Canadian buying Cuban Cigars and Rum - Questions...?

Question

Hi there,

I'm a Canadian travelling to Holguin, Cuba for vacation at a resort this Friday. Some friends want me to pick up some genuine Cuban cigars (Sancho Panza Coronas and Montecristo No. 4 Marevas) and Rum. I have a few questions:

- Where should I buy the cigars? Do they charge you a lot more at the airport for them? How much approx. should they cost?

- How many boxes of cigars am I allowed to bring back to Canada? Does it matter if I have a receipt?

- How many litres or bottles of Rum can I bring back?

Thanks in advance everyone!!!

Answer 1

I believe it's 50 cigars and1.5 litres of rum, but I usually bring back 2 bottles with no problem. Check the Canada customs site below it should fill you in. I'm off to Rio Luna y Mares, holguin on November 30. enjoy yourselves, if it's your first visit chances are you will be back. Don't buy on the beach, but at a real cigar store there will be one at your resort. Prices at the airport won't be cheaper. They aren't cheap either although cheaper than what you would pay at home.

Answer 2

Your best resource for answering the questions you have about cigars and rum would be the Canadian Customs authorities (they probably have a website that speaks to these issues).

I returned only a few days ago from Varadero and I can tell you, travel and airports are a pain. The last thing you want is to run foul of the laws and subsequently taint or ruin your vacation memory.

Our tour to Havana (I don't know if you'll be going there) took us to reputable cigar outlets and a rum factory. Their information (their prices, too) is dependable. As far as cigars go, do not buy from hucksters. You're better off at the established stores and airport. And as for rum, you're allowed only 1 40-oz (1 litre) per person. They won't bother you if you had 2-750 mls.(26 oz.). Of course people get away with more, but on the off chance you do get searched, you'll have to face a hefty bill -- or more dire consequences.

Answer 3

In Cuba are more counterfeit cigars circulating
than originals. Why ? A real , original brand cigar cost 5 up to 10 CUC (peso concertible)
At this moment a peso convertible equals roughly 1 Canadian dollar. Cohiba is one of the most expensive, A box will cost you 400-500
dollar. The originals are only sold in the state owned cigars shops named " La Casa del Habanao" ,in the official state owned factories and in some major tourist hotels. The cigars you buy on the streets,in a bar etc. are fake ,counterfeit cigars made from tabacco waste and banana leaves. The average price for a (fake brand cigar) street cigar is 1 peso convertible. Prices at the airport are the same as the price in the offical state shops. Rum can be bought almost everywhere. When you buy the more expensive rum bottles 7 year and 12 year old , check the metal sealing. (counterfeits are circulating) Most countries allow an import of 25 cigars and 1 bottle of rum, but regulations are subjet to change check this on the Canadian Customs website.
Have nice trip, enjoy
Havanalover
read more at http://www.havana-guide.com

Answer 4

Not sure what the Canadian law is on the amount of rum and cigars you can take back but in England we can bring 2 litres of rum back from Cuba and 25 cigars, we bought our cigars at a cigar factory in Havana but didn't find them any more expensive at the airport, same with the rum, I wouldn't risk taking either back to Canada without a receipt just on the off chance customs decide to check you luggage, always better to be safe than sorry and why should your holiday be spoilt by you having to pay excess on cigars and rum for your friends, have a fabulous time, can't wait to go back to Cuba myself at Easter.

Answer 5

I do not know about the canadian law , you need to find out before you leave canada , however Cuba only allows you to take 50 cigars with proper receipt ( invoice) that the factory will give you ,and that is where I only recomend you to buy them and there is a lot fake ones "floating" around, anyways here is the cuban customs website for a more complete info:

Answer 6

Monte Cristo Cigars Canada

Answer 7

If you are leaving Cuba with more than 23 cigars, you need to have an official receipt, or they can be confiscated by Cuban customs. (Including opening your checked in baggage, and calling you to provide the evidence.)