No Cuban Cigars

Before we go into the specific law regarding importation of Cuban products, let's look over an advisory dated 2004, from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection division of the Department of Homeland Security...

The allowance for bringing in up to $100 worth of Cuban cigars if you were on authorized travel to Cuba is no longer in effect. In order to bring Cuban cigars into the U.S., you must have a specific license issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 All other importations of Cuban cigars are illegal, including Cuban cigars that were acquired in other countries (such as Canada, England, or Mexico). It is also illegal for U.S. residents to buy, sell, trade, or otherwise engage in transactions involving illegally imported Cuban cigars. The penalties for doing so include confiscation of the cigars, civil fines of up to $55,000 per violation and in appropriate cases, criminal prosecution, which may result in higher fines and/or imprisonment. Foreign residents and visitors to the U.S.(i.e., French, Mexican etc) may not bring in goods of Cuban origin under any circumstances."

"It is illegal for U.S. persons to buy, sell, trade, give away, or otherwise engage in (or offer to engage in) transactions involving illegally-imported Cuban cigars. The penalties for doing so include, in addition to confiscation of the cigars, civil fines of up to $50,000 per violation and, in appropriate cases, criminal prosecution which may result in imprisonment."
"We recognise that the prohibitions that apply to Cuban cigars may deprive many consumers of a sought-after product.
However, these prohibitions apply to all goods of Cuban origin and are an important element of the comprehensive program of economic sanctions against the Cuban government which have been in place since 1963.These sanctions have had the full support of the past seven Administrations and were further tightened by President Clinton in August 1994."

To hear it again in the U.S. Custom's service's own words, read their own press release at: http://help.customs.gov. >
Note also that since 1994 it has been illegal for anyone, even foreign nationals to bring in any quantity of Cuban cigars - even for personal consumption. (Prior to 1994 foreign nationals were allowed to import cigars for personal use only. This loophole is now closed.)

Here's what it says in the U.S. Customs service's "Customs Regulations for Non-Residents"...
You may include in your personal exemption not more than 200 cigarettes (one carton) or 50 cigars, or 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of smoking tobacco, or proportionate amounts of each. An additional quantity of 100 cigars may be brought in under your gift exemption.
NOTE: Cigars of Cuban origin are generally prohibited entry, even for personal use."