U.S. citizen flying to Cuba via Mexico. Any do's or dont's at customs?

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Daughtry-luver

The only DON'T is don't go.
You are going to end up with a lot of fines for traveling to Cuba without permission.

Currently, in order to go down legally if you are a US citizen you need a Treasury license, which you obtain from OFAC, Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. If you are Cuban-American or married to one, you can go down once every 3 years under a "general license" for humanitarian reasons (grave illness in the family, etc) and you only need to notify them via a form, but you do not need to get a license from them before leaving. If you are a "U.S. and foreign government official traveling on official business, including a representative of international organizations of which the U.S. is a member; or a journalist regularly employed by a news reporting organization," you also qualify for this "general license." Otherwise you need to get a license from OFAC to avoid being at risk for large fines ($3,000 to $10,000 typically!).

Bottom line I guess is if you want to chance it be prepared for the fines when you get back home, and think about it this way if something pops off while you're down there you're SOL and on your own. It won't be like going to Jamaica and needing US assistance.

gimpy@pacbell.net

all these answers all bull sh1t. You tell the custom officials to quit wasting your time. You hate Bush just like everyone else does. (they really like that) Top it off by wearing a HILLARY in '09 button on your lapel. WELCOME TO CUBA!!!!!!

nomadic10denc

The restrictions are American ones (like not going at all) not Cuba's. You have the option of having your passport stamped when exiting- it may be in your interest to avoid having it stamped, as the fines are outrageous. Though, its not likely that the US govt would prosecute.
Enjoy the island- its an amazing country!

David D

Don't make jokes about bombs

david c

just be really smart about it. dont dress like an idiot.. dress like a normal person and act normal and cool and collected. if you seem nervous or anything like that they would be more likely to search you or something.

cubanitoquebola11

I was there last year went the same way through mexico pain in the ***....once you get to Mexico TJ airport they open up your bags so dont use a lock like I did. They will make you take it off and not put it back on ask you a few questions. Make sure your have Visa Passport, Ticket, ID. Dont take stuff you shouldnt just like LAX airport do to 9/11. In Cuba BECAREFUL people in the airport will try to take your bloodpressure blah blah blah all for some money talk in english and get away with almost everything. I took a labtop and with a US passport got away with it . Just pay get out of cuban airport as quick as you can to save your money. Have fun ! :o)

Kelsey H

Yeah, don't criticize Castro, and don't let the US government know that you left Mexico.

Billy no Mates

1.dont carry nives
2.dont threaten the security guard
3.do as they say
4 cooperate

Just a friend.

There are no "do's", just "dont's". The US government has been cracking down hard on those that travel to Cuba, if you get caught you won't think it was a fair trade to go. The fact is Cuba is a third world country, crumbling and living on the past. Poverty is everywhere but the tourist areas, it's not like you are missing much.

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