Getting through customs in Central America.

[Allan]

Hi all,
My wife and I are going to travel through Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica in December and we're really looking forward to the trip.
I'm taking my Nikon D70, two lenses plus a Pal NVGS400 videocamera.
Does anyone have any travel advice as far as the cameras are concerned.
Our paperwork has just arrived from the Sth. Am. Tourist Auth.

It says in part..."in Cuba, please be aware that video cameras laptops etc. MAY be confiscated by customs officials on arrival. Please keep the receipt, as you will be able to claim back when you leave"

What does 'claim back' mean?, do they refund their estimate of the value in Pesos! and the cameras disappear forever?

I'll try and get an explanation before we go, but I don't want to part with my cameras, that's one of the reasons we're going there. I might just shout 'PIGS A***' then try and vanish in the confusion. (joking)

I'm also aware that the arrival time at customs has a big thing to do with it. Early in the morning, they're all asleep and couldn't be bothered with stuff like that, but we lob into Havana at 1530h right after their siesta, they'll be up and awake.

I always hand carry all my camera gear on the planes, for security.

Has anyone had any experiences in that part of the world....good or bad, funny or sad?

Cheers.
Allan

[birddog114]

It says in part..."in Cuba, please be aware that video cameras laptops etc. MAY be confiscated by customs officials on arrival. Please keep the receipt, as you will be able to claim back when you leave"

What does 'claim back' mean?, do they refund their estimate of the value in Pesos! and the cameras disappear forever?

It means: they will keep your camera or laptop at the point of arrival and you will get it back once you leave Cuba.
This is the same policy with mostly Communist Countries as Viet Nam.
Travelling thru VN, you always expect something strange, they have the same policy on unprocessing film/ CD/ DVD/ Video tapes for all travellers in or out the country. They hold them for screening, but most of the time people got thru with bribery.
Allan, are you going to Cuba coz their famous cigars

[bago100]

Allan

Birddog is correct. Not only communist countries either. Quite a few years ago, I can remember a colleague had a very expensive camera held by customs in Thailand while she visited the country. They wanted import duty and she didn't want to pay, as she was leaving in a few days, so she asked for customs detention and a receipt.

Also may I gently advise you to never ever make jokes or remarks with customs and immigration people anywhere in the world. Cultural and language differences may well result in your joke or remark being misinterpreted. Customs and Immigration people usually have very strong powers of search and detention.

Best to be informed before travelling, and on arrival and departure be polite friendly and professional - that's what I try to do.
I'd love to go to Cuba. Lucky Allen! Enjoy your trip

Cheers

Graham

[Killakoala]

The department of foriegn affairs and travel has a website that is helpful for travellers.

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Cuba

I found this website advertised on the back of a dunny door at an airport somewhere.

I hope you have a fantastic trip over there.

[Allan]

Thanks for the replies guys,
Birddog, yes I'll be up for some bribery, not too much tho, and from previous experience, I'll have to be mighty careful. No I gave up smoking cigars 30yrs ago, but the temptation is there right enough.

bago, no I won't joke about it, everyone takes security seriously now, me included. But I wanna keep my cameras! WAAAAA!!

Killakoala, thanks for that site. I'll register with the embassy and have noted the Canadian address in Havana.
We're going because we had such a fantastic time in Sth. America. My D70 has got me to the point where I think I can get some great shots in those countries and we're both very excited about going.
Enjoying your site and I hope to post some experiences in JAN 2005.
Happy Xmas to all.
Regards Al.

[birddog114]

Allan,
I have another advise to you:
South America and Cuba is very humidity, please bring along with you some bag of silica gels and leave them inside your camera bag.
I still like Cuba cigar as I had 33 years ago once I was in Undergraduated Pilot flight training at the Naval Base in Penascola, Florida, eventhough I quit smoke long time ago.
Enjoy your trip have a very happy and safe Xmas and don't drink too much Cuba rum

[bago100]

Allan,
South America and Cuba is very humidity, please bring along with you some bag of silica gels and leave them inside your camera bag.
I:D

How much silica gel should one put into a camera bag to do the job do you think? Would one small packet be enough?

Also does anyone know where you can buy silica gel for a reasonable price?

Cheers
Graham

[birddog114]

Bagoo,

One or two small bag will do the job, often take them out and put in the microwave and dry them that way or under the sun after the very humid or wet days.

I sell them but it's very expensive, how's about two bags about 200g for a Cooper Ale

Forgive me, my joke and always love to have, I'll send up to you next shipment (filters) with coupa bags and you drink for me two Coopers, is it OK?

[bago100]

Bagoo,

One or two small bag will do the job, often take them out and put in the microwave and dry them that way or under the sun after the very humid or wet days.

I sell them but it's very expensive, how's about two bags about 200g for a Cooper Ale

Forgive me, my joke and always love to have, I'll send up to you next shipment (filters) with coupa bags and you drink for me two Coopers, is it OK?

Excellent - thank you very much Birdy. I'm going to add $11.99 to the cost of filters so you can go out and buy yourself a well deserved 6 Coopers Sparkling ales for yourself! Now Birdy, read carefully:

Coopers Sparkling ales undergo secondary fermenting in the bottle. If you look at the bottom of a bottle, you'll see fermenting sediment. In order to get a superb taste,

before opening, you roll the bottle gently backwards and forwards to spread the sediment in the beer.

Then you open and enjoy!

No preservatives, no additives of any kind therefore no hangover after a couple of ales. But if you add wine or other beers, may panadol help you the following morning!

One bottle is always nice. Two bottles and I get a bit lightheaded, three and it is going to be a huge night! Honestly, one or two ales is more than enough. At over 5% alcohol, it would want to be.

Cheers and thank you again

Graham

[MHD]

before opening, you roll the bottle gently backwards and forwards to spread the sediment in the beer.

It can not be stressed enough how important this is!!!!

[bago100]

MHD

Exactly right.

I went through teachers college with a very unique, and interesting fellow named Phillip Cooper - A member of the Cooper dynasty and a real knockabout down to earth lad indeed.

He used to get weekly truckloads (a slight exaggeration, I know ) of Coopers delivered to his front door in Brisbane. Mind you, he never taught me to roll the beer! A nice fellow down at the local bottle shop taught me that!

However, I do have a Coopers lager can commemorating the 1985 Adelaide Grand Prix. In those days, Coopers sponsored the event.

Have not seen Phil for many years now, but Phil, if you are out there somewhere mate, I'd love to share a beer and a decent chin wag and reminisce a bit.

Cheers

Graham