Can I mail Cuban cigars from Canada to the US?

Question

Im visiting family in Canada, and want to get some Cubans to smoke with my friend. I dont want them taken at customs so i was going to mail them to myself. Im not looking to get a box just 2-4 cigars.

Answer 1

It is illegal to obtain Cuba cigars in the U.S. but maybe the Post Office won't catch this.

I used to purchase them in Nassau and put them in my pocketbook and go right thru customs.

Answer 2

You cannot do it legally.  When you mail yourself a package from Canada to the US, you have to declare what is in the package.  As others have suggested, many people do take illegal things across borders using all kinds of tricks, but my motto is "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."

Answer 3

It's illegal; if you get caught it's a federal offence and you're looking at jail time.

Answer 4

DON'T GET CAUGHT, no you CAN NOT legally mail ANY amount of Cuban cigars to the USA.

Know the Risks:

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, (Revised September 30, 2004) are administered and enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Criminal penalties for violation of the Regulations can go as high as $1 million for corporations, and $250,000 for individuals plus up to 10 years in prison. In addition, civil penalties of up to $65,000 per violation can be imposed by OFAC.

LMAO, is it really worth all that just for a puff on a cigar. I'm not saying it can't be "smuggled" but if customs opens the package, you are in trouble.

OH BY THE WAY= it has been said that if you only have a small amount of cigars, up to 10,  you can avoid any hassles at customs by removing the labels.    

"It remains illegal for US residents to purchase or import Cuban cigars[11], although they are readily available across the northern border in Canada, and small quantities can in practice be brought back without trouble from US Customs if the bands are removed prior to crossing."

Answer 5

If by any means an American's money ends up in the hands of the Cubans they have committed a crime.  Technically it would be illegal to buy Cuban cigars in Canada.  

Smoke them in Canada.  Just don't go and blow the smoke through the fence at the US embassy or anything.  It's not worth the risk or effort to try to import such a small amount.  Especially cigars from Canada which are most likely counterfeit.

Answer 6

Any products from Cuba are illegal in the USA, as there is a trade restriction with them.

However, I do know a couple of people who have purchased true Cuban cigars in Canada, removed the labels and replaced them with labels from cigars in the Dominican Republic, then brought them across to USA no problem.

Of course, I would NEVER recommend that you try to cheat or bypass an embargo or trade restriction. The regulations are there for a reason.

Answer 7

What they say are Cuban cigars are often counterfeits and no good.............just smoke them up there because customs watches the mail too..........I know it all doesn't make sense, and those popular 222 aspirin, which are the best I've ever found, are confiscated as "dope"........crazy crazy crazy..........

Answer 8

No you cant .If you are American you are not even supposed to have them no matter what country you are in.

Answer 9

Technically its illegal and you run the risk of getting a letter from Customs, but in reality, you'll just lose the smokes.

Answer 10

Not the best idea! Hang on there - the Castro Bros are not spring chickens and when they are gone and the present US government is gone, things may change.