Cuba on Vacation - will I get hassled by US Customs later

Sulako · Post by **Sulako** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:27 pm

Lisa asked about us going to Cuba this Spring, and I thought about it, but I had a question first.

If I go to Cuba for vacation, am I gonna get hassled by US Customs on my next corporate flight into the States? Or is it no big deal?

I fly into the US maybe 75 times a year and I don't wanna get red-flagged for my choice of vacation spot. Will that happen?

tincanflyer · Post by **tincanflyer** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:31 pm

No.....just make sure they don't stamp your passport.

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:41 pm

They wount stamp your passport.

They'll give you this weird little visa card that you fill in and they stamp that... don't loose it or bend it or you have to BUY another one....

I just got back Jan 3rd... No stamps in the Passport...

Sky

planett · Post by **planett** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:00 pm

Are Montecristos and Habanos still contraband there?

boeingguy · Post by **boeingguy** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:11 pm

Hey there, I fly into Cuba all the time and there are no issues going into the States afterwards. Just make sure they dont stamp your passport which they normally don't.

Cheers

P.S. Make sure you have 25 cuban pesos handy on departure from Cuba as you will need it to pay the departure tax. Everyone is charged that and they dont take any other currency other than the "new converitible" Cuban peso.

Expat · Post by **Expat** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:54 pm

I just came back from Cuba. Cigars at the official shops are getting expensive. Better buy them from the street. You are allowed two boxes for export, but they do not really check.
Best lobster meals were also in black market restaurants. People will ask you to go to a private house for lobster meal. Try and go. It is worth it.

Lommer · Post by **Lommer** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:39 pm

Watch out for buying cigars on the street, or for that matter the very popular cigars from official stores even. Less scrupulous cubans will pick off tourists who they think likely know nothing of cigars and try to sell them rolled bannana leaves. If you know your cigars you won't be fooled but if you don't then be careful. Also if you ask for some of the less popular brands (which are still excellent), you won't get counterfeits

Dash-Ate · Post by **Dash-Ate** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:32 pm

The question is why would anyone want to smoke a cigar

Now back to my beer at hand

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 5:52 pm

I love this place. He asks about us customs and he's getting tips on cigar purchasing... Maybe you should just "roll your own".

N2 · Post by N2 » Sat Jan 13, 2007 6:19 pm

I got a better idea, why not spend your vacation here in Canada? Winter vacations can be just as enjoyable if not more so than southern vacations.

Support our economy not theirs!

PS Co-joe didn't you know pilots are experts on everything!...

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:03 pm

I have no recollection of that incident...

Sully, I'd say that whatever you purchase in Cuba, DECLARE and pay the duty on it. Nothing sends up red flags like having been detained by customs abroad.

Make sure you wash all of your clothes thoroughly before returning. You don't want the cubana border patrol's dog going ape shit over the beef jerkey you had in your pocket a day prior to leaving.

JK man, have fun...and don't do anything I wouldn't do.

Oh how does it go? Yo no soy piloto! You no ablo espanol. Soy de Canada!

Expat · Post by **Expat** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 12:58 am

Most people I know do not smoke these cigars either. They resell them at a profit!

As far as visas are concerned, my passports are full of Pakistan, Afghanistan and other stans visas. So Cuba is not a big worry!

hind sight · Post by **hind sight** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 4:42 am

N2 wrote:I got a better idea, why not spend your vacation here in Canada? Winter vacations can be just as enjoyable if not more so than southern vacations.

Support our economy not theirs!

PS Co-joe didn't you know pilots are experts on everything!...

Please correct me if I'm wrong here but at this time of year there is no 30 degree temps and beach activity to be found in Canada.

superiorwhore · Post by **superiorwhore** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:14 am

Am I missing something here, whats the big deal if they stamp the passport?

The Other Kind · Post by **The Other Kind** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:25 am

Am I missing something here, whats the big deal if they stamp the passport?

The US has a travel ban on Cuba and he was concerned that US Customs would hassle him if they noticed that he had been there.

I doubt they would but it is a valid concern. I've met Cuban-Americans who were shocked and a little pissed when I told them I had vacationed in Cuba.

