Cuba Trip for rookie...

Greetings,
My boss is taking a trip down to Cuba next week, and has offered to bring me back cigars! Being an amateur cigar smoker, and her being a complete rookie, I was wondering a few things:
1) What can I tell her so she doesn't buy fake cigars or crap... Any good sites I can read up on or she can so that her trip to Cuba won't be a full hunt on cigars for me and just a few easy spotters??
2) How much money should I give her? Law says she can bring back 50, and she wont be bringing back any for herself...

Thanks all...

[ckay]

1. Partagas and RyJ have factory stores. There is also an LCDH in the Havana Libre Hotel. For a one stop shop, the LCDH is your best bet.

2. Depends on whether she will bring back to cabs of 25 or singles, and you will have to determine this. In any event, I'd give her $500 and tell her you'll make up the deficit if you want 50 sticks.

I'd allocate the 50 sticks in this manner:

10 Montecristo No. 2
10 Partagas Serie D 4
10 Bolivar Corona Extra
10 Hoyo du Monterrey Epicure 2
5 Trinidad Robusto T
5 Cohiba Siglo VI

However, these are all standard smokes. If I had the luxury of walking into an LCDH, I'd spring for the harder to obtain Edicion Limitada, and Regional Edicion releases.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by mikethegoalie32

2) How much money should I give her? Law says she can bring back 50, and she wont be bringing back any for herself...

I don't think that is correct. I believe it is a whopping 0.

Is she a US Citizen, traveling on a US passport? Does she has a license and all the paperwork from the OFAC to be going there? All important questions.

If the answer to any of those is yes, she most likely won't be getting any cigars through customs. If she tries, at best they are confiscated and destroyed, at worst, she could be in deep sh!t.

My advice would be don't take the risk, even if it's an official trip. There are plenty of other ways to source CC's if needed.

Do they ever make examples out of travelers trying to bring cigars back into the US?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Comedian

Do they ever make examples out of travelers trying to bring cigars back into the US?

Not to say that they definitely haven't, because it is certainly possible that they might have, I've never heard of it happening for the quantities travelers would typically carry. Normally they just confiscate or destroy the cigars and fine the person and send them on their way.

The additional thing to consider is that with modern security and tracking being what it is, that person might get the royal treatment every time they go through customs for the foreseeable future.

[pnoon]

Before we jump to conclusions or chastise anyone, let's find out where the OP is from.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Before we jump to conclusions or chastise anyone, let's find out where the OP is from.

You're right Peter. My mistake. Having heard all the incorrect "you can bring back X many into the US..." so many times, I assumed a US traveler and forgot that we do have a number of members from other countries here.

[the nub]

The other important question- where in Cuba is she travelling? Some areas have a terrible selection while others we can give you exact location of the store.

Hey all,
should have mentioned were canadian, so going from Canada to Cuba... this shouldnt be an issue for customs correct?
When she gets back from lunch I will ask her where she is going in Cuba, thanks for everything so far! Amazed how many responses I got in a few short hours...

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by mikethegoalie32

Hey all,
should have mentioned were canadian, so going from Canada to Cuba... this shouldnt be an issue for customs correct?
When she gets back from lunch I will ask her where she is going in Cuba, thanks for everything so far! Amazed how many responses I got in a few short hours...

Welcome to Cigar Asylum.

When you get a minute, head on over to the New Inmate forum and introduce yourself. We're a friendly bunch.

[icehog3]

I figured Mike might be Canadian...he IS a goalie!

Welcome to the Asylum from a winger from the States.

Haha, love the blackhawk love in your sig, way to be!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by mikethegoalie32

Haha, love the blackhawk love in your sig, way to be!

Gotta support my Boys, Mike!

Who is your team?

Was originally a blackhawk fan years back when I got into hockey, but they dont have a whole lot of tv coverage in Canada until son of the devil took over the team. So I am a big Colorado fan with a soft spot for the hawks.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by mikethegoalie32

Was originally a blackhawk fan years back when I got into hockey, but they dont have a whole lot of tv coverage in Canada until son of the devil took over the team. So I am a big Colorado fan with a soft spot for the hawks.

Nice....Craig Anderson is a friend of mine so I root for the Avs when they're not playing the Hawks.

[GWN]

She staying in varadero?

[JDTexan]

The best to buy on the island would have to be two jars of the LGC Cuban Regional.

Her longgg lunch :P is finally over, she said:
We will be in Holguin, Cuba, staying at Playa Pesquero.

So any tips on what to get, what I should tell her to be aware of, and how much money?

FYI,
as suggested, I am going to give her $500.00. Was thinking of logically telling her think of it as me looking for 30 $10.00 cigars and 10 $20.00 cigars....
What should I ask for with $500.00?