š In this blog post weāll share all drone law links & known regulation around recreational & commercial drone use in Cuba (Havana). Give a š at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Cuba
Cuba does not differentiate commercial & recreational drone use - see our post to differentiate recreational vs commercial drone usage. Both uses strictly forbidden, however for commercial purposes, you may ask for a permission by seeking the help of a local established company.
šØ For the moment, the use of drones is under the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Institute of Cuba (IACC), they can be contacted via:
Online: webmaster@iacc.gov.cu
Phone: (+537) 834 49 49
Mail: Calle 23 # 64, Vedado, Plaza de la RevoluciĆ³n, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.
Can I travel to Cuba with my drone?
šØ The Cuban airports are infamous for their bag checks and it seems hard to go through without being asked to open them. Even if you're able to snuggle it in, be aware that upon return there is a very little chance that your drone passes again the on boarding x-rays. In both scenarios your drone gets found:
upon arrival, it will be confiscated and stored in your arrival airport, if you want to retrieve it you can do such by departing from the same airport & paying a storage fee
upon departure (from Cuba), it will be ceased & you might face heavier sanctions as you imported illegally a drone in the county.
ā You can rent a drone locally, for further information please check here.
šØ Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
How to retrieve my drone at Cuban airport customs?
First things first, you should declare it upon arrival to avoid your arrest, your drone ceased and/or a fine if found upon your departure time.
You will need to return from the same airport as they've essentially stored your drone upon your return.
Once your holiday over & you return to the same airport. Make sure to come several hours ahead, some online feedback mention 5 hours time needed to get it back!
You will get escorted to the storage room & will be asked to pay about a storage fee. Upon payment, you will get your drone back & sometimes a receipt (keep it!) until you take off.
Where can I fly my drone in Cuba?
šØ Do not fly your drone if you do not have a permit.
What do I risk for flying a drone illegally in Cuba?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. With this in mind, you risk one or a combination of:
a fine
jail
your drone cease
Here's a video of what can happen if you try:
ā The excellent news is that if you got an exception, you can start flying above Cuba's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
ā Please leave a comment the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Cuba!
Disclaimer: Although greatĀ care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authoritiesĀ for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
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