Cuban officials try to snuff out traffic in contraband cigar

[Jimmy2]

Cuban officials try to snuff out traffic in contraband cigars

HAVANA · Cuban customs officials seized almost 25,000 boxes of contraband cigars last year in efforts to decrease smuggling of the world-famous smokes, the island's domestic news agency AIN reported Tuesday.

Travelers to Cuba can leave the island with 23 cigars without receipts, but for any amount above that, they must have proof of purchase from cigar stores approved by Habanos S.A., Cuba's cigar marketing firm.

Cigars are one of the island's most important exports, worth about $340 million annually. But the prestige of Cuban cigars and a rise in tourism in recent years have combined to increase the black market for the product, prompting customs agents to tighten their controls.

[Ginseng]

» Cuban officials try to snuff out traffic in contraband cigars

»

»

» HAVANA · Cuban customs officials seized almost 25,000 boxes of contraband

» cigars last year in efforts to decrease smuggling of the world-famous

» smokes, the island's domestic news agency AIN reported Tuesday.

»

» Travelers to Cuba can leave the island with 23 cigars without receipts,

» but for any amount above that, they must have proof of purchase from cigar

» stores approved by Habanos S.A., Cuba's cigar marketing firm.

»

» Cigars are one of the island's most important exports, worth about $340

» million annually. But the prestige of Cuban cigars and a rise in tourism

» in recent years have combined to increase the black market for the

» product, prompting customs agents to tighten their controls.

Wow,

A couple of gray market vendors are gonna be lean on stock for a while. :-|

Wilkey

[Ken Gargett]

almost every time i have left havana airport, i've been dragged downstairs and thoroughly checked, even when that has coincided with the festival where they say they give some leeway. no doubt partly for fakes but also to make sure i had all paperwork and didn't have more than the number allowed (5 boxes, 23 individual sticks). i have always complied with that and eventually no problem though on one occasion they delayed me so long that my luggage missed my flight, though it still got back to australia before i did (explain that, qantas). the only time i have exceeded was last visit when i had my stock but then got given a heap of individual sticks at the last moment by some roller friends and so was way over the 23. it was the only time they just counted boxes.