Paying the Tax man.

[madandana]

While coming through customs in Atlanta in November and as alway being honest about the amount of cigars I was returning with, I was asked for the first time to visit the cashier. I was charge $20 per 25 sticks I was over. They never asked the value and when I lightly protested that it should be 4% of the value they had no desire to discuss it. “It $20 per 25”  They said.  In no mood for a cavity search and unconcerned about the $60 it was going to cost me I paid up.

After I paid I did have conversation with an agent more willing to talk about it and he did give me the supervisors phone number who I’ve yet to call. My new friend said” cigarettes over the limit are always $20 per 25.” I said “I don’t have cigarettes, I have cigars” to which he replied “ oh, I guess I’m not sure about cigars” Again , I didn’t push it because we were Travel weary and just wanted to move on.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to explain the laws to border agents. I’m considering calling that phone number I was given, I just want clarification,I’m not looking for any sort of refund.

Anyone else ever have to pay up in the US? How much?

 

 

 

 

[ponfed]

42 minutes ago, madandana said:

While coming through customs in Atlanta in November and as alway being honest about the amount of cigars I was returning with, I was asked for the first time to visit the cashier. I was charge $20 per 25 sticks I was over. They never asked the value and when I lightly protested that it should be 4% of the value they had no desire to discuss it. “It $20 per 25”  They said.  In no mood for a cavity search and unconcerned about the $60 it was going to cost me I paid up.

After I paid I did have conversation with an agent more willing to talk about it and he did give me the supervisors phone number who I’ve yet to call. My new friend said” cigarettes over the limit are always $20 per 25.” I said “I don’t have cigarettes, I have cigars” to which he replied “ oh, I guess I’m not sure about cigars” Again , I didn’t push it because we were Travel weary and just wanted to move on.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to explain the laws to border agents. I’m considering calling that phone number I was given, I just want clarification,I’m not looking for any sort of refund.

Anyone else ever have to pay up in the US? How much?

 

 

 

 

I know these things are annoying, when instead of answering your question, someone tells you you're lucky and tells them their sob stories.

Well, I can tell you you're lucky. I've been hit by customs twice, and both times I had to pay just over the price of the box in tax and duty.

So go look up the price of 2 cabs of 50 Shorts or the price of 2 boxes of Bolivar Petit Corona, and then imagine receiving only one!

?

(Again sorry about the sob story, couldn't resist;)

[havanaclub]

Count your blessings sir. In Canada 25 cigars would be about 170 dollars in taxes and that is only if they value the cigars at 5 dollars a stick. If they feel they cost 10 per stick, double that tax to 340 per 25 cigars.
They tend to make up their own rules and values as you explain. So I would be happy to pay 60 for all those cigars all day long. Just my 2 cents.


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[SCgarman]

24 minutes ago, havanaclub said:

Count your blessings sir. In Canada 25 cigars would be about 170 dollars in taxes and that is only if they value the cigars at 5 dollars a stick. If they feel they cost 10 per stick, double that tax to 340 per 25 cigars.
They tend to make up their own rules and values as you explain. So I would be happy to pay 60 for all those cigars all day long. Just my 2 cents.


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A reality check! Puts things in perspective.

[madandana]

Yup. I know we’re lucky here in the US. I’m not complaining about the amount. It’s the point of them not knowing/ following the laws.

I had this same issue when applying for global entry. I had to preach the law to them, then when they knew I was right they just said well.... What ever. We don’t make the laws the Treasure Dept. does.

 

 Thanks for the feedback though. Always great to get others view points .

[hedgeybaby]

3 hours ago, NYgarman said:

A reality check! Puts things in perspective.

It's a sin to steal a pin.

And Tax, by God, is theft.

[Puffaholic]

Selected for screening last year flying through Ft Lauderdale... Paid roughly $5 per box over 100 cigar limit...

