Cuba, cigars, dollars and customs.?

Question

Ok this is my last question of the day so I'll put it all together. I wanna go to Cuba to buy Cohiba Cigars. my question is how do I change dollars to pesos. Then when I get the cigars what do they mean when they say to remove all the bands, and then how do I pass through customs? thx.

Answer 1

I'm Cuban and recently went to Cuba. First don't exchange the dollars for pesos, exchange them for chavitos, which are like the Cuban dollar. Without chavitos, you can't buy at any of the stores. Also, there are taquillas, which are basically little places where you can exchange the dollars. You can also go to any bank. Remove the bands is remove the little slogan of the brand at the end of the tabacco, so it can be smoked. Customs is not a very difficult thing. It's just a very lively place, people talk really loud, dance and party a lot. Be careful if you go under a building where people live at since they tend to throw buckets of water, specially on holidays. I hope this helps and enjoy your trip.

P.S - I know it has nothing to deal with your question, but if you go to Cuba Make sure to go to Varadero. It's like the best beach in the world.

Answer 2

I assume you aren't in the USA? If your only purpose to going there is for Cuban cigars, why not just go to Canada? Canada has free trade with Cuba. I wouldn't buy them in the Caribbean or Mexico due to too many counterfeits. They take American dollars in Cuba with I believe it is a 10% surcharge. As far as customs go, a land crossing back into the USA is the only safe way I am aware of. If you've visited other countries on your trip you may possibly be able to convince a customs agent that you bought your cigars in another country and they aren't a true Cuban cigar. Thats all I can tell you with the limited info you provided. It is a serious crime if you are caught bringing them into the USA!

Answer 3

I do not knwo how to pass them tru customs , they went thru every little detail on my lugage when i came from Cuba in May , so good luck there, anyways I can help u with the other part of the question , you change your US dollars at the airport on your arrival , there are xchange currency cabins open all day called CADECAS, they are also around the city , the ratio is 1.00 usd = 0.80 CUC , you would loose 20% of each dollar ( is 10% tax and 10 % what ever they want to call it they say is a "gravamen " what ever that means ).

Mr Roger may want to rephrase himself ; they loved the dollar , now they love cuc as the dollar is not allowed in almost any establishment, only cuc or euros.

Answer 4

Just because cigars are Cuban, it doesn't mean they're any good. When vacationing in Yucatan Mexico, I bought a 5-pack of Cuban cigars. They tasted terrible, harsh, bitter. Poor aroma too. So beware, dear Canadian, and good luck.

Answer 5

You don't need to declare them at customs. I mean you are suppossed to, but I never declare anything, and so far all has been fine.....Get pesos at any exchange place, bank, hotel, airport, etc (US, Cuba, or whatever country you are entering Cuba from).

Answer 6

man well there are places here in the states where you can change the dollars to pesos...you hide them as good as posible.

Answer 7

no....take the dollars with you....they love it!!


you cant bring the Cohiba with you....US Customs will take them....furthermore, you have to travel thru a secondary country to go to Cuba....like...Canada or Mexico...

don't let the Cuban government stamp your US passport, please....

Answer 8

there are exchange places here to use before you leave. if they say remove all the bands they will show you how and you will pay duty on them and they will tell you all that.

Answer 9

Go to Canada. Change US to canadian.

Pose as a canadian and you can go to Cuba.

You'll have to get a fake passport... and if you get caught you can be shot as a spy.

Answer 10

Um you shouldnt even buy cigs unless you want cancer.