New Cuban Exportation Rules

[Jithell]

Hey guys just been on the Cigar Czar forum and this was posted by the owner, who it seems has a lot of involvement in Cuba...

Cuban Customs approved last July a NEW REGULATION aimed at regulating the cigars leaving the Island CARRIED BY TRAVELERS.

According to the NEW REGULATION, EVERY SINGLE TRAVELER can CARRY without trade purposes up to 20 units of loose cigars without papers, invoice or other requirements.
This new provision, dated July 10 and 90 days set for its entry into force, replacing another 2007 regulation that allowed carrying up to 50 cigars in boxes, singly or in harness, without any invoice or other requirements.


Now travelers can carry THOSE LOOSE 20 UNITS OR WITHOUT INVOICE PLUS up to 50 CIGARS that must be contained in the original boxes, closed and sealed with the official warranty seal newly established, requirements without which the export is not allowed

This new regulation will take into effect in October 10th, 2009.

[nicwing]

Just in time for Bryan's arrival then!!!!!!!!!!!

[HabanoSy]

No suprises there then...

and in the words of Deano...

Basts...!!!

Smuggle 'em!, HabanoSy

[skyhigh]

Ah but isn't Bryan going with members of his family, 50 cigars per person and upto 20 singles per person with no need for a receipt. so 70 cigars per person. Buy a box or two, maybe tubos and split them between family members, take some ziplock bags and some beads, et voila. if there is 3 of them thats 210 stogies, 6 full boxes of 25 and 60 singles. that should last him awhile.

[PoohBore]

Is it really going to make any difference ?

You'd be made imho to buy from somewhere you wouldn't be given a receipt.

[Ryan]

.. must be contained in the original boxes, closed and sealed with the official warranty seal newly established, requirements without which the export is not allowed..

This is the biggest change in the new law. "Closed and sealed" means no having a look at your cigars before buying them.
I'm going to Cuba in February, I'm not happy.

[whisky77]

LCDH

I think as long as you are purchasing from a recognised LCDH shop then there should be little need to open the box, although obviously that would be a preffered option.

[PoohBore]

I see - the important detail is the intact seal.
Can a shop apply a new seal ?

I guess once you are airside on your departure you can pick up a few extras and open them to check.

[cbob]

...PLUS up to 50 CIGARS that must be contained in the original boxes, closed and sealed with the official warranty seal newly established, requirements without which the export is not allowed

The actual translation on the aduana Cuba website says :

"wich must be contained in the original cases with all official seals, incluiding the new holographic seal" (their spelling, not mine)

I take this to mean that they want to see the boxes with the new tax seal (which now contains a hologram strip and a bar-coded info number) and it does not specify that the boxes must be "sealed" as in not opened. All the good shops in Havana open the boxes so you (and they) can check the condition and colour of the cigars.

http://www.aduana.co.cu/ropae3.htm

The new regulation also allows 23 loose cigars before you need an official receipt.
I guess we will see for sure in October.

I don't know what will happen with these new seals but it's been common practice for vendors to apply new tax seals and "Habanos" corner seals to previously opened boxes. A friend and I once "sorted" three cabs of cigars in a shop, picking the best looking ones and while we re-packed 25 of them in one cab, the store manager was repacking the "unwanted" cigars into the other two cabs, replacing all those seals and stickers that we are careful to observe intact. I'm sure the cigars were fine but somebody is now enjoying them from a cab that is "not as from the factory".

.

[Habana-Habanos]

I don't know what will happen with these new seals but it's been common practice for vendors to apply new tax seals and "Habanos" corner seals to previously opened boxes. A friend and I once "sorted" three cabs of cigars in a shop, picking the best looking ones and while we re-packed 25 of them in one cab, the store manager was repacking the "unwanted" cigars into the other two cabs, replacing all those seals and stickers that we are careful to observe intact. I'm sure the cigars were fine but somebody is now enjoying them from a cab that is "not as from the factory".

.

That is interesting..

[cbob]

The actual translation on the aduana Cuba website says :

"wich must be contained in the original cases with all official seals, incluiding the new holographic seal" (their spelling, not mine)

http://www.aduana.co.cu/ropae3.htm

The new regulation also allows 23 loose cigars before you need an official receipt.
I guess we will see for sure in October.

UPDATE

Seems I mislead folks with my Aduana Cuba quotes. I now have a copy of the actual resolucion 323-2009 that DOES say 20 loose cigars and Does say that you cannot export sealed boxes unless they have all the correct seals and hologram. You are allowed more than 50 cigars with an official receipt, but again, the Spanish text appears to say "sealed boxes".

My apologies for the misinformation. I guess whoever wrote up the English version of the regs for the Cuban Customs website has mis-read the act.

.

[G-man]

Fifty Lashes

For the Swine !
LMAO ROTF

Holy cow! Imagin if it was Midnight Express? Yowsa!Wrong Info. Cuban Jail
Dear Momma : all is well. Today I had my first lesson from Casteo on how to roll cigars! Not bad except I only have the rest of my life to master the art.

UPDATE

Seems I mislead folks with my Aduana Cuba quotes. I now have a copy of the actual resolucion 323-2009 that DOES say 20 loose cigars and Does say that you cannot export sealed boxes unless they have all the correct seals and hologram. You are allowed more than 50 cigars with an official receipt, but again, the Spanish text appears to say "sealed boxes".

My apologies for the misinformation. I guess whoever wrote up the English version of the regs for the Cuban Customs website has mis-read the act.

.

[snooky]

Dont forget the 5 stogies you will be puffing on at departure |

[cj121]

For the Swine !

LMAO ROTF

Holy cow! Imagin if it was Midnight Express? Yowsa!Wrong Info. Cuban Jail
Dear Momma : all is well. Today I had my first lesson from Casteo on how to roll cigars! Not bad except I only have the rest of my life to master the art.

There might be some plea bargaining to be had if you get any good at it GMan