I heard about a 'backdoor' flight from Miami airport to Havana. Apperantly its not advertised or shown on the boards at Miami but may be available to non US citizens. can anyone confirm this and tell me how I can arrange a flight.
Thanks
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These flights leave Miami for Havana on Mondays and
Saturdays. There are also flights to Holguin. The cost is
$299 roundtrip. However, in order to get on these flights,
you have to get permission from the U.S. Treasury
Department. I don't believe the flights are available to
non-U.S. citizens traveling for tourist reasons. However,
you might want to call Airline Broker Company (ABC
Charters) in Miami @ 305-871-1260 (3971 Southwest 8th
Street, #307, Miami 33134) to verify this. You can also
call Marazul Charters Inc. @ 305-644-0255 (Miami) or
201-319-3900 (New Jersey) for help. They can help make the
arrangement for anyone interested in taking these flights.
Bear in mind, these are charter flights for people traveling
for specific reasons. I don't think I would go so far as to
call them "back door" flights - but good luck and let us
know what happens!
A friend took this flight some time ago--he just got on,
went, and came back. Says he had no problems at all. Times
may have changed....
One correction: Treasury cannot and does not stop you from
traveling to Cuba. No one does. Treasury just says it's
illegal to spend U.S. money in Cuba, and they retain the
right to grab you when you come back, if they feel up to it.
Coyoteway refers to the Treasury Department and says,
"...they retain the right to detain you when you come back,
if they feel up to it." Believe me Coyoteway. THEY FEEL UP
TO IT! Of course, I have NOT been to Cuba, but the Treasury
Department thinks I have been.
-
Since they think I have been, they are acting on the
assumption that I have been, and are proceeding accordingly.
No assurances from me that I have not gone to Cuba can
convince them, so a group of lawyers are now handling the
situation for me.
-
The situation is now in the third stage following a
'prepenalty' notice of the exact amount of fine which they
are planning to assess me.
-
There are many people who HAVE GONE to Cuba who have not had
this happen to them, but just because one person has gone
with no problems does not mean that everyone is able to do
so.
-
I know a person who made ten trips to Cuba without
encountering a problem with customs or with the Treasury
Department. And just think, a person such as I, a person who
has never been to Cuba, is now faced with a HUGE fine.
That's what can happen when one buys Cuban cigars in Cancun
or Nassau and tries to bring them back to the U.S.
-
And to think, I am a non-smoker who just bought a few Cuban
cigars for some friends!!!
John Doe;
Hope you make out OK in winning your case. Do you think
this is the usual Treasury Dept. policy in harassing you
this way, or is some snotty-nose asshole in the Dept. on a
power trip?
I appreciate your interest Stuball. No, I don't think this
is the usual procedure for the Treasury Department at all. I
think it was simply a situation inwhich a customs agent had
a bad day or was enamored with the power of his position and
decided to make a 'grand' federal case of a minor federal
offense.
-
The agent had every right to do what he did. My attempting
to return to the U.S. with a Cuban product was a clear
violation of the long-standing embargo against Cuba. It was,
however, a violation that is most often handled differently.
Sometimes the traveler will be allowed to keep the items.
More often the items will simply be confiscated. On rare
occasions the agent will revel in wielding the power of his
position and decide to 'punish' the unlucky traveler by
writing him up and having him sign a form acknowledging the
items which were confiscated.
-
Once the traveler has been written up by customs, the
Treasury Department becomes involved and the traveler is
subject to the full range of the possible penalties, which
can include a $250,000 fine.
-
But back to answering your question Stuball. I agree with
your assessment that it was someone on a power trip, but
rather than it being a person in the Treasury Department, I
feel that it was the customs agent. He was the one
glorifying in the power of his position.
-
I got the distinct impression that the custom agent's
supervisor was not overly thrilled with the agent's heroic
efforts. He left me at his counter under the supervision of
a female agent for about 15-20 minutes while he talked with
his supervisor in an inner office.
-
My flight was due to leave, so after fifteen minmutes I
requested that the lady find out what they planned to do and
if they intended to make me miss my flight. She went to the
office. Word was sent to the gate to hold my flight, and she
told me that the agent was with his supervisor.
-
The supervisor walked from his office to the counter, looked
around, and without saying a word, returned to his office.
-
The diligent, hard-working agent returned and had me sign a
form acknowledging the confiscation of the cigars. I was
then permitted to board my flight.
-
The behavior of the supervisor and the resultant attitude of
the customs agent gave me reason to think that perhaps the
agent had not received a glowing commendation for his
actions. Regardless of what the supervisor felt or thought
about making a 'federal case' over a few cigars, I am still
faced with the follow-up actions of the Treasury Department.
