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[mollyfox]

I want to visit Cuba next month but am hearing stories that if you transit LAX returning home to AUS you might strike trouble with US imm. Is it true? Also anything that you have brought in Cuba will be taken off you?

[semi-backpacker]

I believe this post belongs in the Caribbean forum, not South America. Yes, if you are a US citizen, you are at risk for a hefty fine and trouble if Cuban officials stamp your passport. So if you go, you'll need to make sure your passport is not stamped.

[starlagurl]

I think Molly is an Australian citizen though.

That's a good question. How long is your transfer at LAX? Do you have to go through immigration when you are transferring like that?

If it costs the same, you might want to try a different route and/or get them to stamp a paper instead of your passport, just to avoid any hassle.

P.S. I moved it to the Caribbean forum.

[semi-backpacker]

If not a US Citizen, then there should be no problem. I'm jealous! I would love to go to Cuba...can't wait for it to be legal.

[starlagurl]

I dunno, when I flew through Philadelphia to the Caribbean, I had to go through customs twice... so... it could get sticky.

I'd ask someone wherever you book your ticket or someone at LAX.

[mmbcross]

Although you should encounter no problem with having a Cuba stamp in your passport, if you feel at all apprehensive, when you arrive in Cuba, explain the situation and the Cuban immigration officer will stamp your entry and exit on a separate paper, and not in your passport. This is how US citizens enter Cuba without the authorities knowing.