Making America great again...

[GrouchoM]

Obama lifts restrictions on Cuban rum, cigars | TheHill (http://thehill.com/regulation/administration/300981-obama-lifts-restrictions-on-cuban-rum-cigars)

[Chadderkdawg]

WOOOOO!! Going to Mexico in a couple months, now I won't have to take the bands off! Next step is opening them up to retail shops.

[TreySC]

Does that mean getting them form anywhere? It sounds like it's still if you are personally bringing them back from Cuba, the way it says lifting the current $100.00 limit.

I also wonder how the new FDA regulations will play out if they start allowing US retailers to sell Cubans.

[Ilroy]

I almost don't like this much...right now I'm getting mine tax free. If they ever become legal to sell here, prices will almost double with duties and local taxes.

[Chadderkdawg]

The articles I've read say that you can bring any amount in from any country that sells them.

[jhedrick83]

The articles I've read say that you can bring any amount in from any country that sells them.

I do believe online/phone orders are still a no-no, maybe not for long.


I also wonder how the new FDA regulations will play out if they start allowing US retailers to sell Cubans.

That's why I've changed my tune somewhat to "Viva Embago". FDA is already trying to ruin all the other cigars. I hope they don't start messing around in this space too.

[omahaorange]

I'm pretty sure the only easing was for cigars and rum bought in Cuba. It does not lift the embargo, which is what would need to happen for you to bring them in from Mexico. The initial lifting was to allow a limit of $100 worth of cigars and/or rum, but only from the island. And you.could only visit Cuba for one of only a few reasons, goverment, religious, humanitarian, or family. The only thing the latest easement did was lift the limit on what you could bring back from Cuba, and only for personal use. Travel and other limits still apply.

So don't leave the bands on those ones you buy in Mexico just yet.

[Loki]

While regulations kill off many of the small US companies that make better cigars then cuba. stupid, just stupid

[allusred]

Expect there is/will be a limit on the amount you can declare as for your own use, not for sale or distribution.
Lets say someone brings in three,four boxes of 'higher' priced cigars...duty is X amount...multiply that $$ amount by 1.5 and you might be looking at the lowest cost once Havanas are legally on sale here.

[jhedrick83]

Expect there is/will be a limit on the amount you can declare as for your own use, not for sale or distribution.
Lets say someone brings in three,four boxes of 'higher' priced cigars...duty is X amount...multiply that $$ amount by 1.5 and you might be looking at the lowest cost once Havanas are legally on sale here.

IIRC the limit is 100 cigars valued at $800 or less every 31 days.

[ghe]

The changes in the regulations and duties for Cuban cigars make them the same as for all cigars brought into the country by travelers. It doesn't matter what country the Cuban cigars were purchased in. This also remains the only legal way to bring Cuban cigars into the U.S. Online and mail order sales are not legal, nor is any sale of Cuban cigars in the U.S. The restrictions are that a traveler can bring in to the U.S., for personal use, a maximum of 100 cigars with a value of no more than $800 every 31 days without any duty. Any cigars over that amount are subject to a 4% duty.

[AlanS]

Time to go visit bluenoser

[allusred]

U.S. market off limits

Cuba's tobacco industry saw losses of 129,595,346 USD from April 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016

U.S. market off limits › Cuba › Granma - Official voice of the PCC (http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2016-10-12/us-market-off-limits)