Hi,
It's my first time ever posting anything on any online forum but I think when it comes to possibly losing your drone any information is helpful and I hope this post helps anyone who found themselves in the position I was in just a few days ago. (Nov 2019)
I'm on a round the world trip with girlfriend and Cuba was our first stop. At the airport in Havana they scan and check all bags coming through. My drone was seized and over the course of 2 hours or so I was brought from official to official to see what was to be done.
Long story short I left the airport but my drone was taken into a white cotton sack and secured with blue cable ties. It was put in a wooden crate behind a desk.
I was also given a document (in Spanish naturally) which said it would be kept in Retention for 30 days, after which it is available to collect (if deemed safe) for a 30 day window if you have proof you are leaving the country. All of this, it turns out, is completely made up.
Cubans I met and spoke to told me to go to the airport early on the day we leave and be mad as hell. Start showing your passport and asking for a manager. Demand your property back and state that you will speak to your embassy etc.
All that goes against my better nature and I would rather avoid an argument and a show, but we did it....and it worked!
Arrived 6 hours early. Couldn't speak to customs until 3hours or so before flight when you are checked in. The customs people are where you walk through the body scanner at the airport. That seems to be their office.
I didn't raise my voice or anything but I was stern. I showed my document and they just said to come back in an hour. I went to grab my document again and insisted that they get my property immediately. They can be very slow to do anything, so I stood there and waited until they picked up the phone and rang the "office". I was told there was no one answering so I just said to ring again. It went on like this for an hour. I hovered around and just stayed there all the time.
Umpteen times I was told the drone was lost, it was on its way, wait 5 more minutes, it's coming, it's lost...I had 30 minutes before my flight left so I started giving them the embassy talk, disgrace talk, showing my passport and saying this was theft. I even started gesturing and clapping loudly at them for them to ring again...embarrassing, I know.
Then, with 20 minutes to go...the white sack with the blue cable ties turns up. I signed some form, paid a fee (35CUC - about 35EUR) and hopped onto my plane.
*****
If going to Cuba only, leave the drone at home.
If travelling onwards, see can you send it to a hotel, hostel or friend in another country you're visiting rather than bringing it to Cuba.
If bringing it to Cuba, it will probably be seized. You will get it back, but do not lose the document you get when they take it from you, show up early on your departure date and be firm, cross and not accepting of excuses. Even if that goes against your nature.
Note,
I met with customs on departure at 4am. So it's 24hr.
Customs officials are all young and look like they don't want to be there. They don't. Most are doing this as part of their 2 years civil service. It's an assigned job and they are not allowed to quit.
Also, I landed in one terminal (2) but then flew out from another (3). So don't worry about that if that happens to you.
If you are in Cuba and your drone is seized, enjoy Cuba! Great place, great people. But know that you have work to do on departure. It will be annoying, but you'll get it!!
It's my first time ever posting anything on any online forum but I think when it comes to possibly losing your drone any information is helpful and I hope this post helps anyone who found themselves in the position I was in just a few days ago. (Nov 2019)
I'm on a round the world trip with girlfriend and Cuba was our first stop. At the airport in Havana they scan and check all bags coming through. My drone was seized and over the course of 2 hours or so I was brought from official to official to see what was to be done.
Long story short I left the airport but my drone was taken into a white cotton sack and secured with blue cable ties. It was put in a wooden crate behind a desk.
I was also given a document (in Spanish naturally) which said it would be kept in Retention for 30 days, after which it is available to collect (if deemed safe) for a 30 day window if you have proof you are leaving the country. All of this, it turns out, is completely made up.
Cubans I met and spoke to told me to go to the airport early on the day we leave and be mad as hell. Start showing your passport and asking for a manager. Demand your property back and state that you will speak to your embassy etc.
All that goes against my better nature and I would rather avoid an argument and a show, but we did it....and it worked!
Arrived 6 hours early. Couldn't speak to customs until 3hours or so before flight when you are checked in. The customs people are where you walk through the body scanner at the airport. That seems to be their office.
I didn't raise my voice or anything but I was stern. I showed my document and they just said to come back in an hour. I went to grab my document again and insisted that they get my property immediately. They can be very slow to do anything, so I stood there and waited until they picked up the phone and rang the "office". I was told there was no one answering so I just said to ring again. It went on like this for an hour. I hovered around and just stayed there all the time.
Umpteen times I was told the drone was lost, it was on its way, wait 5 more minutes, it's coming, it's lost...I had 30 minutes before my flight left so I started giving them the embassy talk, disgrace talk, showing my passport and saying this was theft. I even started gesturing and clapping loudly at them for them to ring again...embarrassing, I know.
Then, with 20 minutes to go...the white sack with the blue cable ties turns up. I signed some form, paid a fee (35CUC - about 35EUR) and hopped onto my plane.
*****
If going to Cuba only, leave the drone at home.
If travelling onwards, see can you send it to a hotel, hostel or friend in another country you're visiting rather than bringing it to Cuba.
If bringing it to Cuba, it will probably be seized. You will get it back, but do not lose the document you get when they take it from you, show up early on your departure date and be firm, cross and not accepting of excuses. Even if that goes against your nature.
Note,
I met with customs on departure at 4am. So it's 24hr.
Customs officials are all young and look like they don't want to be there. They don't. Most are doing this as part of their 2 years civil service. It's an assigned job and they are not allowed to quit.
Also, I landed in one terminal (2) but then flew out from another (3). So don't worry about that if that happens to you.
If you are in Cuba and your drone is seized, enjoy Cuba! Great place, great people. But know that you have work to do on departure. It will be annoying, but you'll get it!!
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