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How much a carton of good quality cancer sticks cost these days in Colombia?

I might start adding a few cartons now to my luggage on the way home even though I don't smoke and then try to resale here discreetly in the US. The Federal taxes are going up another $.61/pack, $6.10/carton and some states may add their own increases. Sucks even more to be heavy smoker these days.

By nine inch nails on Apr 1, 2009, 06:46 in Friendly Talkzone.

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 1, 2009, 08:21:

The best thing is to buy them at the duty free shops. That way you get US tobacco. I think they cost around $17 to $20 at the shops in El Dorado. I used to bring back some for a buddy of mine, but he started to become a nuisance about it, so I stopped. You can buy a 5 carton pack for about $70. If they notice it in customs, you might have to pay a duty.

I know that in Texas, cartons go for over $40, so you could make a tiny bit of cash on the deal. Maybe $100 if you're lucky. It's probably not worth the hassle.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 1, 2009, 08:55:

Buy them in the Indian Reservation Shops, like the several in the South Fla area. There you avoid all taxes

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 1, 2009, 09:09:

My aforementioned buddy did that at the indian shops here in Texas, but they are still a lot cheaper at duty free in Bogota.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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Patricio says on Apr 1, 2009, 10:58:

Mustang Azul is better smoke than any U.S. tobacco. Can't give you a price now as it has been several years since I have been in Colombia, but they are very cheap compared to the price here. My wife brought home several cartons when she returned from her Christmas trip and everyone here enjoyed the smoke. Just a little lighter than Maraboro red.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 1, 2009, 11:01:

Pretty much all US brands are absolute crap. I don't smoke with any kind of regularity, but of all the US brands, I actually enjoy American Spirit. It contains quality tobacco and no added chemicals. I will occasionally smoke one a few times a year.

After getting used to American Spirit, a Marlboro tastes disgusting and leaves a very pronounced chemical aftertaste. If you still smoke and live in the US, you should definitely give American Spirit a try.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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expatriate says on Apr 1, 2009, 11:02:

A carton of Boston goes for 16-19K, or about $6.50 to $7.50. That's the only brand I buy, so the only price I can give.

You better take care of me Lord, if you don't you're gonna have me on your hands.

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 1, 2009, 13:20:

This is not related to the OP's question but it just came to me. Do they still sell individual matchsticks and cigarettes in Colombia? I remember when we used to live there my dad used to buy then individually from the street vendors.

Diana

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nine inch nails says on Apr 1, 2009, 13:36:

Good info. Thanks everyone.

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 1, 2009, 15:20:

Don´t buy cigaretts in Duty Free in Bogota. There it´s much more expensive than in every supermarket.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 2, 2009, 07:47:

Yes makopp, but the ones in duty free are not the same as the ones in the stores.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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scumbuster says on Apr 3, 2009, 11:57:

mononoke. Yes they still sell individual ones. My wife’s cousin has an internet café and they sell them individually. I thought that was really odd the first time I saw it.

Tomas Jefferson “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

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dwmte7 says on Apr 4, 2009, 13:19:

don't know where you're at or what you smoke....when i'm in colombia, i smoke 'caribe' about 25 cents a pack two dollars, two fifty a carton...and they're great. they've probably gone up in the last couple of years. but they're good and cheap.

patriarch

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