Traveling soon need help!!

[Outdoorguy84]

Hey guys and girls, I’m traveling in several weeks to grand caymans and Cozumel on a cruise. I’m also in December going to Cuba on a cruise. I know there is an Old Havana cigar shop and LCDH there. But my main question is should I wait till I get to Cuba in December to buy my weight in cigars, lol?? Going to be my wife and I and we plan on buying the max amount which I believe is $800 worth of cigars per person. I live in Kansas in the USA. Or are they around the same prices? Any help would be deeply appreciated!! Thanks and cheers!!!

[Outdoorguy84]

So I’m new to FOH. How does that work? 24:24?

[Cayman17]

Cigars are expensive in Grand Cayman, so if you are only going to spend $800, you aren’t going to come back with much.  It’s nothing like the prices offered on the 24:24 listings. You will pay a premium. However, there is a wide variety of brands readily available to choose from.

I have never been to Cuba so I cannot comment there. 

I was under the impression that the $800 limit had been discontinued.  I thought that the rule was you could be taxed on re-entry to the US for any amount of cigars/goods worth over $800, but you can bring back as much as you want.  But don’t take my word for it, check the US Customs website to make sure before you go. Again, I don’t know if special rules apply to Americans visiting Cuba, but this was the rule in effect when I visited Grand Cayman earlier this year. 

Enjoy your trip ?

 

[Derboesekoenig]

1 hour ago, Outdoorguy84 said:

So I’m new to FOH. How does that work? 24:24?

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/topic/126274-a-guide-to-2424-2472/

[LLC]

Hey guys and girls, I’m traveling in several weeks to grand caymans and Cozumel on a cruise. I’m also in December going to Cuba on a cruise. I know there is an Old Havana cigar shop and LCDH there. But my main question is should I wait till I get to Cuba in December to buy my weight in cigars, lol?? Going to be my wife and I and we plan on buying the max amount which I believe is $800 worth of cigars per person. I live in Kansas in the USA. Or are they around the same prices? Any help would be deeply appreciated!! Thanks and cheers!!!

I’m not familiar with the first two but while your in Cuba definitely bring back your limit if not more. It is the motherland so definitely a great place to buy.


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[Lomey]

A fellow Kansan here and just got back from Cuba on a cruise in August. I'm very new to Cubans, but I'll tell you my experience. We never had to declare anything. Not a single question about cigars or rum coming home. Buy all the custom rolled cigars you can. Wish I would've bought more and I brought back 40. As far as boxes go, they opened every box we were interested in to see before we purchased them. I purchased everything from Reynaldo at Conde de Villanuava. Have fun!

[Ericbrobes]

+1 24:24

[Outdoorguy84]

20 minutes ago, Lomey said:

A fellow Kansan here and just got back from Cuba on a cruise in August. I'm very new to Cubans, but I'll tell you my experience. We never had to declare anything. Not a single question about cigars or rum coming home. Buy all the custom rolled cigars you can. Wish I would've bought more and I brought back 40. As far as boxes go, they opened every box we were interested in to see before we purchased them. I purchased everything from Reynaldo at Conde de Villanuava. Have fun!

Thanks man!! Where in Kansas do ya’ll live? 

[Outdoorguy84]

22 minutes ago, Lomey said:

A fellow Kansan here and just got back from Cuba on a cruise in August. I'm very new to Cubans, but I'll tell you my experience. We never had to declare anything. Not a single question about cigars or rum coming home. Buy all the custom rolled cigars you can. Wish I would've bought more and I brought back 40. As far as boxes go, they opened every box we were interested in to see before we purchased them. I purchased everything from Reynaldo at Conde de Villanuava. Have fun!

What were the prices like? And pics or prices you remember? 

[Lomey]

We live in Merriam/Overland Park. Custom rolls were priced by size. $3-$12 a piece. My total price for 40 different sizes was $205. I was fine with the box purchases, but again I'm just getting into to Cubans after smoking NCs regularly for 6-7 years. I'll look back on those prices. PM if you have any other questions.

Were are you at in Kansas?

[JGD]

Wait until Cuba for the bulk of your buying. Taxes in Grand Cayman and Mexico are pretty high, while Cuba will have great prices. 

Its still worth stopping in LCDHs in Grand Cayman and Cozumel to see what they have and maybe buy a few singles (i’ve found some gems in Mexican LCDHs before). 

For prices in Cuba, see the following link:

http://yulcigars.blogspot.com/2017/12/cigar-price-list-for-cuba-2017-2018.html?m=1

[JY0]

Wait for Cuba. (Only LCDH) No limits coming back but you may have to pay duty over $800.

[Outdoorguy84]

7 hours ago, Lomey said:

We live in Merriam/Overland Park. Custom rolls were priced by size. $3-$12 a piece. My total price for 40 different sizes was $205. I was fine with the box purchases, but again I'm just getting into to Cubans after smoking NCs regularly for 6-7 years. I'll look back on those prices. PM if you have any other questions.

Were are you at in Kansas?

In the Kansas City area in piper.  

[stogieluver]

There is so much you need to know but all that info is available on this forum and the Cuba Travel forum. Search both forums for a wealth of advice.

I can only say in summary to buy in Cuba. Buy all the custom rolls you can. Freeze all cigars you buy in Cuba before putting them in your humidor per the instructions you’ll find on these forums.  You’ll also generally have no problems with customs.  Again, there is a ton of more detailed info on all these topics and much more in these forums.  

Have a great trip. You’re going to fall in love with the land and the people. 

[Bagman]

800 dollar tax free, 4% tax (practically nothing) for cigars over that.  You run into complications if you go over 2,500 as technically that is the amount that you are considered to be above personal consumption.

