On mailing Cuban Cigars from UK to US

Joined Jan 2005
5 Posts | 0+
Can anyone tell me anything about the Cuban cigar laws in the US, I was hoping to send a few singles to a friend in America, is this against the law?

Any information would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
 
They might get through and they might not. You might get on a "watch list" and you might not. It's all up to you, but let me make this clear about what the laws are. I'm not talking about how cigar smokers over here FEEL about Cuban cigars, and indeed some people WOULDN'T smoke one if they had the opportunity, because they support the laws to that extent. Others like me WILL smoke them, because I consider it a "victimless crime," or an ALMOST victimless crime.

But to make it CLEAR about the structure of the laws, CUBAN CIGARS are ILLEGAL here in the United States. I make occasional mention of having tried them. I do not admit to having any on hand at the present time, and I have never had more than five or so on hand at any given time in my possession. I do not discuss the procurement or purchase of these items publicly and I truly do not do it privately either. Every Cuban I have ever smoked has come truly as a surprise and by way of a friend. Anyone in the United States possessing Cuban cigars is doing so ILLEGALLY and is RISKING PROSECUTION if discovered doing so.

Now, having said thus, it is indeed somewhat like getting caught stealing a roll of scotch tape and a box of staples from the job every three months or so. There are supervisors who would write you up and possibly even try to get you fired for doing so, and there are those who would have "tolerance" and "understanding" knowing that "he's not really hurting anybody." That and Cuban cigars is the kind of thing that people have to decide on their own whether or not to deal with in their lives.
 
I am not a cigar smoker, but I do know that it is a political and economic embargo against Cuba because of the human rights violations and other problems with Fidel Castro's communist government. Cigars are not the only thing affected, but they are one of Cuba's largest and most visible export items.
 
Mike hit the nail on the head. It goes back to the infancy of the Castro regime. This country does not do business with Cuba.
 
You would think that that old fart would be gone already. I've always been curious as to whats going to happen in Cuba when castro is gone.
 
There's a lot of speculation, but no one will really know until it happens. Many American companies are gearing up for big business down there, just in case the climate becomes more favorable at some point.
 
Macallum had a post here about the quality of cuban cigars if trade resumes with the US. I hope the quality doesn't suffer. I haven't even scratched the surface yet with these cigars.
 
Don't forget, if trade resumes, they're going to be trying mighty hard to IMPRESS American cigar smokers, not turn them off. You never win customers or make money with inferior product and American cigar smokers, the TRUE cigar smokers, not the "Boomer" smokers like David Letterman & Co., KNOW good cigars.

The TRUE American cigar smokers stuck around after the boom, and that's why you have so many good cigars being produced now, because you don't have pretentious yuppies and curious celebrities trying to impress people and get in on a fad.
 
Bloofington said:
Don't forget, if trade resumes, they're going to be trying mighty hard to IMPRESS American cigar smokers, not turn them off. You never win customers or make money with inferior product and American cigar smokers, the TRUE cigar smokers, not the "Boomer" smokers like David Letterman & Co., KNOW good cigars.

The TRUE American cigar smokers stuck around after the boom, and that's why you have so many good cigars being produced now, because you don't have pretentious yuppies and curious celebrities trying to impress people and get in on a fad.

Very true on this Bloofington. During the boom, it used to upset me with the influx of yuppies and the faux elite into our fold, but like anything else, those of us who are real cigar lovers stiil came out in the end. To me cigar smoking is a TRUE enjoyment that has been passed down in the males of my family. My father learned it from his, and I will pass it on to mine.

And yes there are some great cigars being produced now.

Best To You All Gentlemen.

Barry
 
I had a recollection of the boom but I was not a cigar smoker at the time. My brother turned me into one alittle over 3 years ago.
I agree that Cuba will try and take alot of pride in thier sticks...alot of waiting customers :D
 
MaduroMan70 said:
Bloofington said:
To me cigar smoking is a TRUE enjoyment that has been passed down in the males of my family. My father learned it from his, and I will pass it on to mine.

