Should I be concerned about bringing an iPhone?

Question: I’m concerned about bringing an iPhone to Cuba, as there are no GPS devices allowed in the country. I don’t want to have it confiscated in Customs. Anybody know if I should be concerned about this?

Answer: According to the website of Cuban Customs – www.aduana.co.cu – prior authorization and a permit are required from the Oficina Nacional de Hidrografia y Geodesia (ONHG or Hydrographical and Geodesic National Office) to bring into the country a Global Positioning System (GPS) of any type. Below is the address, telephone and email where you might want to consult further:

Oficina Nacional de Hidrografia y Geodesia (ONHG)
Avenida 47 # 2829

e/ 28 y 34,
Reparto Kholy, Playa
Ciudad de La Habana CP 11300 Cuba
Telephone (537) 209 0926
FAX (537) 203 0967
E-mail: [email protected]

Earlier this year (2010), Aduana General de la República de Cuba (General Customs of the Republic of Cuba) updated their website. Known as AduaCuba and located at www.aduana.co.cu, it is available in both Spanish and English, although the English section is not as comprehensive.

If you require clarification on any regulation of Cuban Customs, or need a consultation, or lodge a complaint or claim, you can do so via three channels.

From within the country:

• Contact their Oficinas de Atención Público (Public Service Offices) at any Customs Unit
• Call Cuban Customs at (537) 883-7575 or (537) 883-8282

From outside the country:

• Send an email to [email protected]

You might also want to check out the response to the question “Can I bring my iPhone to Cuba. Will it work there?” for additional information on iPhones in Cuba.