Nikes, Colgate and Marlboros, Gillette Series shaving cream and Jordache jeans all are easy to find. Cubans who wear contact lenses can buy Bausch Lomb. Parents can surprise the kids with a Mickey Mouse fire truck.

Dozens of American brands are on sale here and not in some black market back alley. They’re in the lobbies of gleaming government run hotels and in crowded supermarkets aOlernKienOP air jordan 11 retro low infrared 23 The Next Shoe to Drop in Banking and pharmacies that answer to the communist government.

The companies say they have no direct knowledge of sales in Cuba, and that the amounts involved are small and would be impractical to stop. But it’s hard to deny that a portion of the transactions wind up back in the United States.

“We try and do what we can to police . but in a globalized economy, it’s impossible to catch everything,” said Vada Manager, director of global issues management for Nike air jordan 5 oreo 2013 Inc. food and farm products, medical supplies and some telecommunications equipment. But wholesalers and distributors in Europe, Asia, Latin aOlernKienOP air jordan 4 green glow dark grey green glow cement grey black The Minneton America and Canada routinely air jordan 15 retro laser black gold sell some of America’s most recognizable brands to Cuban importers.

Cuba aOlernKienOP air jordan 2011 white black blue How To Make Your Own Jewelry has aOlernKienOP air jordan 2011 white black blue The 5 Most Disturbing Things Ever Done Wit for years sought out American goods as a way of thumbing its nose at the embargo. Officials at aOlernKienOP air jordan 5 v raging bulldefining moments package ii black varsity The Nex three foreign owned import companies operating in Havana, who refused to have their names published for fear of economic repercussions, said the communist government itself still imports the vast majority of American goods. assistant secretary of commerce for export administration, air jordan 11 low white varsity red said from Washington that Cuba even sends delegations on “buying missions,” hunting for specific American products in third countries for resale back home.

In a country air jordan 3 iii retro white cement grey fire red where tourism is the leading revenue source, stocking American brands helps reassure visitors, according to Daniel Erikson, a Cuban economy expert at the Inter American Dialogue in Washington.

“People, average Cubans included, would rather have Coca Cola than a no name generic soda they’re not familiar with. That means the government can charge more,” Erikson said. “And obviously for the tourist industry it’s important for the foreigners who visit Cuba to see products that they know and trust.”

All American products are sold in Cuban convertible pesos, considered foreign currency and worth $1.08 apiece about 25 times the island’s regular peso. goods.

But last air jordan 15 original flint grey white month, Economy air jordan 1 retro ko high sport blue Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez said 57 percent of the population has access to hard currency dollars or convertible air jordan 17 mid white varsity red pesos either through jobs in tourism or money from relatives abroad. Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba estimated that remittances from the United States alone total $1 billion a year.

The influx aOlernKienOP air jordan 5 v raging bulldefining moments package ii black varsity Kobe Br of American brands began in earnest in 1993, when Cuba scrapped laws that had made it illegal for its citizens to possess dollars. Cubans know the products, despite an almost complete lack of advertising on the island. Angel Hernandez, a 62 year old retiree, didn’t hesitate when presented with a pair of “Air Jordans.”

“That swoosh. That’s air jordan 7 olympic white metallic gold obsidian Nike,” he said. Like most Cubans, he pronounces the company name with a silent “e” as in “Mike.”

Made in China, brick red Nike Air Max 90 sneakers sell for 129.40 convertible Cuban pesos about $140 at a store off Havana’s Central Park. High priced fakes also abound. Several stores, including one inside the Havana Libre Hotel the Havana Hilton before Castro’s 1959 revolution offer authentic looking Max aOlernKienOP air jordan 2 retro concord white concord black Its A Bling Thing Air 80s, but Nike makes no such product.

At the Comodoro Hotel, a boutique wants $40 for assorted small gym bags with pastel or silver swooshes. Their tags read “Made in Indonesia” in Spanish and “Nike de Mexico,” providing a hint of aOlernKienOP air jordan 2 ii retro carmello anthony melo white university blue varisty m their route to Cuba.

Manager said all Nike products for sale in Cuba are probably knockoffs. could be selling aOlernKienOP air jordan x 10 chicago retro 2012 Thank You Gather products to Cuban importers and that Nike could make money off such sales.

“But what you’re talking about is such a small volume there,” he said. “And if we are able to detect where . restrictions, because it’s not.”

“It’s almost impossible for American companies to stop,” Kavulich said. aOlernKienOP air jordan 13 xiii original og white black true red Prom And Homecoming Dre brands sold in Cuba as “probably $20 million or less on an annual basis,” but noted that less than 5 percent of that amount air jordan 14 retro low white pacific blue likely represents combined profit for American companies, given all the layers of transactions the products go through to get to the island.

Decades old Walt Disney cartoons air on state television every afternoon and stores have Mickey Mouse toys and wrapping paper and Snoopy products. supplier Seachoice Products. A “Heavy Duty Waterproof Flashlight” from the company proudly proclaims “Made in USA.”

Saleswoman Dayne Barrios said the products were shipped from Florida to a Mexico distributor, which sent them to Cuba through a government importer. Calls to Seachoice offices in Pompano Beach, Fla., were not returned.

At least two Havana clothing stores call themselves Jordache, one even using the company’s horse head logo on its marquee. The shelves inside are crammed with jeans, shirts and blouses with Jordache labels. He said he was unsure where the air jordan 8 viii retro playoffs products in Cuba came from.