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Tiki Central / Tiki Drinks and Food / first time Cuban rum , oh the joy.

Post #387094 by Camano Mermaid on Sun, Jun 15, 2008 9:16 AM

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It is illegal to bring anything back from Cuba to this country, but I have. Before 9/11 and the little plastic bag issue it was a lot easier. Most people enter Cuba by way of Mexico, Canada, or a Caribbean country. I went on a day trip from Jamaica. Flew in a very old rickety Russian Yak (prop plane). Very scary, but the minute we took off the rum cart came down the aisle. Big glass bottles of Havana Club. Unlimited for the short flight. Then they took us already half tipsy to the distillery that used to be owned by the Bacardi family (now Havana Club). Lots more free tastings. Bought a couple of bottles, and some good Cuban cigars. Remember vaguely sending myself a post card from Santiago de Cuba that said "Been here, done rum". It took 2 months to arrive to my home in LA. I mixed the rum with my Jamaican booze purchases and breezed through customs in Miami. Not so easy now with all the rules, red tape, and Xray machines. One time my husband and I smuggled 12 bottles back vs the 4 we would have been allowed.
Depending on where you live it's still possible to get across border from either Canada (easier) or Mexico, but you never know if border crossing guards will decide to search. We look like old foggies now so we get away with it.
Just got back from a trip to Puerto Vallarta last week. Lots of Cuban rum there, and we got 4 liters at the airport that were put in a sealed bag. When we landed at LAX we had to transfer to our checked luggage after customs. Fortunately we had lots of towels and dirt laundry and all 4 bottles made it safely back to our home in WA state.

All I can say is good luck and don't get caught. The price is high. Jail time possibly, especially if they find out you actually went to Cuba. Another great reason to get rid of BUSH and all the stupid Republicans who want to keep us out of Cuba.