Cuban customs regulations

Inbound travelers

Be prepared for Cuban customs

When you arrive in Cuba, your luggage will be x-rayed.

If they see that you have a lot of items, more than seems necessary for a short vacation, a buzzer will sound as you try to pass through the exit gates.

You will be flagged aside for a second inspection where officials will question you.

The best way to deal with this is to tell them that everything is for your personal use. After all, they do not live in a capitalist society so they have no real idea of all that we require for our daily needs.

Do not bring any kind of pornographic material or illegal drugs

• It’s best to have a letter from your doctor if you need your meds for the duration of your trip.

• Don’t try to bring in animals or plants.

• And forget about household appliances such as toasters or fans. These much-needed items are for sale in the government Dollar stores for Cubans to buy at a tremendous mark-up.

• Electrical items are not allowed except those for your personal use such as razors, hair dryers and DVD players.

• Two bottles of alcohol, one carton of cigarettes and up to ten kilograms (20 pounds) of over-the-counter medicine.

• You may bring sports equipment, personal jewelry, your camera, camcorder, cell phone, laptop, ipod, video games and tape recorder. You are also permitted one musical instrument.

• Certain computer parts are now accepted into Cuba but the customs official may persist in demanding payment of a tax.

  One traveler's advice is: indicate that you're going to smash the parts onto the floor. After all, they belong to you. It’s better for you to render a hard drive useless than to line the pockets of the airport personnel.

• Since the assessment of your incoming baggage is up to the discretion of the person on duty that day, it’s best to be polite at all times.

• Do not admit that anything in your possession is a donation for a Cuban person or the authorities can tax you at whatever the market will bear.

• KISS: keep it simple stupid

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