Shipping from Iraq

chase297

Hi all, New to this forum and the whole cigar thing. Joined COTMC and had a few questions. I’m quickly realizing that I’m going to fill up this humidor and am going to need a new one. However I had some questions about shipping cigars back from Iraq and am hoping some of you have had some experience. I know you can’t ship back Cubans, but a lot of cigars have the word Cuban on it even though they are made elsewhere. Is this a show stopper at customs? I don’t want to be stuck leaving $100’s in cigars. Also will it keep the humidity for 2-3 months? Anyone got any advice on where to scavenge distilled water (motor pool doesn’t carry any) or should I just buy some 50/50 solution. Thanks in advance for any help, this forum is a great outlet to pass some time over here.

 

Garrett

MAJORdorMo

I wouldn't be surprised if customs seizes them, since they seize toy guns that have real Colt logos on them.

Kamelyon

jsnake

I have friends who work in US Customs and they have extensive training in what brands to look for. They know how to spot counterfeit logos on brands so their knowledge is extensive. They know which cigars are Cuban and what labels to look for. i.e. many brands have cigars they sell in the US and still manufacture cigars in Cuba. Customs knows by the design of the label which is which. Do not let them try to steal your sticks! Keep receipts if you got them. Also, you can remove the labels on the ones you are worried about. That is a 50/50 on what they will do then.

chase297

Thanks for the responses.  Its good to know these guys actually know a lot about what actually is Cuban. Let the buying continue!  

jihiggs

make some decorative lables and put its a boy/girl on them. you would think that any one with half a heart wouldnt take those away from you, especialy if you have a good sappy story to go with them. but then I have never had to deal with customs before..

ejenne87

Lasabar

zoom6zoom

Chase, the neat thing about distilled water is that you can make your own almost anywhere with not much more than a bit of plastic sheeting. You can set a cup or pan of almost any fluid containing water (including urine) inside the setup and use a second container to collect the distilled water. In a real survival situation, you actually pull the water out of the cooler soil. The directions show this being done in a hole in the ground, but you could even set it up in a cardboard box if need be. http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/dec/stories/water.html or google "solar still".

rdnstn

Hays

jihiggs

"I don't mean to burst a bubble here, but for any US-born citizen it is illegal to purchase, own, or bring into this country anything from Cuba, including cigars." - this is what I have understood as well. the cost cap on importing goods is applicable to any country, it has nothing to do with embargo.

bradfordro

On my rotation las year to Camp Taji I did... Changed wrappers to some US brands I had saved. You can send up to 20. You CANNOT ship without bands. Becareful - alot of Cubans moving around the FOBs are fake!