[Derboesekoenig]

I cannot say that I am surprised they did not know the law. It's true, that is their job, and they should be aware of it. I try to be as knowledgeable as I possibly can in whatever position I am working. Alas, there are a lot of lazy people out there. Can't force everyone to do their job. 

I've been very very lucky coming back stateside. I'm sure I'll get stopped at some point, but thus far they've just seemed too lazy to care. They don't want to do the extra work required to collect the tax. Hey, I'm not complaining...

[Islandboy]

Their interpretations of the law can certainly be interesting.

Driving back into the US from Canada this last summer, through Idaho, I had a hair over 100 sticks, but I had the main boxes in a package that totaled just over 60 (there rest were singles in small tupperware containers stashed in my bags). The agent asked if I had anything to declare, so I offered that I had about 60 Cuban cigars, figuring that was well under the 100 limit, and hopefully wouldn’t prompt further inquiry. He asked to see them, so I pulled the package out of my backpack. He then told me the limit was 50, but he’s feeling generous today, so I was good to go. I said Oh, I thought it was 100. He said nope, 50. I said thank you, and off I went.

I’m just glad he didn’t tax me on the duty based on any of it over $800, jeez, that would’ve been a hefty sum.

[Habana Mike]

Luckily I’ve never been charged while always declaring honestly. 

My name never got called at Jose Marti either though I know someone whose was!

[Habana Mike]

Even got through Grand Cayman with no duties thank the Lord given their duties are 100%

i did have to leave a couple of boxes and bottles in bond overnight though. Just picked them up on the way out 

[Derboesekoenig]

3 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

\\ did have to leave a couple of boxes and bottles in bond overnight though. Just picked them up on the way out 

Is this a thing??? I had no idea this existed...

[Corylax18]

12 hours ago, havanaclub said:

Count your blessings sir. In Canada 25 cigars would be about 170 dollars in taxes and that is only if they value the cigars at 5 dollars a stick. If they feel they cost 10 per stick, double that tax to 340 per 25 cigars.
They tend to make up their own rules and values as you explain. So I would be happy to pay 60 for all those cigars all day long. Just my 2 cents.


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Not a blessing. Democracy in action. Cigars have been exempted from most of the federal tax hikes on other tobaccos. State tobacco taxes vary greatly. Its taken a lot of money, hardwork, and politicians who smoke cigars to get us to this point. 

[stogieluver]

The law has changed so much I think no one knows the current regulation.  Lesson learned here: I would either declare nothing or print the current regulation and keep it with you going through customs.  Of course, they probably singled you out because you look like a suspicious character.  Next time let Dana do the talking.

Thanks for the heads-up. 

[BJRPorter]

12 hours ago, madandana said:

Yup. I know we’re lucky here in the US. I’m not complaining about the amount. It’s the point of them not knowing/ following the laws.

I had this same issue when applying for global entry. I had to preach the law to them, then when they knew I was right they just said well.... What ever. We don’t make the laws the Treasure Dept. does.

 

 Thanks for the feedback though. Always great to get others view points .

Local, state, and federal laws are always based upon the agent enforcing them.

Unfortunately, alerting the supervisor is a waste of time and wishful thinking. 

[Ryan]

In Ireland it's not the value but the weight of tobacco. 50 cigars are allowed duty-free, after that it's about $500 in excise duty + VAT per kilo of tobacco.

A kilo is about 60 double coronas, so about $8.50 per cigar.

Last I heard, in the US, when over the limit, it's a maximum of 40c per cigar or $10 max per box of 25.

You guys have it lucky!

[Habana Mike]

On 12/12/2018 at 7:54 PM, Derboesekoenig said:

Is this a thing??? I had no idea this existed...

Yes, it is a thing. I had many more boxes/bundles and a few more bottles they let me through with. Rule there is you pay duties on what will be consumed or left on the island.

Convinced them I would only smoke local cigars and drink local rum while there, take all mine off the island next day!