Cuban cigars?

[KBear]

If traveling to Cuba could you expect to make a profit by buying a box of legit Cuban cigars in Cuba and selling them in Canada? I have little interest in Cigars, but would like to know if there is some reasonable amount of profit that could be made on this type of deal.

I have been to Cuba many times, and have many good friends in Cuba who happen to have friends that can get the "real" cigars at a discount. However, I’m not talking about these cigars.

I would be buying the cigars as sold in the government stores. Any cigar experts out there. Is there a market for them?

Planning to go back to Cuba this May.

 

[MarkII]

Kbear,

I know Cuban cigars are available here quite readily.

What I don't know, and the reason for my post, is whether they are genuine.

I was in Cuba last November. Not being a cigar smoker, but curious, I went into the hotel smoke shop where there were large posters telling people that without the hologram on the box, they were either cuban rejects or made on other islands.

Since then I've looked at Toronto shops and I don't see the hologram on the box as much as I thought I would.

I also put a Floridian I know in touch with a Toronto service that ships to the US. He told me they were far better than what he can get in Florida.

As to your question I dunoo...but make sure they have that hologram.

 

[agentman]

As a cigar smoker i can say there is a market for genuine Cuban habanos. If you need proof just look at our tobacco tax. I saw a Monetcristo #2 for sale at $23 per stick . It all depends on how serious you are about this little business venture. Unlike cigarettes, cigars require a little knowledge and proper storage conditions all of which can be found by doing an internet search. If you have any questions send me a PM. Good luck. Peace.

 

[Truncador]

I would be buying the cigars as sold in the government stores. Any cigar experts out there. Is there a market for them?

Planning to go back to Cuba this May.

When you buy from an official retail outlet in Cuba, you will get an official receipt, which you must present to customs in order to take the cigars out of the country. Be sure to hang on to the receipt when you get back to Canada, as nobody in their right mind will buy them off of you without it.

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

The best way you can make a profit is to get someone to agree to take the cigars before you even start your trip, to try to sell them in a classified ad or any sort of contact the public type of sale would be illegal and may bring the dept. of revenue down on you.
Only buy cigars in Cuba from a government store that will issue you a reciept/exit visa for the cigars. You are allowed 2 boxes along with one open box as well as 200 cigarelos. These cigars will be available to you for approx. $3 to $5 CDN dollars each. In Canada they sell for $14 to $25 each
If you are not a smoker and are trying to sell you cigars, stick to the well know brands like Monte Cristo and Cohiba, stick with the smaller gauge cigars if you are off loading to an amateur cigar smoker as the thicker cigars will kill them. Also ask the clerk for the milder cigars, as amateurs will appreciate them better then the robust smokes.
Do no forget to bring back you 2 bottle allotment of premium Cuban rum.
Do not waste your time buying stuff that you can readily get at the LCBO.



P.S. This consultation will cost you 2 Monte Cristos, a Cohiba and a shot of rum.

 

[a 1 player]

There is absolutely a market for Cuban cigars. Along with what the others have said about the official receipt, please ensure that you store the cigars properly after your return. It only takes a couple of days without the proper humidity to destroy the cigars permanantly. Too little humidity and the essential oils will dry out causing an arid smoke, too much and you risk the wrapper splitting.

Even for us who have humidors, it can be a difficult process regulating the humidity with the season changes. I am not saying not to purchase the cigars, just to know the details of proper storage so you do not lose your investment. Good luck.

 

[RTRD]

To actually answer your qestion...

If traveling to Cuba could you expect to make a profit by buying a box of legit Cuban cigars in Cuba and selling them in Canada? I have little interest in Cigars, but would like to know if there is some reasonable amount of profit that could be made on this type of deal.

I have been to Cuba many times, and have many good friends in Cuba who happen to have friends that can get the "real" cigars at a discount. However, I’m not talking about these cigars.

I would be buying the cigars as sold in the government stores. Any cigar experts out there. Is there a market for them?

Planning to go back to Cuba this May.

...yes. Especially if you are willing to buy in bulk someplace AWAY from the airport and tourist.

The best cigar / most legitimate cigar stores (the ones where you can be confident you are getting the real deal) mark up the cigar big time...plus they pay more for them because they have to cover shipping costs, along with the huge mark up by the supplier ("contraband...allure" and all that).

Put it like this - I pay about $50 CDN for my favorite (with tax). You can buy them in Cuba for about $20. Bring back 100 of them...that is a good profit - worth the effort.

Of course...how you get 100 cigars inot the country in a different story...

 

[RTRD]

All...

The best way you can make a profit is to get someone to agree to take the cigars before you even start your trip, to try to sell them in a classified ad or any sort of contact the public type of sale would be illegal and may bring the dept. of revenue down on you.
Only buy cigars in Cuba from a government store that will issue you a reciept/exit visa for the cigars. You are allowed 2 boxes along with one open box as well as 200 cigarelos. These cigars will be available to you for approx. $3 to $5 CDN dollars each. In Canada they sell for $14 to $25 each
If you are not a smoker and are trying to sell you cigars, stick to the well know brands like Monte Cristo and Cohiba, stick with the smaller gauge cigars if you are off loading to an amateur cigar smoker as the thicker cigars will kill them. Also ask the clerk for the milder cigars, as amateurs will appreciate them better then the robust smokes.
Do no forget to bring back you 2 bottle allotment of premium Cuban rum.
Do not waste your time buying stuff that you can readily get at the LCBO.



