I'm going to Cuba in July for a month and a half for
vacation and some volunteer work. Since I am moving away
from the States and have a 13" color TV set to give away, I
thought that I could take it with me for my friends in
Guantanamo as a present. Now I know that, like in the US,
the Cuban TV stations have fix channels, but I'm not sure
whether Cuba has the same system so that you can use US
TV sets in Cuba. Please help me on this one as I don't want
to carry around a 20 lb piece which no one can use. Thank
you in advance.
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Lucas,
The tv's in Cuba work the same as in the U.S. As long as
this TV as "Rabbit Ears" it will do just fine. Cuba only
has two tv channels, so again, it sounds like this tv will
be suffice. Good luck carrying this thing through Cuban
Customes and across the country side.
Jose Ramon
Cuban customs will not let you carry around a TV.
You cannot bring to Cuba a gift with a value of more than
$50.00
Yes, they will let you bring the TV in...but they will
assess you a preset value...in other words, whatever they
think it is worth they will charge you...probably $300 US
dollars.
I would not recommend bringing it with you
Another reason why the Cuban people have so little is
because the government makes it very hard to bring things
in. Getting this little piece of equipment through customs
will be a slight pain. Firstly, if you plan on giving it
away as a gift, the government will charge you a tax -
approximately 50% of their estimated value of the TV. (I
know this because my girlfriend works in customs.) However,
if you tell them that it's for your own personal use and you
will be taking it back to your country with you - no
problem. You must be firm that you are taking it out and
that you are not paying a tax - and it will work. You can
also slide one of these people $5-$10 to let you through
with no hassle. Unfortunately, everyone working in the
airport is looking for a way to get 'tips' from foreigners.
But it will work. Also, if they ask why you have the TV,
you might want to make up some story like you are studying
spanish and you thought that having a TV and being able to
watch Cuban television would be of great help. If you still
want to take the TV, go ahead. There will plenty of other
people bringing things. But just be prepared for a small
battle.
After reading your post I'm kicking myself for not thinking
the same line(must be the former jarhead in me:-) I remember
one time I got into an argument when I tried to bring
medicine, school supply, magazines...and I was told to pay
up. I got so pissed I tore up the papers, crush the tylynol
capsul and destroy the gifts till they are satisfy. There is
also a 20kg(44pounds) limit include carryon so keep that in
mind.
Thank you Jose Ramon, Jean Pierre, Jan, Diago, and joe for
all the helpful info. I decided to take the TV with me and
make up some sort of story about my personal use of it. If
that doesn't work, I will try to bribe the customs official.
The latter option is tough for me to do because I believe
bribing is a sort of exploitation. However, I believe it
will be worth it for the sake of my Cuban friends as they
can then enjoy color TV.
If you say it is for personal use, won't you get papers
requiring that you also leave with it, or face a fine of its
value? (Just a thought, I haven't been to Cuba, but have
run into similar situations in my travels to Latin America.)
Just throw the papers away after you leave the airport. I
would just tell them that I have no idea what they are
talking about! Actually, I don't think they are that
sophisticated where they actually track what comes in and
out of the country. However, I'll check with my personal
customs agent and let you know if I find out anything to the
contrary.
I brought down a ghetto blaster...CDN value $100 or about
$65 USD. They tried to assess me $200 USD for it! I
%
Diago is quite accurate in his accounts. I too, took a
ghetto blaster down and they tried to assess me $200 USD
dollars for a $90 CDN ghetto blaster. I refused to pay
claiming it was for my own personal use...they are quite
adamant, but you remain firm in your conviction and they
will relent. They did give me a paper to bring with me to
immigration upon my departure, I threw it away and gave the
ghetto blaster away too! No problems leaving the country.
I don't mean to be negative, but some of the assessment is
pocketed...so hold your ground!
Yes hold on....
You cannot enter in Cuba a TV or VHS or any gifts worth over
$50 US without paying a tax equivalent to 100% of the value
of the item,assessed by Custom authorities.
Meaning...If Cuban Custom think that what you are bringin in
is worth $200,they will charge you $200.
I travelled with friends who carried TV's and VCR's,they
were left at Jose Marti of course,who wants to pay such a
fee and when they were claimed back by the same tourists on
their way back....the claim office was not yet open.
Another scenario that I have seen,was a Cuban CDN or
whathever and confronted to what he should
pay,well...smashed the TV on the floor in front of Cuban
authorities and was asked later why the gesture?They Cuban
officers would have dealed with the matter....
I was searched ounce at Jose Marti and I had with me a
Coleman lantern (batteries and charger) and in 1997,the
limit was $100 US and I was within that limit,except for
some pens,pencils and solar calculators for a school.
Well it took 3 officers to clear me out since I DID NOT
BULGE and even threaten to destroy everything in their face.
It took also 90 minutes of negotiations.
I visited since then Commercial Centers in Habana and found
the anwers.
Cuban authorities wants $$$ and no gifts.
Bring $ and Cubans will buy TV'S and VHR'S in their country
and the $ will go back to Cuba.
Forget about aspirins,they will go on the black market.
Medecine products.....Yes
School Utilities......Yes
Know in advance where you want to distribute these products
and stand your ground,facing Customs.