Satellite phone in Cuba?

[svseachange]

Anyone been to Cuba recently with a satellite phone? I read they are banned in Cuba and I am wondering whether officials enforce this ban on cruising sailboats.

[hellosailor]

Shane, I'd strongly suggest asking the Cubans and getting an answer in writing to take with you. Folks who carry banned radios into places like Cuba and China often have them confiscated, get taken to jail, and then get expelled. It is worth finding out the official policy and complying with it, rather than risk any of that.

In China, bringing in an unlicensed (Chinese license) radio transceiver is an espionage conviction. Who wants to mess with that?

[marlinespike]

Re sat phone
Have used our sat phone in Cuba for many years. At Marina Hemmingway they no longer hold the phone but wrap it in plastic and seal with tape.
On leaving the marina it is unsealed and not checked again. We have used it cruising all over Cuba , call home to get better weather reports.
Will be back in Cuba in December.
Don

[svseachange]

Thanks for the comments and advice. Sounds like the right thing to do is declare it. Anyone had experience in Santiago del Cuba?

[GordMay]

Items requiring import authorization (including satellite phones )
➥ Items requiring import authorization

➥ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/wo...cuba.html?_r=0

[Boatguy30]

I've never been searched like I was in Cuba and they took it easy on us since we looked like nice folks with a 15 month old child. They even searched us like crazy when departing Cayo Largo for Grand Cayman. We did use HAM and SSB as well as Winlink, but the sat phone is going to be a major issue.

[svseachange]

We have a four year old child. Maybe that will help with the Cuban authorities!

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by shanedennis

We have a four year old child. Maybe that will help with the Cuban authorities!

I don't know , what's the exchange rate on small children in Cuba then ......

Dave