Post #195096 by Digitiki on Thu, Oct 27, 2005 9:44 AM

I haven't read any legal wording on this issue, but it is my understanding that "officially" Cuban products are banned from the U.S. (at least for direct sales and commercial importation). However, I have had a few friends who have actually traveled to Cuba (during the Clinton administration, when travel restrictions were looser). They were legally able to bring back a small amount of Cuban Rum and cigars (can't remember how much, but it was very limiting on the number of cigars). The thing to remember is this rule of thumb:
You are legitimately purhcasing a legal product in the country you are visiting (Canada, Mexico, etc.) AND that legal product should have to follow U.S. customs laws for the country of purchase (excluding illegal drugs and weapons of course). Therefore, if you are legally allowd to bring back 1 2 bottles of booze from Mexico, the Cuban rum should count. As I stated in a previous thread on this subject, my wife and I go to Mexico and frequently bring back 2 bottles of Havan Club 7 year old rum. Not a single problem. Besides, customs officials are way to busy looking for narcotics and the like.