Impending Rule Changes For Taking Cigars out of Cuba

[El Presidente]

This only affects those leaving Havana with cigars and no papers.

Many of us pick up Custom rolled cigars when in Havana. The current limit is 50 cigars without Government Invoice. (5 boxes with invoice)

HSA & Customs have got together and will reduce that quantity to 20 come sometime in October.

[aavkk]

That's interesting, I don't recall ever seeing a 50 cigar cap via FOH

[El Presidente]

That's interesting, I don't recall ever seeing a 50 cigar cap via FOH

With the exhorbitant salaries of my team and the cash flow bottomless bucket which is my family....I have more financial commitments that HSA

[kjellfrick]

Rob, since when is the limit 5 boxes with invoices? No such limit was enforced last year, as witnessed by me and my four pals.

[cadillacdoc]

HSA & Customs have got together and will reduce that quantity to 20 come sometime in October.

That sucks! Sad thing is custom sticks are the main reason I go there. This very well could stop my trips!

[Ken Gargett]

Rob, since when is the limit 5 boxes with invoices? No such limit was enforced last year, as witnessed by me and my four pals.

i think it has been 5 boxes for some time. obviously, they don't get anyone but i reckon i've been called down to the bowels of the airport to talk to customs on nearly 3/4s of my trips. as soon as i show the paperwprk, no problem but i have been there while plenty of travellers are wailing and screaming as they see their cigars confiscated. they are quite strict.

bizarrely tho, the individual stick limit was 23, i think, for quite a while and then not so long ago went to 50 and now back again. i have never had any problem with them worrying about individual sticks and invoices etc but may be it is about to start.

[El Presidente]

Rob, since when is the limit 5 boxes with invoices? No such limit was enforced last year, as witnessed by me and my four pals.

You got them on a good day Kjell

Normally you can get away by puting 5 boxes and photocopied paperwork with your check in. Another 5 boxes as carryon and Invoices. Same for Custom rolled.

The problem for us here is paying duties when you get back.

[kjellfrick]

You got them on a good day Kjell

Normally you can get away by puting 5 boxes and photocopied paperwork with your check in. Another 5 boxes as carryon and Invoices. Same for Custom rolled.

The problem for us here is paying duties when you get back.

I'm almost in a retrospective cold sweat here, Rob, considering the amount of boxes we each presented to them down in the basement. It was kind of fun to hear the names of everyone in our group called down for luggage inspection. They sure must have been in a good mood, lol! Or could it be that the rules changed after feb 2008? At the time we were under the impression that the limit was based on value, not number of boxes, and that you could export goods for quite a large amount of dolares...

Thanks for the info, though, it's sure something to keep in mind for the next trip to Cuba. As for crossing the home land border...tip-toeing past the customs while holding your breath isn't easy while dragging cases full of cigars, but that's what we did!

[PigFish]

More stupid attempts to cover up the real issue of selling around legitimate distributors! - The Pig

[puros71]

Really? Well Im headed next week so I better stock up while Im there. Going for 2 weeks usually bring back customs and a boxes.

[Nino]

That sucks! Sad thing is custom sticks are the main reason I go there. This very well could stop my trips!

Same here, what a shame, custom sticks are the main attraction of my trips as well .................