-
Getting back to answering your question, no, I don't feel
this is the usual policy of either U.S. Customs or the
Treasury Department. I feel that it is an abberation, but it
is one that ANY traveler is subject to. Finding oneself in a
legal nightmare can be entirely dependent on the whims and
fancy of a customs agent.
-
I feel that hundreds of U.S. citizens DO go to Cuba without
having this happen to them. I feel that the risk in going to
Cuba is minimal, but the risk is real and does exist.
-
Thanks Stuball for your interest and your best wishes. This
message is not intended as an attempt to dissuade anyone
from going to Cuba. It is simply to let travelers know that
problems can and do arise, and one should consider in
advance how he/she will respond if such a problem does
arise.
-
Dan Snow from Texas is another U.S. citizen who has
encountered a bit of a problem with the Treasury department
over going to Cuba. Unsubstantiated reports indicate than
Dan has been to Cuba more than 150 times. He and I are the
only two that I have personal knowledge of having a problem
with OFAC over this issue.
-
If others out there have had a similar problem, perhaps they
can offer some insight throught this forum. It could be that
those who have had a problem have come to the same
conclusion that I have. I feel that perhaps the customs
service can and does surf the WWW researching methods
travelers use in going to Cuba and avoiding scrutiny by the
customs upon their return.
-
In February, 1999 the nonprofit, international organization
called Global Exchange based in California posted a message
on a news group stating that the group had received a "cease
and desist" order from The Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) demanding that they stop organizing travel to cuba
for U.S. citizens. The order also demanded that the group
provide the names of all participants on such trips since
March 1996.
-
Global Exchange has refused to comply with that order. I am
not aware of any recent developments regarding this issue.
The 'wheels of justice' grind slowly, so it may be months
and even years before those who participated in those trips
will know whether they will be prosecuted for traveling to
Cuba.
-
The posting continues, "We at Global Exchange view the cease
and desist order as a significant threat but also an
incredible opportunity...for a major struggle with OFAC."
They have sought the assistance of the same group of lawyers
who are representing me. They, too, have garnered the
support of the Center for Constitutional Rights from New
York.
-
Global Exchange applied for a Cuba travel providers license
in 1994. They also submitted numerous requests for travel
licenses to OFAC over a period of several years, all to no
avail.
-
The restrictions on travel to Cuba and the prosecution or
levying of fines on those who do travel to Cuba are very
questionable in view of the United States current stand in
Europe. The U.S. prides itself on being a model of democracy
and human rights, yet it prosecutes or fines its citizens
who are accused of going to Cuba.
-
This U.S. policy as well as the economic embargo against
Cuba is being questioned more and more by other countries in
the world. The U.S. rightly spotlights human rights
violations in Cuba. Other countries are beginning to ask
more and more questions of the U.S. policy towards its own
citizens, as well as the policy toward Cuba.
-
Perhaps questions are due to be asked on all sides!
coyoteway--it is a bit of a falacy regarding the Treasury
Dept thing about not spending money in Cuba. That has
always been the argument, but things are a changin' in our
fine government. If you are caught going to Cuba it is not
a matter of saying, "Oh geewilickers, you caught me going
to Cuba, but I didn't spend any money there, prove it!"
No, what YOU have to prove is that you didn't spend money
there, not that the US Treasury Dept has to prove that you
did. This is a recent change (I think within the past
year?) and changes the burden of proof to the traveler--
actually, a pretty novel way of "turning the tables" IMHO.
John Doe--I think your original moniker was posted here
before, but now that it is John Doe, so be it...although
Jose Doe seems better ;-P. Man oh man, why not just take
the Cohiba "collars" off the cigars, hide them, and then
paste them back on when you got to North America? What?
You bought a whole case? Yikes, I don't know, you're
playing with fire (and the ironic part is, is that you
might have bought fake ones). Fuck the cigar thing, I
purposely had Cuban Immigration put a stamp in my passport
when I went to Cuba...stupid, eh?
Yeah, Dan Snow is for real and I think it's more than 150
trips to Cuba. He was written up in the Austin American
Statesman (or whatever the local rag is called there) this
past fall. I saw the article. They have a website, you
might check it out.
it's nothing new that you're guilty until proven innocent in the eyes of the INS. at a border crossing the usual rules of justice INSIDE the USA don't work (and are not guaranteed constitutionally or otherwise, i.e. you have NO rights) and if they think you are up to anything they'll cause you grief.
i'm a canadian who has crossed over at buffalo dozens of times and even though i've never overstayed a visitor visa or worked illegally in the states get asked more than the usual number of questions and detained in their office for yet more questions by gun-toting officers at the wrong end of the 'peace' bridge, most times, simply because i'm a youngish male with a fairly old car.
as for going to cuba, if it's through canada just don't say so to the americans when you get back.