I tend to keep that info to myself now just to avoid a political debate.

. . · Post by **. .** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:07 am

hind sight wrote:
N2 wrote:I got a better idea, why not spend your vacation here in Canada? Winter vacations can be just as enjoyable if not more so than southern vacations.

Support our economy not theirs!

PS Co-joe didn't you know pilots are experts on everything!...
Please correct me if I'm wrong here but at this time of year there is no 30 degree temps and beach activity to be found in Canada.

CYTL 141500Z AUTO 26011G16KT 9SM CLR M30/M35 A3026 RMK SLP284

Sunny skies in big trout lake man. Plenty of activity on the beach there. You could stay at the fablous big trout lake hotel/resort. Lots of exciting shopping at Sam's store, and the Tasona store. Why wait, book now!

cmadude · Post by **cmadude** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:12 am

I had my passport stamp in cuba once. Been to cuba lots and going again. Havent had a problem going south to the us as a passenger or as a pilot. However, i did renewed my passport late this year.. no more stamp.

pilotbzh · Post by **pilotbzh** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:13 pm

the only issues are for US citizen travelling to Cuba via Canada, big market for AC, they don't want a stamp on they passport, it cause a long talk with US custom because of the travel ban in the US, Canadian have nothing to worry about...

Three Holer · Post by **Three Holer** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:03 am

Sully,

I concur with the above info. I go to Cuba several times a week. Looking at my passport you'd never know. No stamps. They are pretty good about it in Cuba. Brush up on your Spanish before you go!

Have Fun.

quickflight · Post by **quickflight** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:56 am

I used to go to Cuba about twice a week. It's my own personal rebellion, have about 10 Cuban stamps in my passport. My favourite one is the one from Jose Marti Intl that is right next to the Department of Homeland Security stamp. It was noticed once by US customs and he asked if it really was as nice in Cuba as everyone says. Yep it sure is. I go to the states all the time no problems. We are Canadian not the other and have no travel restriction to there. I highly recommend a day tour to old Havana. I have spent many days there, and get off the resort and try to find a local dance club. You will never forget it. Have a Mojito for me. Cheers.

cloudcounter · Post by **cloudcounter** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:32 pm

So just wondering- what if Fidel's air pump fails and there is a 'coup' with an even worse commie/muslim /*** kook in charge?
I noticed Iran's world wide kook was visiting there last month- he would love to have some leetle meesels pointing at Miami que?

Expat · Post by **Expat** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:34 pm

cloudcounter wrote:So just wondering- what if Fidel's air pump fails and there is a 'coup' with an even worse commie/muslim /*** kook in charge?
I noticed Iran's world wide kook was visiting there last month- he would love to have some leetle meesels pointing at Miami que?

Then you could always visit Iran! Great beaches, hot women...

cloudcounter · Post by **cloudcounter** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:51 pm

lol
yes, great many bitches
great many hot burkas

Expat wrote:
cloudcounter wrote:So just wondering- what if Fidel's air pump fails and there is a 'coup' with an even worse commie/muslim /*** kook in charge?
I noticed Iran's world wide kook was visiting there last month- he would love to have some leetle meesels pointing at Miami que?
Then you could always visit Iran! Great beaches, hot women...

N2 · Post by N2 » Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:30 pm

hind sight wrote:
N2 wrote:I got a better idea, why not spend your vacation here in Canada? Winter vacations can be just as enjoyable if not more so than southern vacations.

Support our economy not theirs!

PS Co-joe didn't you know pilots are experts on everything!...
Please correct me if I'm wrong here but at this time of year there is no 30 degree temps and beach activity to be found in Canada.

If you read carefully I did say WINTER vacation did I not? I didn't mention 30 degree temps or what have you. I used to go south until I tried doing it in the great white north.....

iwannasoar · Post by **iwannasoar** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:06 am

I had a Cuban work visa in my old passport that I had replaced a few months ago. I did get some comments like "You are not allowed to work ther" etc. Well as long as you stay respectful they will not do much about it. I few in the states quite a bit after and every once in awhile it would come up. Americans think they control the world but really they do not, and they do respect the fact!