Boom Time

[TonyN]

Boom time for Cuban cigars? Among the provisions included in President Obama?s package this week was one that would allow US citizens to import prized Cuban cigars up to a value of $100 each year. That could be very significant for Cuban cigar makers.
According to the International Trade Centre, a joint UN/WTO agency that tracks data from around the world, the island economy exported $272m in ?cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes? in 2013. The biggest destination market: Spain, which imported almost $86m in Cuban cigars last year.
Which means it is time to take out the calculator. If just 0.3 per cent of the US population take advantage of that $100 import limit each year the US will overnight become the biggest export destination ? at $97m ? for Cuban cigars in the world.
That may be worth lighting up a Cohiba for.

[PeeJay]

The Cubans had better start producing more five packs then because you don't get many cigars for a hundred bucks at retail prices.

[Timfy]

I doubt it.

It's not really allowing anything more than most people who travel outside of the States and want Cuban cigars that badly would probably smuggle back anyway- Or those that want Cuban Cigars and are willing to take the risk of confiscation would get shipped in.

If the ban was fully lifted for import/distribution & retail it might make a bit more difference.

[oskihen]

Out of interest how many cigars can a roller produce in a shift for the high end popular brands, cohiba, erdm,RyJ, montes etc.....

[ValeTudoGuy]

It sounds like they are just finding a way to decriminalize what a minority are already doing.... Just think how much they will save in not looking so hard for Cubans to destroy and people to prosecute.

[tippexx]

the US will overnight become the biggest export destination

Indirectly it probably already is .... who else do you imagine the grey market and Internet vendors are set up for?