Posted on 10/06/2004 1:13:23 PM PDT by martin_fierro
US tightens ban on Cuban cigars
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s administration has tightened a ban on Americans importing Cuban cigars.
"There is now an across-the-board ban on the importation of Cuban-origin cigars," said a notice released this week by the Treasury Department (news - web sites)'s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Previously, the rules allowed Americans licensed to travel to Cuba to bring back to the United States up to 100 dollars' worth of Cuban goods, including cigars.
That loophole was closed in the latest regulations.
The anti-Cuban cigar rules were already strict.
For example, Americans are barred from buying a Cuban cigar in other countries, even to smoke it outside the United States.
"The question is often asked whether United States citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States may legally purchase Cuban goods, including tobacco and alcohol products, in a third country for personal use outside the United States," the notice said. "The answer is no."
Breaking the rules can lead to criminal penalties, including fines of up to one million dollars for corporations and 250,000 dollars for individuals and up to 10 years in prison, the department said.
But they're a communist country with hostile intentions towards us and a terrible human rights record. That means we can't trade with them. Oh, wait...
is that like the urban legend whereby the guy filed an insurance claim for 25 rare cigars that were destroyed by fire?
The insurance company denied the claim, but it was upheld in court under a technicality. So the insurance company cut him a check at 205 bucks a pop.
When he cashed the check, he was arrested - for arson!
not really true, but a great story!
Good. Those things are always loose and keep falling off. I like it to leave it on the cigar so people can see a got a real Cuban stogie.
I too can't wait till fidel departs. but wouldn't it be grand is havana was able to return to it's former splendor? never happen, but - ahh! - the possibilities!
"Why do we restrict Cuba so much? Why cant we travel there and buy things from there?
Red Communist China is the real enemy, the real threat. We should ban imports and exports of all kinds, esp anything involving technology or manufacturing capabilities, i.e. we should have absolutely no trade at all with china. Anyone who buys anything made in china, should be prosecuted. Anyone who helps china build a factory or who gives china any technoolgy should be sent to prison for a very long time."
/s>
Because daddy said so.
You better watch out Rush, I smell another search warrant.
"Americans are barred from buying a Cuban cigar in other countries, even to smoke it outside the United States.
Oh, well, I guess that makes me a criminal."
I like Cuesta Reys ... All kinds.
Are we really free?
If you have to ask...
I think the superior quality of Cuban cigars is a thing of the past and largely the hype lives on without merit.
There are many Cubans that are very good, but there are also many that don't come close to the quality of some of the better Dominican and Honduran cigars of the past few years.
The competitve advantage Cuba once had is, if not completely gone, pretty close to it.
I recently bought a box of criollo conquistadors. not really what i would consider mild, but a bit small in size. I had one last night that was nice - forget what it was tho.
I took advantage of the "free cigars" from drudge about a week or so ago, so I should be getting another sampler soon.
Fuente'e 8-5-8's are a good locally available stogie.
I have had many an excellent Cuban cigar and some mid-rate ones. Have a sizable stash in my humidor from my travels abroad. But Dominicans are best out there now and have been for a while.
You are free to do as the government says you should do. The list just gets shorter, that's all.
No true ownership of real estate in America. Singing to the choir.
I dont think if we bought some cigars or sugar from cuba, or if we re-opened up the hotels and casinos, that cuba would be any greater threat to us at all.
On the other hand, if we give dollars to china, if we build factories over there, and give them technology, then they will be much stronger and a much greater threat to the people of the United States.
Red communist china is not our friend, and neither are the communist leaders of china.
If something says made in china, dont buy it.
I'm stunned that preventing Americans from consuming goods outside of the USA's borders is even constitutional.
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