Mouldy cigars @ two shops

**VancouverMark** · 04-14-2011, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by craig

AFAIK, Padron isn't distributed in Canada. Almost the definition of a serious B&M in Canada is one that has some Fuente and Padron.

Anyhow,
1. Get yourself setup with a US receiver in Bellingham; I'm sure that there a few, figure on $5 a box for them to receive your parcels.
2. Call some US online shops to get setup using your Canadian credit card, but shipping to an address in the US. This is a common fraud MO (shipping to an address that isn't the c.c.'s billing address), so expect having to do a test transaction, or a waiting period, or talking nicely to the person, etc. Not all shops will do it, of course.
3. Order Padrons
4. Drive over to Bellingham, pick up your smokes, spend 48 hours in a motel, keep the bill so you can prove a 48 hour absence, and bring back 50 cigars tax and duty-free. Bring a friend/wife who also 'smokes cigars' and have them bring back 50 as well. (You can't legally use another person's exemption, and you have to spend 48 hours in the US to get the exemption.)

If you (and spouse/friend) get 100 cigars, and the cigars come in at $600, then that's about $1000 in duties and taxes saved. More than enough to cover a room and some meals.

Mouldy Cohiba's are probably fakes. There was an issue with fakes in Vancouver a couple years ago. Stick to B&M's listed on the Havana House website to start.

ETA: Havana House's website appears to be down, but you can always call them (they're in Toronto). Also, another indication of a better B&M (in Canada) is if they carry Davidoff.

Great info. I recently set up an account with a US company to receive things I order. The hard part for me is finding the time to spend the 48 hours required for exemption. I do have plans to travel down to Seattle for a couple of Mariners games soon, so that will allow me to bring back some cigars and booze. Thanks again.

Mark

**MrJeff** · 04-14-2011, 09:04 PM

I hate to be a wet blanket, but for a year or so now it has been illegal to receive tobacco products in the mail in Washington state. I'm going to go out on a limb and say I am nearly 100% sure that that includes cigars. If I am wrong, someone please correct me. If this is the case, you may be hard pressed to find someone willing to be a receiver. It's a felony, if i recall.