oliverchang514 Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 I'm going on a quick trip with an uncle of mine for his business in a week. He does international trading and I just recently quit my job, so I thought like any "responsible individual" would..... VACATION!! We are heading to Johannesburg, but first stopping for a connecting flight from Dubai International Airport. There is a "La Casa Del Habano" at the Dubai Duty Free Rashid Terminal? Tell me I'm right.. So my puzzle, if someone can solve this is.. I obviously, cant buy the "duty free shop cigars" on the connecting flight back to california, but.. I could buy it when I'm connecting from "Dubai" to "Johannesburg" riiiiight? (I have a two hour window there, so I need to be fast!) I hope I'm onto something. If I am correct in these assumptions.. the puzzle/dilemma then becomes.. How do I get the stogies back with me when I return to good ol' US, without bad men pillaging my goods. Thought?
sblevit Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Have you thought about smuggling them inside a body cavity?
77stoneblues Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 If you take them out of the boxes and remove the bands, they can't proove the cigars are Cuban, so they should be okay I would guess.
77stoneblues Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Have you thought about smuggling them inside a body cavity? I'd go for the smaller ring gauges in this case...
matt14 Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 There are 4 LCDH`s in Dubai airport and 1 in Jo`Berg. Take the bands off them and ditch the boxes, put them in ziplock bags and careful stow them in your carry on. If asked they are Willie Mandela specials bought in Jo`Berg
Lastroll Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 If you want to know how I deal with importing, e-mail or PM me and I may able to help. Us Californians need to stick together.
CaptainQuintero Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Have you thought about smuggling them inside a body cavity? I'd go for the smaller ring gauges in this case... No Culebras either
TankerT Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 I'm going on a quick trip with an uncle of mine for his business in a week. He does international trading and I just recently quit my job, so I thought like any "responsible individual" would..... VACATION!! We are heading to Johannesburg, but first stopping for a connecting flight from Dubai International Airport. There is a "La Casa Del Habano" at the Dubai Duty Free Rashid Terminal? Tell me I'm right.. So my puzzle, if someone can solve this is.. I obviously, cant buy the "duty free shop cigars" on the connecting flight back to california, but.. I could buy it when I'm connecting from "Dubai" to "Johannesburg" riiiiight? (I have a two hour window there, so I need to be fast!) I hope I'm onto something. If I am correct in these assumptions.. the puzzle/dilemma then becomes.. How do I get the stogies back with me when I return to good ol' US, without bad men pillaging my goods. Thought? I buy them in duty free, on a flight connecting to the USA and I put them in my carry on. I also declare tobacco on my declaration slip, with the actual amount paid. I always say that I have cigars if asked, and I've even been subjected to additional screening. Never had my cigars seized. Never been fined. Mind you, I'm not talking lots. Under a dozen normally. But, never falsify your entry documents. THAT will get you in a lot more trouble.
Rushman Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Yes, don't falsify your docs. Take the bands off and you should be good. There are easier ways to get them tithe US, the Czar is certainly a very good option and likely much more cost effective them a duty free area I suppose.
oliverchang514 Posted September 23, 2011 Author Posted September 23, 2011 I usually buy from the czar as well, but have never ventured into casa del habano seeing how we dont have one in the US. haven't traveled overseas in a looong time, hence the need/want. Smithy said something about how he enjoyed smuggling the "larger ring gauges" is his younger years.
ZinZan Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Thanks for this guys, this is extremely useful. I'm traveling to the states the week after, thinking of bringing a couple cigars.
Stalebread Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 If you take them out of the boxes and remove the bands, they can't proove the cigars are Cuban, so they should be okay I would guess. Could be wrong but it seems that I heard somewhere the burden of proof is on you. The agent doesn't have to prove the cigars are Cuban, you have to prove they're not. Bands and boxes may not have much to do with it if the agent is in a bad mood.
TankerT Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Could be wrong but it seems that I heard somewhere the burden of proof is on you. The agent doesn't have to prove the cigars are Cuban, you have to prove they're not. Bands and boxes may not have much to do with it if the agent is in a bad mood. Stalebread is right on this one!
TankerT Posted September 23, 2011 Posted September 23, 2011 Thanks for this guys, this is extremely useful. I'm traveling to the states the week after, thinking of bringing a couple cigars. ZinZan, If you do not hold a US Passport, I would not recommend that you bring in Cuban Cigars. And, if you do, declare it ALL. You risk being banned from entry into the USA for the rest of your life. (If you think I'm kidding... there are LOTS of trivial things that people can't enter because of. If you get a power hungry border guard on a bad day... you're toast. It does happen.) People traveling on a US passport don't face that risk. They just face jail, fines, etc. (Although, mind you... they usually just take them and destroy them. They almost always fine you if you don't declare them.) Will you get caught? Odds are no. But, it happens every day to someone. You just have to decide if the risk is worth the cigars.
oliverchang514 Posted September 28, 2011 Author Posted September 28, 2011 Thanks for all the advice guys.
ZinZan Posted September 28, 2011 Posted September 28, 2011 ZinZan, If you do not hold a US Passport, I would not recommend that you bring in Cuban Cigars. And, if you do, declare it ALL. You risk being banned from entry into the USA for the rest of your life. (If you think I'm kidding... there are LOTS of trivial things that people can't enter because of. If you get a power hungry border guard on a bad day... you're toast. It does happen.) People traveling on a US passport don't face that risk. They just face jail, fines, etc. (Although, mind you... they usually just take them and destroy them. They almost always fine you if you don't declare them.) Will you get caught? Odds are no. But, it happens every day to someone. You just have to decide if the risk is worth the cigars. Thanks J and Stalebread, your right its better safe than sorry. It's prob worse for me as I'm a Muslim with Bin in my name. I was planning to buy a box of NCs on the way back, i guess i'll have to purchase the box earlier so that i can enjoy a couple of cigars during the trip.
Styler Posted September 28, 2011 Posted September 28, 2011 If you get a power hungry border guard on a bad day... you're toast. Tell me about it! I've been to the US several times and every border guard I've encountered as been an a-hole. I know they're just doing their jobs but it's the worst "welcome" to a country I've ever experienced. Probably a wise move not to try and smuggle cubans in, especially when you can get them from the Czars. Still worth a look around the LCDH to pick up a couple of smokes for your holiday.
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