Best To You All Gentlemen.

Barry

That seems like an excellent tradition to have, my father doesn't smoke and I am really the first to start out of anyone I know. Being only a student it is hard to smoke often, but in a way that makes it all the more special when I do enjoy a cigar because it is all the more valued.
 
mikegunner said:
... Cigars are not the only thing affected, but they are one of Cuba's largest and most visible export items.

Another contrband item is Glenfeddich Gran Reserva 21 year old scotch. It is aged in rum barrels from Cuba. Since it is made with materials from Cuba, it can not be imported into the US.
 
I've often heard that if trying to import TRUE Cuban cigars (be careful of the imposters), one method is to remove the label from the cigars. Since it's nearly impossible to distinguish one cigar from another (I'm talking physically here fellas, not taste), US Customs cannot undeniable prove that the cigars are Cuban or Dominican or Honduran, etc.

Just one method...but you never heard it from me... :roll:
 
I have heard of several people receiving cigars from Europe via postal carrier. So far, none have stated that they never recieved a delivery due to being lost or confiscated. But in the end, it is a no-no to receive them that way. Same with companies in Canada that advertise on the Internet that they ship anywhere, including the US. Buyer beware.

Here is an interesting scenario for everyone to contemplate. What happens if the embargo is in fact lifted? I have a feeling that Cuban cigars will begin to come into the country at such a rate that the rollers in Cuba will not be able to meet the demand. The Cuban government will bring on less skilled rollers to take up the slack. Then the quality of the cigars will begin to decline again. The same can happen with their crops. If they can't meet the immediate surge from the US, they may start using lesser quality leaves. I hope I'm wrong, but the Cuban government is in it for the money, not the quality of the cigars. As far as they are concerned, after such a long embargo, anything the Americans get will be good enough for the Americans. Then of course there will be the flood of fake Cubans. Ahhh, the joys of supply and demand. :x
 
:cryinlaugh:

Ahhhh, Bigg Bosss Mann has joined the marching legions of Cuban Cigar Doomsayers. Yes, if the U.S. lifts the embargo, that'll be the end of good Cuban cigars. A one, anna two, anna three, . . .

:neer: :neer: :cryinlaugh:

I doubt it. They're probably training new rollers right now in anticipation. Light up a Dominican cigar and relax. :sm_angel:
 
They are training new rollers. Problem is they are still in grade school practicing on wooden dowels and small sheets of toilet paper. If they lift the embargo too soon, those kids will be handling the rolling of Montecristos and Cohibas. :shock: :lol:
 
Here is the thread I posted several weeks ago concerning the embargo.

With all the changes over the decades in the cigar industry I have always wondered what effect lifting the embargo would have on the industry. How it would effect demand, not only in cuba but for other great central american cigars. I would be interested in hearing what other people think on the topic.

In my opinion lifting the embargo would not only increase demand of existing smokers but bring new smokers into the market. Of course the demand for cuban cigars would surge overnight and leading to either steep price increases or increased production yielding less than favorable cuban cigars or both. So I guess in that sense it would benefit cigars from honduras, nicaragua, and the dominican as people shop for value and quality.

I guess my hope would be that new blends would enter the market. Guys like Ernesto Parez and Perdomo would get back into the cuban tobacco trade and we would see cigars with cuban wrappers or fillers mixed with tobaccos from other countires. Much the way cigar makers utilize tobacco from several regions throughout the world now. I am sure any cuban purist reading this post is probably smoking from their ears right now but I cant help but think such a cigar would really be amazing.

Anyway enough of my ramble, how do you think Cuba opening would effect the industry? For the better or for the worse?
 
I wonder if you'll see "cuban" and "premium cuban"...

money is a great motivator, especially for a country that had a poor economy. I hope they keep the quality but if the rollers can't do the job...