Travelling in the USA with CCs

[ballophun]

I'm heading to the States for my 30th in August and was wondering if there'd be any problems if I were to take some Cuban cigars.

Do I have to declare them or anything?

Cheers,

Guy

[El Presidente]

Technically the only permitted Cuban Cigars allowed to be taken into the US is from an approved trip to Cuba by a US citizen (value up to $100 USD).

Otherwise, If you are ultra safety conscious, take the bands off and say they are from somewhere else should you be questioned.

Personally, I have only had a problem once. It was a nice customs official in Vegas international. He searched my luggage, found a box of LGC MO1 (I bought them in Cuba), told me they were illegal. He then smiled and told me to go through as he was more a Robusto man himself. Top bloke

In near 20 years of going to the US with personal cigars (Cuban), I have had no issue.

I wouldn't be declaring them

[ballophun]

Thanks mate!

Right, now to score some sticks...

[reliefdvm]

Absolutely do not declare them. I have some friends that work for ICE ( and they enjoy my Cubans on occasion ), and they said for the most part they operate on " don't ask, don't tell " basis as far as CC are concerned, but if they find them they are supposed to toss them in the trash. If you want to make sure your stash is unmolested remove the labels from those "Nicaraguan" cigars.

[Shikar]

Mine are fake Cubans, if they find them.

Regard.

[torsion]

Absolutely do not declare them. I have some friends that work for ICE ( and they enjoy my Cubans on occasion ), and they said for the most part they operate on " don't ask, don't tell " basis as far as CC are concerned, but if they find them they are supposed to toss them in the trash. If you want to make sure your stash is unmolested remove the labels from those "Nicaraguan" cigars.

x2 don't declare - remove the bands if concerned. I came back from a trip recently and had a fiver of Siglo I with me. I wrote cigars down on the usual custom declaration form and upon reaching the custom guys got through although he questioned where the cigars were from. As there was a fair bit of traffic I don't think he was concentrating that much, I held back from saying "CC" and simply said I bought them in Germany which puzzled him enough to let me through but muttered "German cigars eh?" I wasn't lying - I had got them in Frankfurt duty free! No way was I prepared to loose them based on something I would of said myself.

[Nrengle]

This is why global entry is awesome. No fussing with the guys at customs just a machine that takes a picture and scans my finger prints. Then bam off I go. but definitely don't declare,a Dan out them in your carry on. Much less suspect.

[Duxnutz]

Don't declare. When I travel to the US on holidays I usually mix a few non Cubans on top for looks. TSA at security couldn't give two hoots!

[ballophun]

Thanks fellas. Right on. I won't declare. I'll just say they're Nicaraguan if I get asked. "You think I'd be flying economy if I could afford Cuban Cigars? Pleeeease!"