Question on buying Cuban cigars

[dyurkosr]

Since I am pretty new to cigars and have never smoked a real Cuban, I would like to know how safe and "legal" it is to buy Cubans over the internet from a distributor in say the UK? There seems to be so many web sites, some of which are listed here on our site that sell Cubans. I'm not too interested in having the Federal Agents showing up at my door with a battering ram kicking my door in for a few good smokes! :0 Dan

 

[dpenix76]

Defenitely not legal and probably not too safe.

 

[PuroEsq]

There is a board policy posted somewhere regarding the discussion of purchasing Cuban cigars. However, your quesiton is a bit different as you are not asking for a source or discussing the trading or such of these cigars.

The Federal Law prohibits the sale, purchase and possession of any Cuban products. That means that even if an internet company not located in the USA sells these it does not make it OK to buy from them. This is true even if you are out of the country as well when you make the purchase as the law applies to all US citizens within or outside the county. Some sites claim that they sell them legally within the US and that is pure BS.

The penalties for violation of the Federal Law concerning Cuban products include huge fines and imprisonment. However, from what I ahve heard lately most people have been getting a cease and desist letter . . . and of course no cigars . . . when their shipment is stopped at the boarder.

Remember the Feds have internet too and they know where all of the internet cigars shops are and where they sell from.

Too many good NC cigars to be preoccupied with the Cuban stogie (aka: ISOM) Buy Doms, Hondurans, etc and you will be just fine.

 

[Infinity]

Since I am pretty new to cigars and have never smoked a real Cuban, I would like to know how safe and "legal" it is to buy Cubans over the internet from a distributor in say the UK? There seems to be so many web sites, some of which are listed here on our site that sell Cubans. I'm not too interested in having the Federal Agents showing up at my door with a battering ram kicking my door in for a few good smokes! :0 Dan

This has been discussed in depth, use the search facility.

The short answer - it is illegal to purchase or posses Cuban cigars in the US.

This forum is international. BOTL's from Canada, Europe and elsewhere are free to indulge in the forbidden fruit. The sponsor banners are for the benefit of these people.

Brian

 

[QuePsiPhiSmkr]

Refer to the US Treasury website and see how safe it is to buy Cubans... By the way, you dont have to wait for the feds to come to your door because after reading your thread they will be confiscating your package....

 

[tkoepp]

Def not safe nor recommended...

Also read Rod's post regarding Cubans

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

We've seen an increase in wants/sales of Cuban cigars recently. While we are an international cigar forum with members from countries other than the USA, we advise you do not discuss sources, nor post sales/wants for Cuban cigars publicly on the forum if you are located in the USA. With the increased exposure of Castro and the current state of Cuba, it is highly advisable you do not engage in any trade of cuban related products. If you wish to engage in such activities, please do it legally. Be aware of who you are trading with. Trading with established members is advisable. Trading with a new member is highly unadvisable.

FAILURE TO COOPERATE WILL RESULT IN THE TERMINATION OF YOUR ACCOUNT!

Thank you,
CigarPass

 

[QuePsiPhiSmkr]

Since I am pretty new to cigars and have never smoked a real Cuban, I would like to know how safe and "legal" it is to buy Cubans over the internet from a distributor in say the UK? There seems to be so many web sites, some of which are listed here on our site that sell Cubans. I'm not too interested in having the Federal Agents showing up at my door with a battering ram kicking my door in for a few good smokes! :0 Dan

By the way "Dan," you forgot to put your last name. The feds dont have computers..... :laugh:

 

[drew_goring]

I have a quick off topic question. Hypothetically of course, could I as a Canadian citizen residing in Canada be in any sort of legal troubles if I was "caught" sending an ISOM to a resident of the USA?

Now how about if I brought a couple sticks with me across the border for my personal consumption? Could the prosecute me in the USA under USA law?

any answers or comments would be appreciated.

 

[Blue Dragon]

I have a quick off topic question. Hypothetically of course, could I as a Canadian citizen residing in Canada be in any sort of legal troubles if I was "caught" sending an ISOM to a resident of the USA?

