The Cuba Partnership Resource Manual
Cuban Customs (the aduana) and Immigration
Last Updated (Wednesday, 23 February 2011 21:21) Written by John Walter Wednesday, 23 February 2011 21:17
I’ve had some successful and some unsuccessful battles with Cuban Customs. I’m happy
to say that there is no fast rule for their procedural decisions regarding what you are bringing
into Cuba. What passes today in Havana may not pass tomorrow. It’s whimsical; it’s difficult
to explain all the Catch-22s.
One thing for sure though, in Havana the customs agents are used to seeing a lot more
international travelers passing through (advantage traveler). They’re used to seeing
technology of all types (though I did surprise one curious agent with a blue tooth enabled
portable printer), so a single person carrying a laptop and other gear will not attract undue attention.
Other items, such as a reasonable quantity of Over the Counter (OTC) medications pass through
IF they are part of your personal luggage. Larger quantities are another matter.
The Church (except the Catholic Church which has a separate agreement with the government)
is not legally allowed to receive medicines, that function is reserved for the Ministry of Health,
(MINSAP). Therefore, OTC meds that you are carrying must appear as personal property in your
luggage. And while this usually isn’t challenged…it can be (Catch 22). An example of this was when
Woodbury Presbyterian Church was detained because of what appeared to be an inexplicable
quantity of OTC meds. The agents didn’t know what to make of the 100 pounds distributed in f
our sports bags until one non Spanish speaking delegated said “iglesia”. They were immediately
allowed to leave with all their goods and meds. A similar incident happened to me in Cienfuegos.
All the OTC meds were confiscated after a long and tiring discussion. (Catch 22) Read more about
this at Inter-Church Medical Assistance ~ World Health.
On leaving Miami, a Marazul employee will likely hand you a Cuban customs declaration form.
I have gone searching for a Cuban Customs Agent in Havana or Cienfuegos interested in looking at it, they aren’t! Go ahead and fill it out if it makes you feel better; no one has ever asked for mine…but then, it’s Cuba, next time they'll ask.
On leaving Cuba you’ll receive a US Customs declaration form. Fill it out, it does count.
The information in your Marazul packet will patently tell you that you can’t bring anything
back from Cuba. US customs isn’t that picky; but they are interested in stopping individuals
with large quantities of cigars or rum. Gifts that are given to you by a church member in Cuba
are fine to bring home. Just estimate a value. Shopping for souvenirs is also alright. Just list
anything that’s valued more than ten dollars.
This is what it will look like.
You’ve just finished going through Immigration. You have your passport and visa.
Next you’ll wait for the luggage to arrive on the carousel. Chances are, all the Cuban’s
bags and equipment will enter first. Then a lag in time. Next any foreigner’s bags will
begin to enter. They have been pre-scanned outside the terminal. Possibly opened, in
the agents feel it’s warranted; and if so, you may have to explain items they perceive as
questionable. Anything that requires electricity (may or may not) fall into this category.
If someone in your delegation is detained for a more intimate inspection of some item,
have your party’s Spanish speaker handy while the rest of you leave the building to meet
your host. Don’t hang around to give bored customs agents a change to hassle you.
It’s just a pass time for them, nothing personal.
Cuban Immigration and Visa Issues.
As I said, IPRC secretary (tramitadora) Lucy Zuazo has applied for a visa in your name.
Havana will verify that all US passengers on the charter flight have approved visas. You
have been granted a religious visa. This means that you are not subject to tourist rules.
(so I won’t go into that).
Occasionally a immigration agent will ask where you are going and where you will be staying.
Simply answer that “you are the guest of the Presbyterian Church in Cuba”.
Try this out:
Soy un(a) delegado(a) visitando a la Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada en (town name).
Esta iglesia está localizada en la provincia de Sancti Spiritu . No sé su dirección exacta.
The immigration agents are generally pretty genial. The only fast rule is that your
passport must have at least six months remaining on it from the day of your re-arrival
in the US. Marazul Charters will verify this before issuing the ticket, and should a
problem arise, it’s quite likely that you can get a new passport before the departure date.
During your stay in the church community you needn’t be overly concerned about
lugging your passport around with you all the time. Leave it at the church; it’s less
likely to be misplaced. If there is an excursion planned, ask your host if you should
carry your passport and follow their suggestion. Be very careful not to loose the visa
or your passport. Real headaches will ensue both in Cuba and Miami.