santela Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 Hi guys, I'm currently in Cuba and will leave in a couple of days. I bought 100 custom rolls plus a couple of boxes. I'm told I can only take out 50, but I have nearly 200. Now I'm with a friend who isn't buying any so he'll help me with his quota, but we are still way over the limit. A guy at a LCdH suggested I could put some in my check-in bag and some in my carry-on. Does that work? Has anyone been caught with more than 50 cigars and were confiscated? Any information would be appreciated! Thanks!
TheGipper Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 I thought the 50 limit was for loose cigars or boxes without a receipt. I thought that if you have receipts, they're happy to let you take as many as you want. Are you saying they didn't give you a receipt at the LCDH?
santela Posted February 16, 2016 Author Posted February 16, 2016 I thought the 50 limit was for loose cigars or boxes without a receipt. I thought that if you have receipts, they're happy to let you take as many as you want. Are you saying they didn't give you a receipt at the LCDH? Well the 100 custom rolls I bought they did not give me a receipt, I forgot to ask as well. Then there is a box of Trini I bought I misplaced the receipt...
Orion21 Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 Is this the US, Canada or other you are going home to?
TheGipper Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 Is this the US, Canada or other you are going home to? He's talking about the exit process in Cuba. Visitors get the wonderful experience of being examined by Cuban customs upon EXITING the country as well as entry. They have policies in place to try and reduce the number of unauthorized street cigar sales by confiscating them (if you have too many) as you leave the country.
santela Posted February 16, 2016 Author Posted February 16, 2016 Is this the US, Canada or other you are going home to? Neither, I'm going to China for work so that won't be a problem, I'm mostly worried about leaving Cuba.
santela Posted February 16, 2016 Author Posted February 16, 2016 He's talking about the exit process in Cuba. Visitors get the wonderful experience of being examined by Cuban customs upon EXITING the country as well as entry. They have policies in place to try and reduce the number of unauthorized street cigar sales by confiscating them (if you have too many) as you leave the country. I have 100 house rolls with no receipt, will I have a problem with those? (My friend is helpin me to take out half)
The Privateer Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 I haven't had a problem taking cigars out of Cuba without receipts. Never been stopped, or my bags examined, although I do split them up as a precaution. Now if you're flying through Mexico you have to watch it as they snag every single stick -- I tell them I'm transiting only.
santela Posted February 16, 2016 Author Posted February 16, 2016 I haven't had a problem taking cigars out of Cuba without receipts. Never been stopped, or my bags examined, although I do split them up as a precaution. Now if you're flying through Mexico you have to watch it as they snag every single stick -- I tell them I'm transiting only. That's good to know, thanks. When u say split up do u mean split up between friends or between ur carry-on and checked luggage?
Olga Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 A guy at a LCdH suggested I could put some in my check-in bag and some in my carry-on. That's what I would do.
oliverdst Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 I know people who left Cuba with thousands cigars
Ken Gargett Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 Hi guys, I'm currently in Cuba and will leave in a couple of days. I bought 100 custom rolls plus a couple of boxes. I'm told I can only take out 50, but I have nearly 200. Now I'm with a friend who isn't buying any so he'll help me with his quota, but we are still way over the limit. A guy at a LCdH suggested I could put some in my check-in bag and some in my carry-on. Does that work? Has anyone been caught with more than 50 cigars and were confiscated? Any information would be appreciated! Thanks! if they catch you, every chance. not sure if it would just be confiscation, probably of all of them, or a fine. i've been pulled over and searched and had my luggage searched and even called off a plane to have my luggage searched. every time i had the paper work (there may have been times when i had some extra and got through, not that i am confessing) so was fine. like customs anywhere. you take your chances. the odds probably in your favour to get through but they do search a lot of people and luggage (and yes, i have had my hand luggage searched as well - even the coat i was wearing). i'd find out the penalties. if it is confiscation of everything, you may want to have a serious think about it. if just a fine, work out if it is worth it.
The Privateer Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 That's good to know, thanks. When u say split up do u mean split up between friends or between ur carry-on and checked luggage? Both. Definitely break them up and hand carry some, but put the bulk in your check-in. Clearly this is from my experience only, and I'd take into account what others have to say too.
