Travel Questions and Advice

[Taboc]

They have their own prefixed evaluation of what certain items cost.
"This is Cuba".

So far it is all been good, They stopped me two times all these years, and let me go without any issue. Once they were asking why I had many perfume bottles and the another time it was about canned food. I had five good perfumes and five or so dollar store ones, before packing I removed the price tag from all good perfumes that I got from Walgreens, the dollar store ones have $2 printed on the box itself and I could not remove it. It became a saviour, I said look they are all just $2 each. In the case of food, I said that I have dietary restriction so bringing my own food, he said no and said they have rules meat can not be brought inside. They were all canned beef, not real meat meat, I tried to explain, he kept saying I could not take them inside. I finally said, I needed to speak to the supervisor. That was it, he made me stand for a long time, and someone else came asked me to leave.

[Cubiche]

I'm not planning to bring a lot more then 5000, I was thinking about 6000 $, just to be sure, for a 1 month trip.

I know it isn't smart to exchange all the money at once.

Why I'm asking is, I don't know how strict they are, I don't have a problem declaring them, as long as it's not going to be a problem. I dealt with a lot of customs and immigration around the world and some of them were a real pain to deal with.

There will be no problem in declaring anything over $5000.00. It is not against the law to bring in over $5000.00 just like it is not against the law to enter the USA with more than $10.000. You just have to declare it! If you don't declare it and it is discovered, you would have issues. That would happen in the USA as it would in Cuba. So bottom line, declare.

[MrSoulo]

If you take a lot more than 5000 $, then you may not want to convert all of them to CUC as you could have issues returning with them. There are some rules on how much you can convert back, and as you know CUC is worth nothing outside the country unless you plan to go back.

If you don't declare what you are carrying over 5000 $ then you are breaking a rule, simple as that. Is it a bit deal, I don't think so, no one is going to bother you for that. Still, it is against the rule, and if for whatever reason you are being frisked, then you must have the personality to deal with it. You may be going there with a ton of money to fuck as many chicas and have fun, keep in mind the cuban customs could think you are going with that kind of money for different reasons other than that, that is trouble.

I remember someone sending a PM asking me whether taking porn to Cuba is a crime. I said as long as you are watching it yourself why should it be a problem. The guy sent a PM back saying that he read that Cuban customs ask in the declaration form whether you are carrying porn, and he also read that there is something called corruption of minors thing that could be slapped if he has porn. I was not sure what to tell this bro. I ended up saying to him not to take as it would not be easy for him, otherwise he is going to be all worried during the flight and then while in Cuba, not worth it.

I always low ball the gifts, often ridiculously. I have a case, even if I say a brand name pair of denims is $5, I can always say that I got them on sale, how would they know? The worst case is they not accepting it and valuing it more. There is no break of rule here. As far as currency goes, it is hard currency. So you have to decide what to do.

They have their own prefixed evaluation of what certain items cost. Meaning, if you tell them that a pair of jeans were bought on sale for $5 and their chart indicates the jeans are worth $50, then be sure you will be charged duties on the $50 and not on the $5.

"This is Cuba".

[MrSoulo]

I understand if I have less then 5000 $ I don't have to declare it, but I will have with me more, so how should I proceed?

If you want to air on the side of caution then declare it. Since you are going for a month or more it would make sense to them that you are bringing this much cash. If you are American they will fully understand and not hassle you since American credit cards and bank cards don't work in Cuba. (I believe this has changed and some American banks are allowing usage in Cuba) However, if you are flying in under the radar (without the knowledge of the US govt) then I suggest you use cash only.

Hope this helps.

[Peregy]

If you take a lot more than 5000 $, then you may not want to convert all of them to CUC as you could have issues returning with them. There are some rules on how much you can convert back, and as you know CUC is worth nothing outside the country unless you plan to go back.

