Havana, Cuba

[Avana]

I know! I find it so weird that there seems to be so many people for every other VO but not Cuba, and like you, I know so many people and hear of people in our exact situation all the time!

 

[KJG]

Good Morning Cuba Thread! Hope everyone had a good weekend.....13 days until I leave and I can hardly wait.....have started the dreaded packing and weighing of luggage!!!

 

[Avana]

Good morning to you too!! Wouldn`t it be great if the weight of our luggage didn`t matter?? Especially since when we get to Cuba we have husbands to carry the heavy ones too! ;D

Im hoping to go on October 5th too, waiting to hear back from my travel agent about it!! Is the embassy in Havana closed today too?

 

[KJG]

Good morning to you too!! Wouldn`t it be great if the weight of our luggage didn`t matter?? Especially since when we get to Cuba we have husbands to carry the heavy ones too! ;D

Im hoping to go on October 5th too, waiting to hear back from my travel agent about it!! Is the embassy in Havana closed today too?

No I don't think so....I think it is just a mexican holiday today......must be nice working at a embassy and getting both sets of holidays off!!!! Sorray Avana.....where is your husband from?

 

[Avana]

Its always nice working for the government, LOTS of benefits like days off... lol

My husband is from Holguin city, Holguin!

 

[Avana]

But we would be going to Havana for the weekend

 

[shuster2210]

I got stopped going through on the 31st. Young Aduana girl said I had too much luggage (2 suitcases) lol
I played dumb (fluent in Spanish) but pretended not to understand her, and told he in English it was my mothers suitcase and she already went through

Heard they are coming down on Cubans and tourists with the new luggage charges etc. so pack as lightly as you possibly can!

I left the majority of my clothes and bath/beauty products in Cuba to try and eliminate the weight for my next few trips down!

 

[Avana]

??? Really?? What was the purpose of them stopping you?? If you paid for the suitcase and youre not bringing electronics or things to sell then whats their problem with it?? My parents got checked when they last went to Cuba.. nothing happened but was a pain for sure.

Where do you go to when you go to Cuba Shuster? Which airport?

 

[shuster2210]

This was in Havana, but have been through Holguin a million time.
Not sure if you are aware, but as of Septemer 3rd, all luggage weighing over 25kilos is taxable.
Cuba does not care if you have paid for your bags or not, that has nothing to do with customs.
Check out the Aduana website.
You may get stopped, you may not. But these are the new rules.

 

[shuster2210]

And it is charge at 100% taxes. And they decide the prices at which they will charge your items.
And they will deem which items will be charged and not.

 

[KJG]

And it is charge at 100% taxes. And they decide the prices at which they will charge your items.
And they will deem which items will be charged and not.

yep....read about that shuster2210.......they talked about it a few months ago but it sounds now like they are implementing it......and you are right there is not control really on what they can charge yet....there is this big scheme about weight and/or retail value....and of course it is their retail value not what you actually paid for it.......my understanding is they have done this because many self employed people where getting friends to bring in supplies for them......just a way for the government to collect money and ensure the self employed do not prosper....it is very disheartening for the cubans because of course it is the poor cubans who suffer once again

 

[Avana]

wow... I heard they would be charging for food coming in (of all sorts--leaving mothers with young children having to pay for any snacks or foods their children need), but I had no idea it is on everything!! Is this ONLY if your luggage is more than 25 kg? what if you have 2 suitcases? Are we seriously not allowed to bring any gifts at all? My husband's birthday is next month!

Its crazy to me that they can arbitrarily decide how much they will charge you and for what! They now weigh your suitcases coming in too??

 

[shuster2210]

Avana. These have always been the rules, but tourists were generally left alone unless they appeared to have a lot of luggage.
You may get stopped, you may not. Es Cuba
But just be aware that this is what is happening.

 

[shuster2210]

And yes. If you are over 25kg and they stop you they will decide what to charge you for and how much they will charge.

 

[Avana]

Ok. Thanks for the info Shuster. I dont usually go over weight in one suitcase but I have brought 2 suitcases. Anyways nothing to do but wait and see...