P.S. This consultation will cost you 2 Monte Cristos, a Cohiba and a shot of rum.

...very good advice.

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

Cigar storage.

Suggestion for storing your cigars, I would not bother with fancy humidors.
One of the best was and the cheapest way is to find some jars, like the type you fine in the old fashioned candy stores. I found some with spring lid fasteners at a dollar store for $5 each. Store your cigars in these jars with a cigar humidifier (plastic tube with a sponge or felt pad inside to hold water for humidifying humidor or in this case glass jar) Store these glass jars in a small fridge. (I bought a small fridge with a glass door at HOME reno-center) I also keep my wine in this glass fridge.

 

[KBear]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Have seen cigars sold at the resorts, airport, and in the tourist towns, but have not compared the prices. Have never noticed cigars being sold in the non tourist areas, but have found it is difficult enough to buy $1 pack of cigarettes with filters, so not sure if $20 cigars are even available in the none tourist areas. Will check around more next time I’m there.

Would not try to return with more cigars then allowed. Flags seem to go up at Canadian customs when they have a single guy who has traveled back from Cuba a few times.

Never bought cigars in Cuba, but have been offered cigars many times by the guys on the street. Cigars, chicas, gas, cigarettes. It is all part of the fun. The guys don’t actually ask me about cigars anymore...

It would be great to have a ready buyer for the cigars. Next time I go, hopefully soon, I will ask here if anyone is interested.

 

[lickrolaine]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.
Flags seem to go up at Canadian customs when they have a single guy who has traveled back from Cuba a few times.
QUOTE]

and flags go up at the US customs when they see a Canadian passport that has a Cuban stamp in it.This happened to a friend of mine a long time ago,he never travelled to the US with a passport after that.The new rules that are coming will require all to carry a passport,untill they sort out this unique ID crap.

 

[KBear]

...flags go up at the US customs ...

Ohoh, and I ask customs in Cuba to stamp my passport every time.

 

[Dani]

If traveling to Cuba could you expect to make a profit by buying a box of legit Cuban cigars in Cuba and selling them in Canada? I have little interest in Cigars, but would like to know if there is some reasonable amount of profit that could be made on this type of deal.

From My information if a certain Ex president of the United States travels to this country he always has a need for them, but I also heard that he does not even smoke them. Can someone explain that??

 

[Berlin]

a certain Ex president of the United States travels to this country he always has a need for them, but I also heard that he does not even smoke them. Can someone explain that??

Gifts for family and friends ?

 

[papasmerf]

From My information if a certain Ex president of the United States travels to this country he always has a need for them, but I also heard that he does not even smoke them. Can someone explain that??

Would this be the same president who had a little boy, deported to Cuba??

I think his wife smokes them

 

[clearwaterjim]

From My information if a certain Ex president of the United States travels to this country he always has a need for them, but I also heard that he does not even smoke them. Can someone explain that??

Maybe they are for Monica????

 

[Berlin]

and flags go up at the US customs when they see a Canadian passport that has a Cuban stamp in it.This happened to a friend of mine a long time ago

How long ago did your friend travel to Cuba ?

I have been to Cuba ( Veradero, Havana, Cayo Coco )over 10 times since 1995 and they never stamped anything remotely resembled an official entry stamp.

Usually what I got were stamps of a small star, flower, a plane...etc. Also, the US immigration both at T3 and in States never hassled me, except the time I flew to Vegas with a dancer 4,5 years ago who was a first time US tourist. And I have to fly to States at least once every year. The US immigrations ain't that unreasonable really.

 

[revolver]

Would not try to return with more cigars then allowed. Flags seem to go up at Canadian customs when they have a single guy who has traveled back from Cuba a few times.

Haven't experienced any flags going up. I've been there about 15 times single and never raised an eyebrow. Never had my bags checked or any serious questioning.

 

[Truncador]

Cigars should not be stored in a refrigerator, as there is at best no advantage to doing so and at worst a risk of ruining them.

An effective and extremely cheap cigar-storage solution is a hinge-lid plastic storage bin from the dollar store. Place a wet piece of sponge (or even half a rolled-up piece of wet absorbent paper towel) in a shot glass in the bin along with the cigars, and you're all set (open the bin periodically to check on the sponge and to let the cigars breathe a little).

Re: that certain ex-President: he smokes them alright, just not in public (on the golf course he chews them instead of lighting them, in order to avoid incurring the wrath of the anti-everything lobby).

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

Truncador,

Have you ever been to a cigar store? some of the humidors I have been in are 100 sq. ft. refrigerators. Of course the ideal temperature is about 55 f to 65 f. and do try to keep the humidity to ideal condition and monitor it with a humidity gauge.