Cuban Cigar, Rum Limits Lifted by U.S. Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tampa Bay area residents with plans to take advantage of new nonstop flights to Cuba that will open later this year can now bring back more cigars and rum for later enjoyment. The Obama Administration announced Friday that it is doing away with a $100 limit that had been in place.

Under the rule change, American travelers will now find Cuban cigars and rum are subject to the same duties placed on tobacco and alcohol from other countries. That means most travelers will be able to bring back several thousand dollars’ worth of cigars and rum, but they will have to pay normal duty amounts to do so.

The change in regard to tobacco and alcohol was included in a package of other regulatory tweaks announced Oct. 14 that are meant to help ease trade between the two countries.

See also: Southwest Airlines Announces Cheap, Nonstop Cuba Flights

“President Obama’s historic announcement in December 2014 charted a new course for a stronger, more open U.S.-Cuba relationship,” Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement. “The Treasury Department has worked to break down economic barriers in areas such as travel, trade and commerce, banking, and telecommunications. Today’s action builds on this progress by enabling more scientific collaboration, grants and scholarships, people-to-people contact, and private sector growth.”

The changes are also meant to help create more opportunities for Cuban citizens to access American products and services, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said. “More commercial activity between the U.S. and Cuba benefits our people and our economies.”

The new rules on Cuban alcohol and tobacco go into effect on Monday, Oct. 17. Under the previous rule, Americans were limited to bringing home only $100 worth of cigars and rum in their luggage. That $100 reflected a combined value. The new rules allow for much greater amounts, but products must be meant for personal consumption.

Friday’s restriction changes come on the heels of Southwest Airlines announcing more details about its nonstop flights to Cuba. Passengers flying out of Tampa will be able to hop on planes bound for Havana starting this December.

To find out more about the new regulations related to Cuba, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury online.

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