January 2016 I-129f Filers

[MCL 33]

***Cuban cigars are not allowed.***

As a visitor to the United States what are my exemptions on gifts for family and friends?

As a non-resident, you are allowed up to $100 worth of merchandise, free of duty and internal revenue tax, as gifts for other people. To claim this exemption, you must remain in the United States for at least 72 hours, and the gifts must accompany you.

This $100 gift exemption, or any part of it, can be claimed only once every six months. You may include 100 cigars within the gift exemption, but alcoholic beverages may not be included. The cigars may not be of Cuban origin.

Family members may not group their gift exemptions. For example, a husband and wife are bringing a $200 gift to a friend in the United States. Only one family member will be allowed to claim the $100 gift exemption, the remaining $100 would be dutiable at the flat rate of duty. Flat rate of duty is generally 3%, for more information. However, the husband and wife could each bring in a $100 gift, and each would be granted the gift exemption as long as all other Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements are met.

*Do not gift-wrap your articles because they must be available for CBP inspection.

For more information, please see the article What You Must Declare.

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https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDUzOTkzMTkxL3NpZC9DT1BXSkZIbQ%3D%3D/~/duty-free-exemption%2C-gifts

[pepper44 18]

same website clearly states $100 worth is allowed- I have been to CUBA 6 TIMES and have brought back rum and cigars with NO PROBLEMS - I guess it all depends though but it was lifted in DECEMBER 2014 stating we are allowed $100 dollars worth for our own personal use - not to sell.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/36/~/importing-cuban-cigars

Can I import or bring Cuban cigars into the U.S. for personal use?

Persons authorized to travel to Cuba may purchase alcohol and tobacco products while in Cuba for personal consumption while there. Authorized travelers may return to the United States with up to $100 worth of alcohol and/or tobacco products acquired in Cuba in accompanied baggage, for personal use only.

Purchasing Cuban-origin cigars and/or Cuban-origin rum or other Cuban-origin alcohol over the internet or while in a third country (i.e. not Cuba) remains prohibited.

For more information about travel to Cuba, please see the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Criminal penalties for violation of the Regulations range up to $1,000,000 in fines for corporations, $250,000 for individuals and up to 10 years in prison. Civil penalties of up to $65,000 per violation may be imposed by OFAC.

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Directly from OFAC weibsite

30. Can I purchase Cuban-origin cigars and/or Cuban-origin rum or other alcohol while traveling in Cuba?

Persons authorized to travel to Cuba may purchase alcohol and tobacco products while in Cuba for personal consumption while there. Authorized travelers may return to the United States with up to $100 worth of alcohol and/or tobacco products acquired in Cuba in accompanied baggage, for personal use only.

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf

[MCL 33]

So it seems you can bring in Cuban cigars if purchased while in Cuban, but not in another country.

[Anni89 1]

what a shame. ok thanks to everybody!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Anni89, on 28 Jan 2016 - 08:58 AM, said:

Ok and if its a cuban cigar? i can not find anything about this at the internet.

This is not the exact page that your answer can be found but look through the menus as I am sure there is something on cigs and booze.

https://help.cbp.gov...detail/a_id/82/

[pepper44 18]

^{Hi Annie - I posted this in my previous comment (see above)- with links from OFAC directly}

^{YES YOU CAN BRING THEM BACK! :-)}

^{CIGARS are made of TOBACCO. unless something changed.}

If you can please make a new thread for questions not pertaining to I129F applications.

Edited January 28, 2016 by pepper44

[Ed n Chris 8]

I will have to find it but I read something that bringing cuban cigars from countries other than Cuba is still illegal.

Found it:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bs-md-cuban-goods-20150103-story.html

Edited January 28, 2016 by Ed n Chris

[Anni89 1]

I will have to find it but I read something that bringing cuban cigars from countries other than Cuba is still illegal.

Found it:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bs-md-cuban-goods-20150103-story.html

^{Hi Annie - I posted this in my previous comment (see above)- with links from OFAC directly}

^{YES YOU CAN BRING THEM BACK! :-)}

^{CIGARS are made of TOBACCO. unless something changed.}

If you can please make a new thread for questions not pertaining to I129F applications.

This is not the exact page that your answer can be found but look through the menus as I am sure there is something on cigs and booze.

https://help.cbp.gov...detail/a_id/82/

thanks guys and sorry for asking here

[benkat9596 3]

Hey guys, just recieved our NOA1! Sent to CSC! Here's hoping us all a swift and painless approval

Case hasn't been recognized by myUSCIS though, is that normal? We did only get the text about an hour ago! Haha

[UKTOBK 11]

Hi benkat9596 I literally received my email @ 9:53pm (GMT) looks like we may well have a similar timeline subject to things going smoothly! I had no idea how much this process would actually take over my life! I have been checking my email frequently over the last couple of days in the hope of seeing the acceptance email! Exciting times!!!

[Tricked 33]

Do you guys get a case id in your noa1 email?

[Yalda 54]

Do you guys get a case id in your noa1 email?

The case id is the receipt number that you can find in the text you receive. my fiance received the email later that day or the very next day if i remember well.

[Tricked 33]

Thank you.

We didn't get a text, and I don't recall a number in the email... which I don't have access to at the moment, I'll check again later.

[Yalda 54]

Thank you.

We didn't get a text, and I don't recall a number in the email... which I don't have access to at the moment, I'll check again later.

if you did not get a text then how do you know you got your noa1?

Hey guys, just recieved our NOA1! Sent to CSC! Here's hoping us all a swift and painless approval

Case hasn't been recognized by myUSCIS though, is that normal? We did only get the text about an hour ago! Haha

in this message you say that you did only get the text so you DID get the text than. The case number is the receipt number.

[Tricked 33]

We got an email that said to the effect it'd been received and passed for processing at CSC and a hard copy would be in 7-10 days

We may have got a text... Haha, it was over Skype so I may have missed a detail.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Tricked