Cuban Customs Warns Tourists and Nationals on Gifts and Packages

HAVANA TIMES — The Cuban Customs office issued a statement today (in Spanish) warning travelers to the island of a crackdown on the carrying of packages for third parties. The measure especially affects Cuban-Americans who routinely carry parcels from friends and neighbors when traveling to the island.

Customs informs that passengers are not authorized to carry with them any entrusted parcels for other persons or legal entities. Violating the regulation can lead to fines or criminal charges, notes the authorities.

The office warns that “parcels can be used to transport and conceal substances and materials used in terrorism, drug-trafficking and the contraband of merchandise that could endanger security, human health, and the environment.”

It further states that the full responsibility for the contents of the packages rests on the passenger.

For more information the Cuban Customs invites you to visit their website (http://www.aduana.co.cu) or phone 883-8282 and 881-9732 (both in Havana) 287827 (in the city of Matanzas) 513965 Ext. 119 (in the city of Cienfuegos) 225041 (in the city of Villa Clara) 223613 Ext. 120 (in the city of Ciego de Ávila) 211809; 211303; 211504 Ext. 113, or 211449 (in the city of Camagüey) 481801; 468594 Ext. 110 (in the city of Holguín) 652892; 628991 Ext. 124 (in the city of Santiago de Cuba).