Here's a word straight from the horse's mouth (Customs): Please note , make sure your salesman fills out an appropriately adjusted receipt when you buy your cigars:
"Individuals subject to United States law can travel to the Republic of Cuba if they do so under the auspices of either an OFAC General License or an OFAC Specific License.
Individuals subject to United States law traveling to the Republic of Cuba (with the exception of individuals subject to United States law traveling to the Republic of Cuba on a âfully hostedâ basis) under the auspice of an OFAC General License or OFAC Specific License are authorized to spend up to US$195.00 per day for hotels, meals, ground transportation, etc. Not included in the US$195.00 per day spending limit are expenses for telephone calls. Individuals who are full-time journalists traveling to the Republic of Cuba under a general license from the OFAC may also spend above the US$195.00 for expenses âincidental to journalist activities.â
Exemptions to the US$195.00 per day authorization can be requested from the OFAC. âFully hostedâ travelers are not subject to spending limits while within the Republic of Cuba.
In August 1999, the OFAC increased the Per Diem allowance for employees of the United States government visiting the Republic of Cuba to US$195.00 (US$113.00 for lodging and US$82.00 for meals) from US$183.00 (US$102.00 for lodging and US$81.00 for meals), representing an increase of US$12.00 per day, or 6.16% from the Per Diem rate in effect from 1 December 1996. An increase in the Per Diem reflects an evaluation by the United States Department of State that prices within the Republic of Cuba have increased. Per Diem rates within the Republic of Cuba are based upon the Per Diem Rate For Foreign Areas issued by the Office of Allowances (202-663-1121) within the Office of Operations of the Bureau of Administration of the Under Secretary of Management of the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Individuals (non-employees of the United States government) subject to United States law traveling to the Republic of Cuba under a general license from the OFAC or a specific license from the OFAC were permitted to spend US$100.00 per day (no distinction with respect to lodging and meals) from 1985 through May 1999. Since May 1999, individuals subject to United States law traveling to the Republic of Cuba under a general license from the OFAC or a specific license from the OFAC have been permitted to spend at parity with representatives of the United States government traveling to the Republic of Cuba on official business.
Individuals subject to United States law traveling to the Republic of Cuba under the auspices of either an OFAC General License (excluding âfully hostedâ travelers subject to United States law) or an OFAC Specific License may return from the Republic of Cuba to the United States with up to US$100.00 worth of Republic of Cuba-origin products (such as cigars, rum, tee-shirts, crafts, etc.) for their personal use. For cigars, the United States Customs Service permits up to 100 cigars, but the total value must not exceed US$100.00. For example, if a traveler returns with 100 cigars which cost US$1.00 each, the traveler would not be permitted to bring any other Republic of Cuba-origin products (such as rum) because the total value of imported Republic of Cuba-origin products would then exceed US$100.00. If a traveler purchased 100 cigars for US$50.00, then the traveler would have an additional US$50.00 to spend on other Republic of Cuba origin products such as rum, tee-shirts, crafts, etc. Travelers subject to United States law should retain a receipt showing the amount paid for all Republic of Cuba-origin products."
