Cigars Expected to Miss Upcoming Nicaraguan Tariffs

[El Presidente]

https://tobaccoreporter.com/2025/12/11/cigars-expected-to-miss-upcoming-nicaraguan-tariffs/

Cigars Expected to Miss Upcoming Nicaraguan Tariffs

The U.S. government’s newly announced 15% tariff on select Nicaraguan imports is not expected to apply to cigars, according to industry sources and trade officials. The tariffs—introduced as part of a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) investigation into Nicaragua’s human rights violations—will apply only to products not covered by the CAFTA-DR trade agreement, which shields qualifying Nicaraguan cigars that meet “Rules of Origin” requirements.

Under the schedule, affected goods will face 0% additional tariff in 2026, 10% in 2027, and 15% in 2028, on top of an existing 18% Trump-era tariff that remains tied up in ongoing litigation. Should both apply, some products could face 33% tariffs by 2028, though cigars are widely expected to remain exempt as long as CAFTA-DR protections stand.

[JohnS]

Wow, some bit of good news for us cigar enthusiasts!

[smashed]

6 hours ago, JohnS said:

Wow, some bit of good news for us cigar enthusiasts!

ITS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! 😝

[Gemini_Man]

This really is a breath of fresh air given all the cost increases and over regulation sweeping the cigar industry.