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to go from Miami to
Havana or anywhere else in Cuba by boat ?
Thanks
So much for the land of the free and the home of the brave.
As a proud U.S. Citizen, I have to tell you that I find it
horseshit that the State Department tells me where I can or
can not go. I have been to Cuba twice. Both times via the
Cayman Islands. Both times using a Canadian Passport (I was
born stateside and raised in Canada) why is it that our
politicians need to take lessons from neighbors in Ottawa
Ontario? CALL JESSE HELMS. Let him know that embargoes do
not work. They didn't in 1962, and, 37 years later they
still don't. My advice in going to Cuba is this: Fly via
either Cancun or Toronto. Immigration in Havana will stamp
a piece of paper that you can throw out when you leave.
Just let them know that you do not want your US Passport
stamped.
Hope this helps, and my most sincere wishes to the poor lad
dealing with Federal Red Tape - Miami lobbyist bullshit.
Thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts and best wishes. I
have heard nothing from OFAC since January, and I adopt the
view that 'no news is good news'.
-
Your insight and recall are pretty good Wayfarer! I
untimately received the copy of the article from the Austin
newspaper to which you refer. It was sent by the person whom
you suggested I contact. Thanks!
-
Did anyone notice the announcement last week (April 16,
1999) that fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar paid a $31,000
fine to settle allegatins that Harper's violated the U.S.
economic embargo against Cuba?
-
The violations were the result of Harper's Bazaar paying 10
individuals for participating in a photo shoot in Cuba last
year.
-
The magazine paid for airfare as well as for transportation,
lodging, and meals for the participants.
-
Two Miami charter groups also paid fines to OFAC over
allegations that they were operating charter flights between
Nassau and Havana. C&T Charters paid a $125,000 fine and
Wilson International Services Inc. paid $61,000 for
violations cited by OFAC.
-
As I mentioned earlier, the wheels of justice grind slowly.
It is difficult to know when and to what extent OFAC will
pursue those whom they think have violated the embargo. I
prefer not to find out!
-
Chao to all!
Although not an American but Canadian,please do not worry
too much.
Lonely Planet Guide to Cuba (1997)reported that a few
Americans received notices,letters etc but as at that
time,nothing else afterwards.
As per the Magazine you mentionned,let us say ,that this is
the way publicity is made....
Walmart US and Walmart Canada had quite a show on this
matter last year when the latest imported and offered for
sale Cuban Pyjamas and Us authorities advised of such went
to Wallmart US and threatened them with a fine of $50,000 a
day as per Helms Burton Law and Canada replied to Walmart
Canada with a fine of $1 million a day .
As seen on TV,consumers in Canada bought them all within
less than 2 days...
US is also VERY MUCH PREOCCUPIED with US Investors who wants
to invest in Cuba.
Too many countries and investors of those are being
priviliged in Cuba.
Therefore the threat that you received,before going any
further may be well considered since the authorities would
want to make an example???
I personnaly doubt it
Non official figures of CIA reveals us that 150,000
Americans are visiting Cuba.
Let me know how this turns up and you have my respect for
your action
Thanks Jean Pierre (and everyone else) for your thoughts.
It's always good to get additional information such as that
concerning the situation with Walmart. Many different bits
and pieces can help to make the total picture clearer.
-
I am not OVERLY concerned with the situation with OFAC, but
I must admit that I do have some concerns. Those concerns
are not enough to prevent me from traveling whenever
possible.
-
My net amigo Wayfarer mentions (facetiously I hope) my
having a case of cigars. It was only a couple of boxes, but
any amount is dangerous. Upon rereading the official rules
and regulations from OFAC at their website, I have come to
the conclusion that it is left somewhat to the discretion of
the individual customs official as to whether he will
confiscate the items or permit the traveler to keep them.
-
I have experienced this personally. On another trip to a
location where Cuban cigars and Cuban rum were available, I
was returning with a bottle of Cuban rum and a box of Cuban
cigars (ONE box Wayfarer :-) !)
-
The U.S. customs agent searched my luggage and found both
the cigars and the rum. After she had confiscated both, I
said, "At least let me keep the rum!" She smiled and slid
the bottle back across to me.
-
Humanity and reason do prevail at times!
-
Jean Pierre, concerning my dilemma with OFAC, the lawyer
handling my case is in the process of making OFAC a token
offer much, much smaller than the amount they are asking to
settle my case. I will definitely keep the group posted
about the outcome. Thanks for being interested.
-
I also appreciate those who have had the decency to refrain
from saying, "That's a bunch of crap! The U.S. would never
do such a thing! You must be making it up." There have been
a couple who have said, "NO ONE has ever been fined for
going to Cuba."
-
I haven't been fined yet, but it does seem to be in the
works.