Traveling to Havana with Global Entry
Apr 16, 2017, 8:19 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BWI/DCA/IAD
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 96
Flew in and out of JFK last month; no issues at all with GE even while carrying two red duty-free bags (full of Havana Club) with "CUBA" printed on the side.
Apr 17, 2017, 2:31 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Programs: DL,EK
Posts: 1,652
I flew my own plane to Cuba and there was no GE at the GA customs building in Key West. It took about 5 minutes filling out the blue customs card. No questions and it was super easy. Best US customs experience in a long time.
Apr 18, 2017, 12:46 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,233
Thanks for the post.
Apr 18, 2017, 9:00 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Programs: DL,EK
Posts: 1,652
US regulations make it very difficult to park the airplane in Cuba for more than 7 days and since they count pieces of each day, we wanted to leave after 5 days in case we had any mechanical problem that prevented us from leaving immediately.
It was completely amazing. This was about a year ago. Parked on the ramp in Havana:
Upon leaving, the paperwork took maybe 2 hours and they searched our plane for stowaways (kinda funny since it is the size of a small car with no place to hide). Arriving at Key West, we taxied to customs and they just didn't care at all that we'd been in Cuba. All the rum and cigars stayed on the plane (we were under the legal limit) - they were not worried about it at all. I asked about GE and was told they don't have it at the GA customs but we were stamped out almost immediately. Very, very simple.
Last edited by DesertNomad; Apr 18, 2017 at 11:47 am
May 6, 2017, 2:45 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,233
We flew from Reno to Key West (with several stops of course) in a Piper Dakota. After one night in Key West we flew to Cienfuegos (no fuel) where we were the only airplane at the entire airport. We stayed two days and then flew to Havana for two more days. Flying around there is a bit difficult since only Havana and Varadero have fuel for piston planes and they are 50 miles apart. Going to other cities requires careful fuel planning. Lots of people have to land in Haiti for fuel if they want to visit the east side of Cuba.
US regulations make it very difficult to park the airplane in Cuba for more than 7 days and since they count pieces of each day, we wanted to leave after 5 days in case we had any mechanical problem that prevented us from leaving immediately.
It was completely amazing. This was about a year ago. Parked on the ramp in Havana:
Upon leaving, the paperwork took maybe 2 hours and they searched our plane for stowaways (kinda funny since it is the size of a small car with no place to hide). Arriving at Key West, we taxied to customs and they just didn't care at all that we'd been in Cuba. All the rum and cigars stayed on the plane (we were under the legal limit) - they were not worried about it at all. I asked about GE and was told they don't have it at the GA customs but we were stamped out almost immediately. Very, very simple.
US regulations make it very difficult to park the airplane in Cuba for more than 7 days and since they count pieces of each day, we wanted to leave after 5 days in case we had any mechanical problem that prevented us from leaving immediately.
It was completely amazing. This was about a year ago. Parked on the ramp in Havana:
Upon leaving, the paperwork took maybe 2 hours and they searched our plane for stowaways (kinda funny since it is the size of a small car with no place to hide). Arriving at Key West, we taxied to customs and they just didn't care at all that we'd been in Cuba. All the rum and cigars stayed on the plane (we were under the legal limit) - they were not worried about it at all. I asked about GE and was told they don't have it at the GA customs but we were stamped out almost immediately. Very, very simple.
If you make it to southern NV send a pm and I would enjoy hearing the stories of the trip...
May 18, 2017, 8:00 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 347
I realize this thread is a little dated by now, but just do add one more data point.
Came back from HAV an AS, nonstop into LAX a few weekends ago. I, and the friends I was with, all have GE.
We went to GE just like normal, with no delays or special handling, and were done with the immigration hall in a few minutes - barely had to break stride.
Came back from HAV an AS, nonstop into LAX a few weekends ago. I, and the friends I was with, all have GE.
We went to GE just like normal, with no delays or special handling, and were done with the immigration hall in a few minutes - barely had to break stride.
Jun 2, 2017, 9:52 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, Carlson/HHonors GLD, National Ex, Hertz Gld, AMEX Plat
Posts: 344
I'll also add my recent data point- just came back a few days ago from HAV into MIA. Absolutely no issues (and no lines) was through all the checks in a matter of minutes. No checked bags though.
May 30, 2019, 12:34 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
I travel to Cuba a half dozen times a year and have never had a GE problem. And I return with 50-75 cigars and again, no problem.
Jun 7, 2019, 11:18 am
#26
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
), Egypt, Jordan, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine. The interview lasted less than five minutes.But I’d not think about traveling to Cuba “under the radar” with the most recent rules.
Jun 7, 2019, 6:30 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,075
Do you mean go through Toronto or Mexico City? I don’t see why anyone would do that these days, given the availability of US flights and the “honor system” in which you self-certify your general license in one of the 12 categories.