Americans entering Cuba from Canada and then going through US Customs?

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beasamel
beasamel

Hello, just spent an amazing week in Cuba. I'm coming back from Montreal to New York via the Amtrak train (tomorrow!) and wanted to know how to get past US customs (the customs procedure takes place literally on the train). Do I lie on the customs document and say I haven't been anywhere else? If so, what if they see and question my Canadian entry stamp from Cuba? I would then be lying to a border guard on my customs document. Or do I just come clean on the form and say I've been to Cuba? What would be the easiest and most painless way for me to get past customs. I know the reality of me actually getting in trouble for going to Cuba is slim but what would be the best way for me to get past customs without lying?

Leaving in less than eight hours-hope someone answers this on time!

-B

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johnabbotsford
johnabbotsford

I know the reality of me actually getting in trouble for going to Cuba is slim but what would be the best way for me to get past customs without lying?

Given that not a single USer has been even minimally fined in the past EIGHT years for illegal travel to Cuba perhaps you should be both honest and relaxed.

The shortest flight takes half a day door to door
Cuban resorts are God's Waiting Rooms
Any trip of less than a month is not worth getting out of bed for
Anybody relying on a single source of funds whilst travelling is an idiot
*Millions of Americans have visited Cuba already, but everyone arriving this week is under the illusion that he or she is the first one to discover Cuba and the last one to see it before it is no longer an independent country*
Don Tomas
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beasamel
beasamel
In response to #1

So just declare Cuba on the customs sheet? Go through with the stern warning at best?

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johnabbotsford
johnabbotsford

I'm tempted to suggest that you should have thought about this prior to your trip but will restrain myself LOL......
The middle course of action is to only list Canada and if asked further to say you forgot/made a mistake by not listing Cuba. The very very high probability is that you won't be asked irrespective of the stamps which may or may not include a Cuban one. The even higher probability is that none of this matters unless you lie in response to direct questions and then even then.....
BTW I don't really get why someone travels to Cuba knowing it is technically illegal and then doesn't have the guts to be up front about that.

The shortest flight takes half a day door to door
Cuban resorts are God's Waiting Rooms
Any trip of less than a month is not worth getting out of bed for
Anybody relying on a single source of funds whilst travelling is an idiot
*Millions of Americans have visited Cuba already, but everyone arriving this week is under the illusion that he or she is the first one to discover Cuba and the last one to see it before it is no longer an independent country*
Don Tomas
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beasamel
beasamel
In response to #3

Yeah, but it seems its the regular course of action to just not declare it on the customs sheet (albeit thats what people do via Mexico, not sure about Canada which is why I'm asking)

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balkanexpress
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mattlv
mattlv

Lying t customs officers is a felony. Don't do it. Write down Cuba, tell them you went there as a tourist. They may yell at you and tell you that you have been naughty, but they are not going to arrest you, and as a US citizen you can't be denied entry.

Please let us know how it goes.

Edited by mattlv
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dmacarthur
dmacarthur

Ouch balkan, the reference to sending US travelers back to guantanamo is particularly ironic....

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hfxjohn
hfxjohn

"No wonder we start hating the USA .."
I reckon you must be using the 'royal we'.

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bobmichaels
bobmichaels

Balkanexpress: When I return to Miami on a flight coming direct from Havana or Holguin, US Immigration says to me:

"WELCOME HOME!"

Independently verify anything important that a stranger tells you on the internet, even this advice.
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