Buying boxes of cigars in Cuba LCDH

[Gubbins]

I posted a similar question in Cuba forum, but didn’t get much back. I’m heading over there on Sunday so thought I would try again in here…

I’ve been told the cigars are priced in CUC?

Will they therefore accept dollars and CUC, or is it credit cards only?

The reason I ask is that; if you are forced to pay on credit card then you will likely be using the ropey exchange rate and thus be paying a fortune?  

What is the cheapest and best way to do it?

Also if anyone has any updates on recent supply or where the best places to buy in Varadero and Havana are, that would be fantastic.

Thank you!

[NSXCIGAR]

CUC was discontinued in 2021. Since then all prices are in a new currency called MLC which is tied to the USD. The shops don't accept cash. MLC card or bank cards only which will convert MLC to USD and then to your bank currency. If you have a US bank card you will have to buy a reloadable MLC card at a Cadeca. There's one at the airport. The card is $5 and it can be loaded with USD, Euro or CDN converted to USD. Must have exact change or they give change in CUP at 125:1 which is 1/3 less than it's worth street value. 

One caveat is that many if not all the shop systems have changed to a POS that was accepting US bank cards directly as of early March. I personally used my US card at the POS to buy a box at Palco on Mar 2. The charge showed on my statement from an outfit called Islagrande in Canada. I'm not sure if this was a temporary loophole that is still in effect or a long-term change. I wouldn't count on it being possible so I would bring cash in case you have to buy an MLC card. 

As far as CUP, get your host to exchange cash with you at a good rate which should be around 315:1. Worst case is that you'll be subject to the rate of whatever local establishment you go to which as of this weekend was around 300:1, so not too bad. 

As far as stock Havana is usually quite poor. My best advice if you're seriously looking for something to buy is to go out to Pinar. Much more likely you'll find something out there. 

[Gubbins]

10 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

CUC was discontinued in 2021. Since then all prices are in a new currency called MLC which is tied to the USD. The shops don't accept cash. MLC card or bank cards only which will convert MLC to USD and then to your bank currency. If you have a US bank card you will have to buy a reloadable MLC card at a Cadeca. There's one at the airport. The card is $5 and it can be loaded with USD, Euro or CDN converted to USD. Must have exact change or they give change in CUP at 125:1 which is 1/3 less than it's worth street value. 

One caveat is that many if not all the shop systems have changed to a POS that was accepting US bank cards directly as of early March. I personally used my US card at the POS to buy a box at Palco on Mar 2. The charge showed on my statement from an outfit called Islagrande in Canada. I'm not sure if this was a temporary loophole that is still in effect or a long-term change. I wouldn't count on it being possible so I would bring cash in case you have to buy an MLC card. 

As far as CUP, get your host to exchange cash with you at a good rate which should be around 315:1. Worst case is that you'll be subject to the rate of whatever local establishment you go to which as of this weekend was around 300:1, so not too bad. 

As far as stock Havana is usually quite poor. My best advice if you're seriously looking for something to buy is to go out to Pinar. Much more likely you'll find something out there. 

Thanks for that information, I had no clue about most of that.

I'm from the UK and so none of my cards are U.S based. I’m hoping I should be able to use at least one of them.

I have a HSBC Visa debit a Monzo Mastercard debit, and a virgin Mastercard credit card. I’ve read occasionally that Mastercards won’t be accepted in various places. But I’m assuming between those three cards hopefully one of them will be accepted, as I don’t think any of those are U.S affiliated. Do you expect these cards will be able to convert to MLC?

Just to confirm, the CUP change at 125:1 situation, is with regard to when loading up an MLC card? So you give them an amount in cash and they will add it onto the card for you? Give them to much and you get CUP back, is this the same situations with most transactions in Havana? I assume credit cards from home don’t have this issue and work as standard, probably with a charge or two for international payments.

If for whatever reason credit cards fail and I am forced to get a MLC card, are these straight forward to load up? I’m assuming they are loaded up paying direct with cash bills, but aim for exact change.

I have a bunch of custom rolls lined up, so won’t be hunting for anything extravagant. Would just like a few boxes, something like Bolivar PC, Monte4, and maybe a 10box or PSD4, be relatively straight forward to find, between Havana and Varadero would you expect?

Apologies for so many questions! And thanks for taking your time to answer them. Cuba takes a lot more planning than my usual holidays🤪

 

[SUP8333]

Can I also ask - are you allowed multiple boxes regardless the amount as long as you get a official receipt from the store? What about custom rolls? 

[NSXCIGAR]

On 4/10/2024 at 5:39 PM, Gubbins said:

the CUP change at 125:1 situation, is with regard to when loading up an MLC card?

Since you have a non-US bank card you shouldn't need to bother with MLC. But if for some reason none of your cards work and you have to use MLC they can be purchased with GBP (or USD, CDN etc.) CUP is not accepted. But to get the card you need to load an even amount of usually 500 or 1000 USD/MLC. GBP will be converted at a less than fair rate to USD and then converted to MLC. The market rate today is 1.25 GBP: 1 USD but I would expect them to give you no better than 1.20:1.

The CUP only comes in when you need change back. For example you want to load $1000. You give them £800. You get $3 back in change at 125 CUP:1 USD, so 375 CUP. The street rate is 325:1 so you really only got back $1 in change. Bottom line is do not get your CUP from the official offices and bring some smaller GBP notes to avoid getting much change back in CUP. 

You won't get ripped off using your bank card at the POS. The exchange rate you'll see on your statement is market rate and will probably be GBP to USD. 

Remember, only 20 loose sticks are allowed out of Cuba but you can put 20 in your checked bag and 20 in your carry on and they usually won't catch that. Also whatever you can stuff in your pockets. You are allowed to take everything you have store invoices (facturas) for. No limits. 

I really can't tell you what the Varadero stock situation is but Havana is very tough these days. Usually there are a few things in Varadero since they do make a small effort to keep it stocked because of tourists.