If you don't declare what you are carrying over 5000 $ then you are breaking a rule, simple as that. Is it a bit deal, I don't think so, no one is going to bother you for that. Still, it is against the rule, and if for whatever reason you are being frisked, then you must have the personality to deal with it. You may be going there with a ton of money to fuck as many chicas and have fun, keep in mind the cuban customs could think you are going with that kind of money for different reasons other than that, that is trouble.

I remember someone sending a PM asking me whether taking porn to Cuba is a crime. I said as long as you are watching it yourself why should it be a problem. The guy sent a PM back saying that he read that Cuban customs ask in the declaration form whether you are carrying porn, and he also read that there is something called corruption of minors thing that could be slapped if he has porn. I was not sure what to tell this bro. I ended up saying to him not to take as it would not be easy for him, otherwise he is going to be all worried during the flight and then while in Cuba, not worth it.

I always low ball the gifts, often ridiculously. I have a case, even if I say a brand name pair of denims is $5, I can always say that I got them on sale, how would they know? The worst case is they not accepting it and valuing it more. There is no break of rule here. As far as currency goes, it is hard currency. So you have to decide what to do.

I'm not planning to bring a lot more then 5000, I was thinking about 6000 $, just to be sure, for a 1 month trip.

I know it isn't smart to exchange all the money at once.

Why I'm asking is, I don't know how strict they are, I don't have a problem declaring them, as long as it's not going to be a problem. I dealt with a lot of customs and immigration around the world and some of them were a real pain to deal with.

[Taboc]

I read that if you bring more then 5000 $ in cash you have to declare it, so do I just write the amount in the customs declaration and go trough the 'nothing to declare line'? Or I just say I have less then 5000 $ with me?

If you take a lot more than 5000 $, then you may not want to convert all of them to CUC as you could have issues returning with them. There are some rules on how much you can convert back, and as you know CUC is worth nothing outside the country unless you plan to go back.

If you don't declare what you are carrying over 5000 $ then you are breaking a rule, simple as that. Is it a bit deal, I don't think so, no one is going to bother you for that. Still, it is against the rule, and if for whatever reason you are being frisked, then you must have the personality to deal with it. You may be going there with a ton of money to fuck as many chicas and have fun, keep in mind the cuban customs could think you are going with that kind of money for different reasons other than that, that is trouble.

I remember someone sending a PM asking me whether taking porn to Cuba is a crime. I said as long as you are watching it yourself why should it be a problem. The guy sent a PM back saying that he read that Cuban customs ask in the declaration form whether you are carrying porn, and he also read that there is something called corruption of minors thing that could be slapped if he has porn. I was not sure what to tell this bro. I ended up saying to him not to take as it would not be easy for him, otherwise he is going to be all worried during the flight and then while in Cuba, not worth it.

I always low ball the gifts, often ridiculously. I have a case, even if I say a brand name pair of denims is $5, I can always say that I got them on sale, how would they know? The worst case is they not accepting it and valuing it more. There is no break of rule here. As far as currency goes, it is hard currency. So you have to decide what to do.

[Taboc]

Chicas whose cedula card does not say havana are sent back to their home town unless they have a permit to temporarly visit a relative in havana. Many chicas from Holguin have told this, so it is not only about being with a gringo on the street but even them being solo on a main street, that is why it is so much easier meet them on the side streets rather than Galiano or Neptuno, a few blocks off those streets is a gold mine when the sun goes down, check out the doorsteps my friends.

Once I asked a good looking chica from Holguin, why she is not going to the clubs and look for guys. She said what you have stated, since she does not have a Havana address she will be an easy pick for the cops, and even the local girls don't treat her kindly. She would only goto the clubs with her relative with whom she was staying, and will pay the relative a part of what she would get from us.

Cubans look very easy going and all fun from outside, and it is nice to keep them that way. The more you get closer, that picture changes.

[Peregy]

If you have less than $5 k don't write anything, you don't have to legally. As far as gifts are concerned, I don't declare anything, it's best this way because it's less work for the customs officers and it's a lot less hassle for you.

