Why are Cuban cigars illegal in the US? The answer is that Cuban cigars are illegal in the US due to a trade embargo imposed on Cuba in the early 1960s. Cuban cigars are famous for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. They have long been regarded as the best cigars in the world. However, despite their reputation and demand, Cuban cigars are illegal in the United States. The ban on Cuban cigars in the US dates back to 1962, when the US government under President John F. Kennedy imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. This was in response to the Cuban government's decision to nationalize American-owned Cuban oil refineries without compensation. The trade embargo, known as the Cuban Embargo or the Cuban Trade Ban, prohibits the importation of Cuban goods, including cigars, into the US.