20 limit on customs.  Not a US thing, but a rule in Cuba.  Over that and the cubans are likely to take any cigars over that limit.  Make sure to hold onto the fractura's (receipts)

[Derboesekoenig]

34 minutes ago, Monterey said:

800 dollar tax free, 4% tax (practically nothing) for cigars over that.  You run into complications if you go over 2,500 as technically that is the amount that you are considered to be above personal consumption.

20 limit on customs.  Not a US thing, but a rule in Cuba.  Over that and the cubans are likely to take any cigars over that limit.  Make sure to hold onto the fractura's (receipts)

May I ask where you found the "2,500"? I have never seen an actual number anywhere

[Bagman]

30 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

May I ask where you found the "2,500"? I have never seen an actual number anywhere

Commercial imports authorized under § 515.582 of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR),  Importation of Certain Goods and Services Produced by Independent Cuban Entrepreneurs, must comply with all current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other U.S. Government agency requirements.  For the import of commercial goods, such as for retail sale in the United States, CBP generally requires a customs informal entry for goods valued under $2,500, and a formal entry for goods exceeding $2,500.  Under the 2015 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), Cuba is a Column 2 country, and is therefore subject to specific duty rates.

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/cbp-public-notice-process-imports-cuba

[Derboesekoenig]

4 minutes ago, Monterey said:

Commercial imports authorized under § 515.582 of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR),  Importation of Certain Goods and Services Produced by Independent Cuban Entrepreneurs, must comply with all current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other U.S. Government agency requirements.  For the import of commercial goods, such as for retail sale in the United States, CBP generally requires a customs informal entry for goods valued under $2,500, and a formal entry for goods exceeding $2,500.  Under the 2015 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), Cuba is a Column 2 country, and is therefore subject to specific duty rates.

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/cbp-public-notice-process-imports-cuba

Thanks! For some reason, I couldn't find it. I guess I didn't look hard enough

[Outdoorguy84]

1 hour ago, Monterey said:

800 dollar tax free, 4% tax (practically nothing) for cigars over that.  You run into complications if you go over 2,500 as technically that is the amount that you are considered to be above personal consumption.

20 limit on customs.  Not a US thing, but a rule in Cuba.  Over that and the cubans are likely to take any cigars over that limit.  Make sure to hold onto the fractura's (receipts)

Awesome, thanks. What does the 20 limit refer to? 

[Bagman]

Custom rolls.  Cigars you buy at the shop that are made at the shop.  Worth getting, but you can only get 20 per person (40 for a couple). 

[Habana Mike]

3 hours ago, Monterey said:

Custom rolls.  Cigars you buy at the shop that are made at the shop.  Worth getting, but you can only get 20 per person (40 for a couple). 

Legislatively it is correct that only 20 unbanded cigars are allowed to be exported out of Cuba - Cuban aduano has the authority to confiscate any more than that as I understand it. 

That said, many people have left the island with a couple hundred. Some have had the excess taken.

Always helps if you can get a Caracol receipt. They won't give you facturas for customs.

[bpm32]

4 hours ago, Habana Mike said:

Legislatively it is correct that only 20 unbanded cigars are allowed to be exported out of Cuba - Cuban aduano has the authority to confiscate any more than that as I understand it. 

That said, many people have left the island with a couple hundred. Some have had the excess taken.

Always helps if you can get a Caracol receipt. They won't give you facturas for customs.

Everyone has their own pet methods and theories: carry-on vs. checked luggage, Terminal 2 vs. Terminal 3. When I went through Cuban customs my guy actually spoke English, but alas I could speak no English or Spanish that day. I did however make a lot of pensive, tooth sucking Asian sounds (despite my not being able to speak an Asian language), and helpfully produced a bunch of non-relevant receipts and documents for various things. About 30 seconds into my painfully sloooow, painfully broken English, they had had enough of me. They did not want to take a guy like that to the back room for a full inspection. But I guess it only works because I look the part.

[mt1]

5 hours ago, Habana Mike said:

Legislatively it is correct that only 20 unbanded cigars are allowed to be exported out of Cuba - Cuban aduano has the authority to confiscate any more than that as I understand it. 

That said, many people have left the island with a couple hundred. Some have had the excess taken.

Always helps if you can get a Caracol receipt. They won't give you facturas for customs.

 

25 minutes ago, bpm32 said:

Everyone has their own pet methods and theories: carry-on vs. checked luggage, Terminal 2 vs. Terminal 3. When I went through Cuban customs my guy actually spoke English, but alas I could speak no English or Spanish that day. I did however make a lot of pensive, tooth sucking Asian sounds (despite my not being able to speak an Asian language), and helpfully produced a bunch of non-relevant receipts and documents for various things. About 30 seconds into my painfully sloooow, painfully broken English, they had had enough of me. They did not want to take a guy like that to the back room for a full inspection. But I guess it only works because I look the part.

I didn't know there was a limit on unbanded cigars going out but that makes me wonder...can I just put some bands on them and we're all good?

[bpm32]

7 hours ago, mt1 said:

 

I didn't know there was a limit on unbanded cigars going out but that makes me wonder...can I just put some bands on them and we're all good?

You would technically need a factura for any banded cigars—that’s a halfsheet-sized receipt that has your name and passport info on it, along with the cigar information. 

[mt1]

11 hours ago, bpm32 said:

You would technically need a factura for any banded cigars—that’s a halfsheet-sized receipt that has your name and passport info on it, along with the cigar information. 

That's news to me, I guess I'll try and get one next time (presumably the cigar shop will give me one?).  I left last time with no paperwork and a ton of cigars without issue.