Aussies bringing home cigars from Cuba

[Anth87]

Good morning /evening all!

Public Holiday here on the Gold Coast -having a monte #4 before going to the gym

Question - planning a Cuba trip (my first ?) next year.

Do you have to fly a certain route to get to Australia to bring back cigars?

I.e let's say u go from Habana to Mexico to LA to Australia, will US Customs accept that you have A few boxes but you've got a connecting flight to Australia, or will US just confiscate them?

Thoughts appreciated and thanks ?

[jimsta10]

Correct me if I'm wrong...Cuban cigars isn't illegal in the US anymore..and if you are just transiting through, theoretically you are not bringing anything in past customs to warrant any duty or taxes.

[AussieCanuck]

Just watch out for the duty/taxes when you get back into Australia ! What's the limit....2 cigars ?

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[Lant63]

Correct me if I'm wrong...Cuban cigars isn't illegal in the US anymore..and if you are just transiting through, theoretically you are not bringing anything in past customs to warrant any duty or taxes.

The limit is $100 officially coming into the united states. I would fly from havana to mexico where there is no duty if you are staying less than 24 hours.

Sent by telepathic super powers

-Stogie Boy

[Anth87]

The limit is $100 officially coming into the united states. I would fly from havana to mexico where there is no duty if you are staying less than 24 hours.

Sent by telepathic super powers

-Stogie Boy[/quote

Thanks Aussies who've visited Cuba -

Do they have direct flights from Mexico to Aus?

Yes limit is 50 grams of tobacco duty free which is crap - you either take the punt or declare lol

[skalls]

Isn't it 10 cigars or $100 not just $100? Admittedly I'm not totally sure on that

[jimsta10]

The limit is $100 officially coming into the united states. I would fly from havana to mexico where there is no duty if you are staying less than 24 hours.

Sent by telepathic super powers

-Stogie Boy

So, even if you are transiting? legally your baggage hasn't gone past customs....how would they know if you are just transiting? or you saying that the airline will unload and re-scan everything in the cargo hold?

[luv2fly]

As long as the cigars are in your checked bags, there should be no problem transiting through LA. Not sure about carry on but I would think that would work as well. You are only in transit and not a citizen of the USA to boot. IMHO.

[Anth87]

As long as the cigars are in your checked bags, there should be no problem transiting through LA. Not sure about carry on but I would think that would work as well. You are only in transit and not a citizen of the USA to boot. IMHO.

I was kinda hoping somebody would say that!

Now just need enough $$ and luggage for presents haha

[Duxnutz]

Customs in the U.S. Are pretty reasonable in my dealings, it's the idiots you have to deal with entering the country back here.

[JohnS]

Customs in the U.S. Are pretty reasonable in my dealings, it's the idiots you have to deal with entering the country back here.

Yes indeed...50 grams of tobacco allowed per person now in Australia.

[Fuzz]

Yes indeed...50 grams of tobacco allowed per person now in Australia.

I'm planning a tour of Cuba for 50 non-smokers.... just so I can use their duty free tobacco allowance!

[Ken Gargett]

Customs in the U.S. Are pretty reasonable in my dealings, it's the idiots you have to deal with entering the country back here.

yes, agree.

never had a problem though you hear stories.

[Guest rob]

I got stung coming back with bugger all tobacco in November.

I declared them because as well as being an upstanding and law abiding citizen, I didn't want to risk confiscation - whilst normal cigars are replaceable, I had 40 or so Hamlet (and Prieto) customs. They weighed them to the gram, charged me appropriately - and cost me 30 mins of frigging around.

[LordAnubis]

While i too am an upstanding citizen, i declare my goods over the limit. If i have the time i'll make the argument that "the cigar weighs 10 grams, but its 10% water and take a gram off for the band, so you should only charge me 8.1g as the clear definition of section 5.5 of the Excise Tarriff Working Pages is that the rate applies per kilogram of tobacco content".

Often though i land at 01:00 and can't be bothered arguing with them and just swipe my card.

[westg]

While i too am an upstanding citizen, i declare my goods over the limit. If i have the time i'll make the argument that "the cigar weighs 10 grams, but its 10% water and take a gram off for the band, so you should only charge me 8.1g as the clear definition of section 5.5 of the Excise Tarriff Working Pages is that the rate applies per kilogram of tobacco content".

Often though i land at 01:00 and can't be bothered arguing with them and just swipe my card.

Haha upstanding as in upright and on two feet. I was let off 18 months ago with a warning ,came back with four boxes from Dubai.Paid nothing, In May I purchased two boxes of du Dauphin from Singapore and purposely did not declare them , came through no problem...I have given those dirty dogs with fleas enough over the years and still do on every purchase. Coming back from Cuba on such a long route I would consider it.