Now how about if I brought a couple sticks with me across the border for my personal consumption? Could the prosecute me in the USA under USA law?

any answers or comments would be appreciated.

Well, the short answer would be yes and yes. Chances are you would be asked not to bring them across the border if declared.

The short answer - it is illegal to purchase or posses Cuban cigars in the US.

Careful; I'm pretty sure it is purchase, import, etc., not posess. Or else how would one explain the "special permits" that were allowed for educators, etc., and that those people were allowed to bring back $X amount of stuff before 2004?

 

[dyurkosr]

OK,OK I GET THE POINT GUYS! I was looking for real information, thank you JAEwing and other BOL with good information. I didn't need the sarcasam QuePsiPhiSmkr. I joined this forum for education and to build relationships with fellow cigar smokers. If I don't know, I ask. Thanks, DAN

 

[VotTak]

Actually there is a legal way to purchase, posess and consume cigars made from cuban tabaco. The truth is that most of cigars rolled in USA in pre embargo times were using cuban tabaco. So, you can legaly buy those and smoke them. I remember saw the website of one collector who legally sells these in USA. Sorry, I could not find his site at this moment.
But I believe that it is the only legal way to smoke cigars made out of cuban tabaco at this point.
Not surehow good theses are and what is the price range and whether it makes sense... but that was not your question.

 

[Ginseng]

Or you could buy some Pinar 3000's or A/R Robaina's.

I don't know if you read Cigar Magazine but Lew Rothman launched another diatribe against the purveyors of "cigars containing authentic pre-embargo Cuban tobacco."

Wilkey

 

[VotTak]

And i'd understand him. Besides noone states how much "cuban tabaco" is in the cigar. At least in ratio. I assume that they add "cuban tabaco" to the blend like we are adding salt to our food. But at least salt is noticable
:blush:

 

[Ginseng]

And i'd understand him. Besides noone states how much "cuban tabaco" is in the cigar. At least in ratio. I assume that they add "cuban tabaco" to the blend like we are adding salt to our food. But at least salt is noticable
:blush:

Nope. Pinar 3000 claims to be 100% PECT and A/R Robaina claims to contain 40% PECT. Considering that the Pinar 3000 can be found in about a zillion stores both B&M and online, it stands to reason that the manufacturers are outright lying or have manipulated the language specifically to mislead. Lew believes that there is no other possible explanation.

Wilkey

 

[VotTak]

"My canadian friend" tried Pinar and did not like it at all... besides "my canadian friend" said that these do not remind him bout any cuban cigar he's ever smoked

 

[Gonz]

For Canadian reference, I recall recently on a cruise throughout the islands that since the itinerary ended in Miami, no one, regardless of nationality was allowed to purchase items of Cuban manufacture or origin. And I think someone asked about having Cuban cigars with them because they were Canadian, and it was explained that they are illegal in the US regardless.

Bummer

 

[Zeebra]

And i'd understand him. Besides noone states how much "cuban tabaco" is in the cigar. At least in ratio. I assume that they add "cuban tabaco" to the blend like we are adding salt to our food. But at least salt is noticable
:blush:

Great avatar Wilkey, your daughter is getting cuter and cuter.

 

[tigger]

I joined this forum for education and to build relationships with fellow cigar smokers.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but posting a question that flies in the face of a specific request our host has made and then getting surly about the responses you get won't do a whole lot for you in the relationship building department.

In my experience, a "You know what? I made a mistake," goes a whole lot farther. And I've had to do that more than I'd care to admit in my life.

 

[Ginseng]

I joined this forum for education and to build relationships with fellow cigar smokers.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but posting a question that flies in the face of a specific request our host has made and then getting surly about the responses you get won't do a whole lot for you in the relationship building department.

In my experience, a "You know what? I made a mistake," goes a whole lot farther. And I've had to do that more than I'd care to admit in my life.

Tigger,

You are a man of understated eloquence. :thumbs:

Wilkey

 

[tigger]

You are a man of understated eloquence.

Thank you sir. It's only on the internet though.