Tue 23 Jan 2007
Whenever I light up in my lounge, either by myself or with a few fellow aficionados, I need to feel like I’ve done everything possible to set up for a great smoking evening. I got comfortable lounge chairs, good ventilation, big screen T.V., and yes… enough cool ashtrays to go around.
At first I was a bit surprised at how difficult it can be to get nice, large ceramic ashtrays. Then I realized that you just have to grab them whenever you see them advertised. So, here’s an ashtray special I just ordered from J.R. Cigar. Just buy any box of the CAO range and get the interestingly shaped ashtray.
*** UPDATE — I just saw this ashtray advertized for $98 all by itself!!! Boy am I glad I got it with a box of Robustos for $117,00.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Hi
just love your blog. I cruise between several cigar sites and yours is, with a few other gems, regular.
One question: How do you order from JR, when they state they dont ship overseas and your new residence is Spain?
Thanks
Rob
January 24th, 2007 at 2:08 am
I’m glad to hear that Rob.
What I do is have it delivered to my home in the U.S. and have my family forward it to me in Spain.
I actually prefer to do it this way. I save a ton on shipping, not to mention the 20% european killer tax!
January 24th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Thanks E.Z. for a quick reply. I figured you were creative with the shipping. A few more questions if you dont mind:
Doesnt the EU customs charge a 20% duty, even though the stogies were a “gift” and not purchased on the internet?
Plus, I looked into purchasing from the Famous smoke, and the customs (I also live in EU - Slovenia) stand on the issue is: 20% duty, 5% tobacco tax plus 20% european VAT tax. Plus, the shipping is included in the taxable sum on which they base these percentages…
So, I decided against purchasing overseas. Even with attractive pricing on several great NC brands, with those taxes it is just too much for me. But I also have an uncle in Jersey, so I am curious, how do you get shipped items from your family (what to declare on the package) and what duties or taxes do they charge you in Spain?
Thank you for your help
Rob
January 24th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Well, every country might be different, but as long as the package is not oversized and labeled as a gift, they don’t really care what it is here.
Cigars are very light; it would be different if you were getting a computer or a VCR shipped.
February 14th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
good