I've traveled all through europe and shipped cuban cigars back to the US with no problem. I'm heading down to Rio for New Years and would love to ship some back for late xmas gifts. I realize that shipping from South America is much more likely to be flagged and checked than from Europe. Is this a good idea? What are other mongers experience with this? Thanks in advance for any help.

Unless things have changed recently, there was a US customs rule last I looked (app. 2 years ago) that you could not bring in cigars from a country that you haven't visited. Eg, bringing back Cuban cigars from a quick trip to TJ is a no-no. I would think it would be even worse when shipped -- tobacco products are near always taxed, so there is slim chance a customs declaration form on a package with any reference to a tobacco product is going to pass unnoticed. I'm impressed your stuff from Europe got through without incident.

Years ago, someone sent me some bidis from India (tobacco wrapped in betel leaf). They cost my friend about $2 to purchase and $3 to ship. I had to pay $15 duty. I can't imagine what the duty would be these days.

(Message edited by bendejo on November 09, 2008)

I was always under the impression that if you held a US passport and in posession of Cubans coming through US customs (regardless of where you traveled to or bought it) you were in trouble.

I also had heard that if you did not posess a US passport that this prohibition did not apply.

Below is the statement from DHS/CBP specifically stating that a US traveler is prohibited which leads me to believe that both statements above true.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/restricted/cuban_cigars.xml

(Message edited by abramom on November 10, 2008)

I wasn't planning a carrying them, but shipping. When I've shipped from Europe I stated that they were chocolates. I don't want to get the intended recipients in trouble so it looks like it might be the case now. Thanks for the responses.

Hopefully, the Cuban embargo will be history soon and this sort of nonsense will end.

From what I can make out, and have no intention of testing myself, the penalty for lying to a Federal official, or on a gov't form, would be more severe than for bringing in Cuban cigars.

I've carried hundreds of boxes across customs in the U.S. over the years and had them discovered twice and seized only once.

I don't declare anything. When they ask, I tell them no. If they look, I play stupid. "Oh, those"?. "I didn't think you meant those".

I really wish the Cuban-Americans and the Cubans would work out their problems between themselves and leave the rest of us out of it...