oliverdst Posted February 16, 2016 Posted February 16, 2016 Have the receipts on hand. And do not forget customs in your country. 1
RockemSockem Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 I've had only one issue leaving Cuba with cigars. In November 2014 from the airport in Varadero I checked my bags, went through customs and security and proceeded upstairs to the gate to wait for my flight. I heard my name being paged on the loud speakers. I went back down stairs and there sat my checked bag. I was asked if it was mine and told to bring it to a little room with just a desk. Two people asked me to open the suitcase and they proceeded to inspect my cigars. I had split them up between my one checked bag and one carry on. I had 199 total sticks. Mostly full boxes purchased in stores and some loose sticks from the Partagas events. They asked to see the customs paperwork (out of 8 trips to Cuba, this was the first time this has ever happened). I told them I didn't have any. They didn't like that much. The told me that I must have customs paperwork if I was leaving with more than 50 sticks. I said I was never given any paperwork. I had made purchases at several different LCDH stores. I had some pretty large VISA receipts and showed them a brochure and dinner menu from the Partagas events. Eventually, they seemed satisfied that I had purchased the cigars and let me go with the warning. Now someone working at the LCDH tells me that they are NOT required to provide customs paperwork if you are purchasing less than 50 sticks. I now insist I get the customs paperwork and I get the eye-roll. Better than losing my cigars! That was my experience. Does anyone know why they have this 50-sticks-without-customs-paperwork rule? Is it to make sure the majority of $ goes through the stores and not to the farmers or counterfeiters? Dave
LLC Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Most times they've questioned the amount of cigars I have but once I show the factura's they are fine. They are trying to prevent cigars not bought in legitimate stores from leaving in quantity because the government gets no revenue firm those. You often have to insist the store write one up for you because most of them don't like doing it.
Diamondog Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Ive been pulled off the plane prior to leaving Cuba with 500 and most were custom rolls...their concern is people bringing garbage out of the country as it is damaging to their reputation for a huge export....they inspected my bundles and the quality of the cigars spoke for themselves and I had no problem leaving with them...be aware though they have the right to take anything they like so anything you bring out you can lose...small chance that would happen? Not sure. Thats my experience and personal opinion. Canada customs was also informed prior to my arrival of what I was carrying but was not an issue for me as everything was fully declared. Also, some shops may not give receipts for customs no matter how much you insist.
LLC Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Ive been pulled off the plane prior to leaving Cuba with 500 and most were custom rolls...their concern is people bringing garbage out of the country as it is damaging to their reputation for a huge export....they inspected my bundles and the quality of the cigars spoke for themselves and I had no problem leaving with them...be aware though they have the right to take anything they like so anything you bring out you can lose...small chance that would happen? Not sure. Thats my experience and personal opinion. Canada customs was also informed prior to my arrival of what I was carrying but was not an issue for me as everything was fully declared. Also, some shops may not give receipts for customs no matter how much you insist. Agree about not always getting receipts for custom's, I was referring to factura's for boxes that you need to be sure to get or risk issues leaving.
Pilsner14 Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Ive been pulled off the plane prior to leaving Cuba with 500 and most were custom rolls...their concern is people bringing garbage out of the country as it is damaging to their reputation for a huge export....they inspected my bundles and the quality of the cigars spoke for themselves and I had no problem leaving with them...be aware though they have the right to take anything they like so anything you bring out you can lose...small chance that would happen? Not sure. Thats my experience and personal opinion. Canada customs was also informed prior to my arrival of what I was carrying but was not an issue for me as everything was fully declared. Also, some shops may not give receipts for customs no matter how much you insist. How was that customs bill for the overage if everything was declared? Jd 1
oliverdst Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 I now insist I get the customs paperwork and I get the eye-roll. Better than losing my cigars! I didnt know that, bro, do you have any picture? all LCDH's are supposed to have this paper?
RockemSockem Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 I didnt know that, bro, do you have any picture? all LCDH's are supposed to have this paper? I'll have to look for one. I usually toss them in the garbage on the plane so I have no record of the actual value of the cigars when I arrive back in Canada. I assume the customs officers in Canada know how to count so I can't lie about the quantity but I will always misrepresent the cost
santela Posted February 17, 2016 Author Posted February 17, 2016 Thanks for the feedback guys. I already bought the cigars, so I guess I'll have to just try my luck.
WhiteMamba Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 let us know how things work out for you. I'm curious to see how this plays out.
El Presidente Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Does anyone know why they have this 50-sticks-without-customs-paperwork rule? Is it to make sure the majority of $ goes through the stores and not to the farmers or counterfeiters? Dave That's pretty much it Dave. Keep in mind that most of those who know cigars will buy legit boxes/customs. You can only imaging what Cuban customs see day to day in regards to hundreds if not thousands of boxes going out without paperwork etc. That raises a question of which I don't know the answer. What happens to the suitcases where there are 5/10/20/50 boxes heading out without paperwork? Are they fined or confiscated?
santela Posted February 18, 2016 Author Posted February 18, 2016 let us know how things work out for you. I'm curious to see how this plays out. Will do
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now