Bringing Cigars to and from Canada

[jadeg001]

I'll be going to Montreal next week and I am wondering how strict the boarder officials are on both sides. I plan to bring a box or two with me to Canada, and then buy a box or two there and bring them back. If anyone has experience crossing the boarder by car how have the officials been? Basically, should I be expecting a search? Or just some questions?

[SmoknTaz]

You will have no problems bringing a couple of boxes into Canada.as long as you stay under 50 cigars per person. As for taking a couple of boxes back home, NC are okay but Cubans are a not!

Do not bring any firearms into Canada, it will be seized as a prohibited item.

[Shaz]

As Taz said, you're good with 50 or less cigars, regardless of their size. You will need to declare them, which might attract some attention. Searches are generally random things. Unless you look kinda like you might have something to hide. Most people get through with just a few questions asked.

[AspiringGent]

A friend of mine is a customs officer on the Canadian side, and indeed 50 cigars is the limit for bringing up. As far as bringing cigars back into the States, there is really no point. Anything you buy up here will be way more expensive. And the only stuff you get up here that you can't get there (Cubans) is illegal in the US.

[Snake Hips]

Don't do it. Unless you really want to pay ~$20-a-piece for a petite corona size cigar you can just mail order for a tenth of the price.

[FN in MT]

I used to cross into Alberta quite a lot. The Canadian Agents seemed FAR more interested.....obsessed actually...with FIREARMS. Years back I took our chevy Tahoe up and they noticed there were a few SPENT .22 cases lodged between the dash and the windshield. I had no firearms or ammo, yet was still given a line of endless questions AFTER they searched the vehicle. And seem to get searched about every other trip up to Calgary.

As previously stated ALL cigars up there are far to expensive...not worth the trouble if your caught.

FN in MT

[tx_tuff]

Hey guys just make sure we don't start talking about trying to bring Cubans into the U S, that is against the rules here!

[karmaz00]

NO CC to USA...NC to and from under 50 should be ok

[AspiringGent]

Here's my suggestion: Don't bring anything up or back, but while you're up there smoke as many Cubans as you can. That is of course if you can stand the prices.

[orca99usa]

As far as customs goes (my experience has been in airports, not border crossings), the Canadian customs people seemed interested in doing their jobs. The American customs people acted as if it would make their day to bust me with something. One of them did laugh when he asked if I was carrying any alcohol and I told him about two miniatures in my suitcase. I didn't want to give them any excuse to give me a hard time.

[Snoman13]

Yeah, as stated, there's no point buying big quantities here to stock up, the 40%+ tax is pretty much unbearable for box quantities.

(Also, where the F is Club Stogie, I've been gone way too long apparently and my old link took me here... I'm more than lost...)