By Sapa-AFP

Washington - US President George Bush's administration has tightened a ban on Americans importing Cuban cigars.

"There is now an across-the-board ban on the importation of Cuban-origin cigars," said a notice released this week by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Previously, the rules allowed Americans licenced to travel to Cuba to bring back to the United States up to $100 worth of Cuban goods, including cigars.

That loophole was closed in the latest regulations.

The anti-Cuban cigar rules were already strict.

For example, Americans are barred from buying a Cuban cigar in other countries, even to smoke it outside the United States.

"The question is often asked whether United States citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States may legally purchase Cuban goods, including tobacco and alcohol products, in a third country for personal use outside the United States," the notice said. "The answer is no."

Breaking the rules can lead to criminal penalties, including fines of up to $1-million for corporations and $250 000 for individuals and up to 10 years in prison, the department said.