Why Are Cuban Cigars Illegal?
Posted October 5, 2022
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Even if you don’t smoke, you’ve probably heard somewhere that Cuban cigars are prized for their exceptional quality and flavor. What you may not know is that it’s illegal to buy and sell Cuban cigars in the United States. While cigars from other countries like Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic are readily available, American citizens can only get their hands on a Cuban cigar legally by buying it in a country with no trade embargo with Cuba (such as Canada). The only other way for Americans to legally get Cuban cigars is to travel to Cuba—which is also illegal in many cases.
Cuban Import and Trade Laws
The ban on Cuban goods in the United States is not exclusive to cigars. The import of Cuban merchandise for commercial purposes is heavily restricted, with very limited exceptions. U.S. citizens are also forbidden by the US Department of State from traveling to Cuba as tourists, with travel to Cuba limited only to licensed travelers for certain approved activities.
Interestingly enough, the ban on trade does not go both ways. Although economic sanctions are still in place, the U.S. is actually the largest provider of food and agricultural products to Cuba, as well as a major supplier of humanitarian goods.