They really can't be bothered checking you, so just take the easy way and don't declare anything.

I understand if I have less then 5000 $ I don't have to declare it, but I will have with me more, so how should I proceed?

[MrSoulo]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Cuba in January and been reading a lot about everything.

I read that if you bring more then 5000 $ in cash you have to declare it, so do I just write the amount in the customs declaration and go trough the 'nothing to declare line'? Or I just say I have less then 5000 $ with me?

If you have less than $5 k don't write anything, you don't have to legally. As far as gifts are concerned, I don't declare anything, it's best this way because it's less work for the customs officers and it's a lot less hassle for you.

They really can't be bothered checking you, so just take the easy way and don't declare anything.

[Bart1]

I paid my casa owner in USD at par and he was ecstatic. Many mom & pop businesses will also accept USD at par. So overall, I would keep the greenbacks. Even with the 10% penalty, it's still better. In my opinion of course.

I wrote the wrong numbers in my original post, the cuban was offering to swap $5 usd for 5 cucs, I countered and both times in the cadeca waiting line they accepted 4 cucs with not argument, they would be getting 4 1/2 cucs if then waited but would also have to show their cedula card. There is maybe a problem if their cedula card did not say their residence was havana. Chicas whose cedula card does not say havana are sent back to their home town unless they have a permit to temporarly visit a relative in havana. Many chicas from Holguin have told this, so it is not only about being with a gringo on the street but even them being solo on a main street, that is why it is so much easier meet them on the side streets rather than Galiano or Neptuno, a few blocks off those streets is a gold mine when the sun goes down, check out the doorsteps my friends.

[Peregy]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Cuba in January and been reading a lot about everything.

I read that if you bring more then 5000 $ in cash you have to declare it, so do I just write the amount in the customs declaration and go trough the 'nothing to declare line'? Or I just say I have less then 5000 $ with me?

[MrSoulo]

I agree with your black market usd as I was swapping $5 usd for 5 cucs in the waiting line at a cadeca in April, but disagree about the canucks, the cadecas charge the 10% penalty on the usd but not on the canuck, so if you can buy cads in the usa, try tdbank in the usa. You will be buying the cad at $0. 76 usd.

I paid my casa owner in USD at par and he was ecstatic. Many mom & pop businesses will also accept USD at par. So overall, I would keep the greenbacks. Even with the 10% penalty, it's still better. In my opinion of course.

[Bart1]

Don't get Canadian money. US dollars are highly sought after right now especially in the black-market. I've gotten par (1 for 1) while exchanging US for CUC privately. Your casa owner will be able to help you in this endeavor.

Even at the banks and CADECA your US dollars will get you further. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I agree with your black market usd as I was swapping $5 usd for 5 cucs in the waiting line at a cadeca in April, but disagree about the canucks, the cadecas charge the 10% penalty on the usd but not on the canuck, so if you can buy cads in the usa, try tdbank in the usa. You will be buying the cad at $0. 76 usd.

[MrSoulo]

I've read years worth of reports here and know Euros and Canadian dollars are best. But I don't have good access to them as I am American.

My question is 'how about Mexican pesos as I can attain them quite easy.

I read on the ' Goats on the road ' website they mentioned that Mexican peso were good also. Anybody with any recent knowledge?

Really appreciate any responses.

DaNuck

Dude,

Do NOT exchange your greenbacks for Mexican pesos or any other currency. Keep you American dollars and change them there in Cuba. American money is very sought after these days and you will get any where from $92 - $100 CUC for $100 US.

[DaNuck]

I've read years worth of reports here and know Euros and Canadian dollars are best. But I don't have good access to them as I am American.

My question is 'how about Mexican pesos as I can attain them quite easy.

I read on the ' Goats on the road ' website they mentioned that Mexican peso were good also. Anybody with any recent knowledge?

Really appreciate any responses.

DaNuck