MANNHEIM, Germany (AFNS) -- The Treasury Department reports an increase in the number of people trying to import Cuban cigars into the United States, according to U.S. Customs officials.
However, all Cuban products are banned from the United States, and officials warn that penalties for attempted smuggling include confiscation of the items, fines up to $55,000 per violation and, in appropriate cases, criminal prosecution which may result in higher fines and imprisonment.
A military customs spokesman said U.S. personnel stationed or vacationing in Europe are especially at risk to falling foul of these laws.
"There has been a recent revival of interest in cigars and cigar smoking in Europe," said Norman Kaucher of the European Command's customs executive agency, "and many Europeans buy Cuban cigars because they are traditionally considered to be among the best."
Kaucher added that Cuban products are not banned in Europe, and cigars are openly on sale in many places. Also, more and more Europeans vacation in Cuba, which may lead Americans stationed in Europe to think the U.S. embargo has been loosened.
"This is not the case," Kaucher emphasized.
He added that Americans on shopping sprees to the Czech Republic and Poland should also be wary of buying Cuban products. These former Communist countries have strong trading links with Cuba and sell Cuban merchandise such as cigars and rum.
A Treasury official said only people returning directly from Cuba after a licensed visit there are permitted to bring Cuban cigars into the United States, provided the value of the cigars does not exceed $100 and the cigars are not for resale.
The prohibition against Cuban goods is an element of the comprehensive program of economic sanctions against the Cuban government which have been in place since 1963. Those sanctions have had the support of the last seven U.S. administrations, according to a statement by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers the embargo of Cuba. (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service)