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CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE CUBA PAGE
Checklist for Captains traveling to Cuba
on Valid Licensed Travel
(Even if it is unlicensed travel, the procedures are all the same
except for presenting an authorized license for clearing back in with US
Customs/Immigration)
DISCLAIMER: To all readers of
this information, including U.S. Government agencies, officials and
representatives: Nothing in this website does, nor is intended to,
encourage illegal activity of any type whatsoever including illegally spending
money in Cuba or violation of any part of the U.S. Embargo against Cuba or any
other law by U.S. citizens or others. We believe all information reported here,
and all activity within this organization and website, to be within the allowed
scope of the law, and all readers are encouraged to validate this for
themselves. The purpose of information presented on this website is simply to
help people in both Cuba and the U.S.. We hereby assert our claim to all of our
U.S. Constitutional Rights including Freedom of Speech.
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Get your US Customs Decal - if you don't have it
already. Forms on the previous page.
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Fill out and submit the USCG application to depart the
Security Zone.
We usually print up a separate crew list and attach it to the application.
Though not necessary on the form, it is helpful if you put down your OFAC
license number for travel. It's possible that the USCG may request photo
copies of passports or other picture ID. If everyone is a US citizen, say so
on the form. On the form you'll be asked for your approximate position of
intended entry into Cuban waters (12 miles offshore). For departures from the
mid Keys through Key West, this is approximately 23 22.7N 082 21.4W if you're going
into Hemingway. They must fax back to you an approved copy of this form. We
ask crew to mail in (faxed copies are sometimes rejected because of quality)
to us a good copy of the face page of their passport (picture & passport #
pages), plus their address, phone # and Soc. Security #. (The SSN is not
required by anyone unless you come back and something has to be confiscated by
US Customs. Then you need their SSN so it's easier just to ask for this in the
beginning.)
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Ensure that your passport is in order and ON BOARD! for
you and all crew. If for any reason you lose your passport while in Cuba,
there is an American Interest Section in Havana that can re-issue a passport
for US Citizens. - It's an unofficial US Embassy.
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Print up a sheet in multiple copies (6-10?) of the specs on
your boat. This will save you time in Cuba when you clear in with
authorities. You can simply give each one a copy. We do ours with the labels
in both English and Spanish. Items you should include are: VESSEL NAME ;
YEAR/TYPE/MODEL ; DOCUMENTATION OR REGISTRATION NUMBER (You'll also need your
boat registration to show them) ; PORT OF REGISTRY ; LENGTH/BEAM/DRAFT ; TONNAGE
(From your documentation papers) ; HULL COLOR ; MADE OF (like fiberglass,
steel, wood) ; MAKE OF MOTOR & HORSEPOWER EA ; TYPE OF FUEL; DINGHY MADE OF ;
TYPE & HORSEPOWER OF OUTBOARD ; FUEL OF OUTBOARD ; CAPTAINS NAME & ADDRESS.
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Print up a sheet in multiple copies (6-10?) of you and your
crew. Include: NAME ; PASSPORT # ; EXPIRATION DATE ; DATE OF BIRTH ;
NATIONALITY (If it's all U.S., just say so at the top of the pate). Also list
the Captain first and indicate that on the sheet. This will be given to all
the Cuban officials as they check you in. They will check this against the
actual passports and faces, but they don't have to re-write everything this
way - they just take a copy. CLICK HERE
for a sample form to duplicate for your own boat (MS word document).
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ACQUIRE YOUR "SOJOURN" LICENSE FROM THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT
- - This is either of forms BIS-748P or BXA-748P. Call them at
202-482-4811 to request it.
It is not available online as of June
2004. This is the standard EXPORT license which can also cover the
humanitarian (or commercial if approved) donations you are making.
CLICK HERE for more info.
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WHEN EXPORTING EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES - COMPLETE NECESSARY
PAPERWORK AT THE U.S. CUSTOMS OFFICE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE (The day before is
OK). This can become very involved and we won't expand on it here. It includes
presenting your Export License, OFAC license, filling out ship's forms and
export declarations, and including specific codes for types of products you
are exporting (they have the THICK book of codes in fine print there at the
office). Customs then provides you with a departure clearance. If you are NOT
taking supplies on that particular trip - for instance if you're meeting with
the groups in Cuba to determine needs for future supplies, or following up on
distribution of past donations, then you don't need to clear out with customs
prior to departure (they tell me from the Key West office). Just depart after you get the Security Zone permit. Most
people that take casual humanitarian donations (Cuba allows you to take in up
to 22lbs per person of personal donations) don't bother to check out with US
Customs, - but if you do have the Commerce Dept Export license then you should
pre-clear with US Customs.
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Arrive in Cuba and Clear with Cuban Authorities - This
is the easiest part of the entire process, but be patient. Each person has a
job to do - es necessario. The process can take 2 hours or so, shorter if
you're lucky. Relax. Remember though that Marina
Hemingway is not setup to take large quantities of donations and will not
allow you to do so. You are allowed by Cuban authorities to take up to 22 lbs
of donations per person on board, for donation to the Cuban people.
Authorities will ask you if you want your passport stamped directly, or just
on a paper insert. (Licensed vs nonlicensed travelers?). You'll buy your Visa
from them for $15 (Jan 2002). Don't take in Eggs,
any fresh meat like chicken or steak (frozen is OK). Milk is OK. If you
have something disallowed you can always give it to them. Clearing out is in
reverse after you pay the dockmaster in Cuba. You might have drug and/or gun
sniffing dogs brought aboard, and you might have a diver look under your boat.
As long as you're clean there is no problem.
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Return to the U.S. and begin Clearance Procedures. -
This is where you'll need all your U.S. licenses. You can go into any port
along the Keys, but then must immediately call US Customs on their 800# to
report in. As of Jan 2002 they will not give you a clearance number but will
refer you to Key West Customs if you're South of Key Largo. Take down the
persons name and badge number and enter into your ship's log as evidence of
the call. Then call Key West customs and report in. They will require you to come to Key West (the next day is usually OK of you're getting
in late) to be interviewed and review your papers. All crew are usually
required to go. Sometimes it's easiest just to go into a Marina in Key West
and complete everything there on your boat. (They quite coming to your boat as
of spring 2002 and now you have to take a cab in to their office). Clearing in will include checking
with Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture. Customs will want a complete list
of everything you've brought back from Cuba (don't lie to them). If you're on
a license you can bring back a certain amount (see Cuba page) but they'll
seize anything in excess of your allowance. Non licensed travelers can bring
back books and literature, music, and original paintings, but that's about it.
Licensed travelers will need your Treasury Dept OFAC license and attached
letter showing your name on it, and the Export License for the boat captain (even if you didn't
take any donations, Key West says this applies to your boat for the return to
the U.S.).
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Tell all your friends and acquaintances how wonderful the
Cuban people are, and encourage all legal travel to Cuba to see for themselves.
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If You Travel to Cuba WITHOUT any license, and don't
qualify under the General license provisions of the embargo: -- What you
should do is clear back in with customs just as everyone else does. However,
John Young of Conchord Cayo Hueso advises you to NOT answer any questions
regarding the details of your stay in Cuba. Go to the
OFAC Responses page to see how you should
handle this. However, keep in mind that they arrested John Young once, and
just recently (June 2004) indicted two sailors on criminal charges for going
"improperly" (whatever that means). Discretion is the better part of valor. Do
everything by the book to begin with and you should not have a problem.
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