Cuban cigar ban valid world-wide for U.S. citizens Published Oct. 25, 2010 By Robert Szostek U.S. European Command Customs Office HEIDELBERG, Germany -- U.S. citizens are breaking U.S. law if they buy or use products from Cuba anywhere in the world. Cuba is one of several countries that the U.S. embargoes. "Other countries do not ban Cuban products and items such as Cuban cigars or rum are openly on sale all over Europe," said Bill Johnson, U.S. European Command Customs and Border Clearance Agency director. However, changes to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations in 2004 mean that U.S. citizens are breaking U.S. law if they buy or use Cuban products wherever they may be. The Treasury Department reports that many people try to smuggle Cuban cigars into the United States, Mr. Johnson continued. However, he warned that penalties for attempted smuggling include confiscation of the items, civil fines of up to $65,000 per violation, and possibly criminal prosecution resulting in fines of up to $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison. The ban even extends to cigars made in third countries using tobacco grown in Cuba.