Allowable Ship Stores while in CUBA

[Nomad 1]

We are planning on sailing from St. Martin to Cuba in January 2016. Does anyone know or experienced what is allowed and quantity of ship stores. IE BEEF, Spirits, Tobacco etc. We have heard they take all your beef.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Nomad.

Visitors are allowed to bring into Cuba, duty free, two (or 3) bottles of liquor, one carton of cigarettes and up to 10 kilograms of medicine.

All kinds of seeds, fresh animal or vegetable products are prohibited, unless prior approval has been obtained from Ministry of Agriculture.

➥ http://gocuba.ca/client/tips/show.php?tip_id=7

➥ http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/CU-C...ns-details.htm

[a64pilot]

When I flew back into the US from Canada, the CBP took our sandwich meat, so it's us too.

[bobnlesley]

Gord's post shows the 'official' rules, but based on our own experiences earlier in the year - and those of the folks we met/spoke to - the authorities weren't confiscating ships stores, beyond the occasional 'sample' for testing/checking (cans of beer - even Cuban ones - often needed one or two checking)

The only thing I would warn of bringing in are controlled/recreational drugs and firearms, they have sniffer dogs for both; the Cubans do not pussy-foot around with druggies, even if it's just a couple of spliffs, you will go to jail, directly to jail and stay there, I suspect they take a similar dim view on firearms.

[zboss]

I know the Canadians have been going there for decades but for us US citizens...

We had a great Cuba talk at the Sail Magazine "sailing south" seminar a few weeks ago. It was given by Cheryl Barr and her dad whom have been cruising Cuba for about 15 years or so IIRC.

She has an excellent book (although in need of update since détente relations) on Cuba that covers all that and more.

http://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Guide...+guide+to+cuba

In a nutshell she says carry turkey instead of chicken and the following items will be confiscated:

- Fresh Eggs
- Fresh/Frozen Chicken
- Citrus

[anacapaisland42]

Cuba Inspectors sealed our cheese and we were warned of dire consequences if it was disposed of whilst we were there..... including eating it!!!

Originally Posted by Nomad 1

We are planning on sailing from St. Martin to Cuba in January 2016. Does anyone know or experienced what is allowed and quantity of ship stores. IE BEEF, Spirits, Tobacco etc. We have heard they take all your beef.

[Dehler 25]

Active Captain just posted an awesome link to a FREE cruising guide to Cuba that outlines everything you can and can't do. The can't are drugs, pornography, firearms. The guide also tells what is technically against the laws but probably wouldn't be bothered. I saved a copy but changed the name from the link so I can't post it. Just look and you can download. I was written by Amaia Agirre and Frank Virgintino

[Scout 30]

Free Cruising Guides

[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

When I flew back into the US from Canada, the CBP took our sandwich meat, so it's us too.

Speaking as a person who crosses the US/CA border every week, I question the accuracy of your statement.

Are you sure it was the CBP that took your sandwich meat and not the USBP?

When travelling to the USA, one usually only clears US CUSTOMS, You would encounter the CBP only when entering Canada. And yes, the US Customs will certainly confiscate any meat products in you baggage ... as will CBP if you are entering Canada. It's what they do ...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Sailorbob8599

Speaking as a person who crosses the US/CA border every week, I question the accuracy of your statement.
Are you sure it was the CBP that took your sandwich meat and not the USBP?
...

"CBP" refers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection
➥ U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Securing America's Borders

"CBSA" refers to Canada Border Services Agency

[rosatte]

Been to cuba 6 times a canadian. They do not allow meats or fruits of anykinds into country same as U.S canada.

[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by GordMay

"CBP" refers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection
➥ U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Securing America's Borders

"CBSA" refers to Canada Border Services Agency

Funny how we speak the same language and yet not. But yes, you are correct GordMay, i was thinking he used CBP as i would ... Canadian Border Patrol ... use of abbreviations can cause much confusion ... especially on an INTERNATIONAL forum. We really should use the full names ...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Sailorbob8599

... i was thinking he used CBP as i would ... Canadian Border Patrol ...

Except Canada doesn't have a "Border Patrol" - the USA does.

In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established, and the U.S. Border Patrol became part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of DHS.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was created in 2003, by an order-in-council amalgamating Canada Customs (from the now-defunct Canada Customs and Revenue Agency - CCRA) with border and enforcement personnel from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The Agency's creation was formalized by the Canada Border Services Agency Act in 2005.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

When I flew back into the US from Canada, the CBP took our sandwich meat, so it's us too.

I guess I wasn't plain enough, but I was in the US, and I have a real dislike for the CBP, exceeded only I guess by the TSA as they are both idiots, the TSA being I believe the worst.

Point I was trying to make is the Cubans in taking Beef aren't doing anything that the US governments representatives aren't going to do to you, that for some reason confiscating Beef is common.
I don't pretend to know why, all I knew was I wasn't eating Lunch like I thought I would be.


Now for some reason when they were Border Patrol they seemed to be logical and helpful, courteous etc., but when they became the CBP, they hired Barney Fife or maybe Eric Cartman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4jn77VKlQ

[Gary H]

LOVE the Cartman clips!

Back when I flew for the airlines, the US authorities confiscated the contents of my lunch cooler that I had flown that day from the US to Canada (where I was not allowed to get off the plane to buy food) and straight back to the same US airport. The best part was that this was on the first day of a four-day trip so I was carrying three more days of food with me. When I asked why they were hassling flight crew, the helpful officer explained that they often targeted uniformed pilots for extra security scrutiny since we were the least likely to cause them any trouble.

Rant complete. Can you tell how much I miss my old job?