Thanks again! Yah, I knew it was 50 per person, just didn't know if the tobacco I'm bringing back needed to be on my person (I sound like a cop) or if checked luggage was ok. Good to know!

But lastly, I would definitely recommend putting them in your carry-on baggage, or simply carrying them in a plastic shopping bag aside from your carry-on baggage. I'd recommend this for two reasons - to ensure that they're on hand, as well as the Factura receipts in case there are any questions/problems; and finally, FOR YOUR OWN SANITY!!!! I could/would never bring home cigars in checked baggage. I'd be too worried about theft/damage/theft/lost luggage/theft. Did I mention theft???

Good advice. Yah 2 boxes won't take up that much room so I'll find a way for them to fit. Cheers!

[CanuckSARTech]

Generally, depending on the bag and the airline, camera bags don't actually count as a carry-on bag. Just like for ladies - they're allowed a carry-on, PLUS a purse or a diaper bag or a camera bag. So, you could easily have the camera bag, and then a little retail bag even, carrying your goodies. Just check your particular airline's/package-carrier's rules on the carry-on luggage allotment.