As of early 2026, it is strictly prohibited for travelers to bring Cuban-origin cigars (or any Cuban tobacco or alcohol products) into the United States, even for personal use. This policy reflects a reversal of the brief "thaw" in relations seen around 2014–2016. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), it is illegal to import these items regardless of whether they were purchased in Cuba or a third country (like Mexico, Canada, or the UK). If you are caught with them at a U.S. port of entry, the cigars will be confiscated and destroyed, and you could face significant fines or the loss of your "Global Entry" status. The prohibition also extends to online purchases; any Cuban cigars intercepted in the mail will be seized. While you are permitted to smoke a Cuban cigar while traveling in a foreign country where they are legal, you cannot legally cross the U.S. border with any in your possession. This "zero-tolerance" policy remains a key component of the ongoing trade embargo against Cuba, aimed at preventing any financial benefit to the Cuban government from U.S. tourism.