Cuba

With a GoPro Hero 12 and its dive housing, a spare battery, and a floating pole (total value around €600), you comfortably fall into Cuba's “efectos personales” (personal effects) category. Upon arrival in Havana or Varadero, keep the equipment in your carry-on luggage and proceed through the normal channels – no declaration is required for an action cam clearly for personal use. Nevertheless, keep your purchase receipt (paper or photo on your phone) in case an AGRC agent questions you. Main risk: almost nil; a single compact camera perfectly fits the tourist allowance provided by Decreto-Ley No. 22. Just avoid bringing multiple GoPros or unopened new boxes, which could suggest commercial import and trigger the 100% duty on the excess value.

You're traveling with a Sony a6700, an Ikelite housing, two strobes, and a macro lens (total value around €3,500). This setup exceeds the informal comfort zone of Cuban customs officers (USD 1,000–5,000 attracts attention). Before departure, prepare a detailed list in Spanish: each item, serial number, insurance value. Upon arrival, spontaneously declare the equipment at the AGRC counter and explain that it is recreational underwater photography equipment (“fotografía subacuática recreativa”) that you will re-export. Ask an agent to annotate your list or issue a temporary entry receipt to facilitate departure. Risk: an agent may, at their discretion, classify the second camera body or the strobes as non-personal effects and demand 100% duty. A single camera body, a single housing, and a visibly used appearance significantly reduce this risk.

With a Canon R5, Nauticam housing, two Retra strobes, aluminum arms, a fisheye dome, and macro lenses (value around €15,000), you are in a high-risk zone in Cuba. The ATA Carnet does not exist here; there is no international documentary protection. Prepare a bilingual Spanish/English inventory with serial numbers, values, and photos, plus your dive certification and dive cruise reservations (Jardines de la Reina, for example) to prove recreational use. Declare everything upon arrival and request a temporary admission regime with a commitment to re-export; a deposit may be required. If the agent deems the equipment “professional,” prior ICAIC authorization would have been necessary – without it, there's a risk of a 100% duty (i.e., €15,000) or retention of the equipment until departure. Seriously consider lightening your setup for this trip.

Does the ATA Carnet work in Cuba for my underwater photo equipment?

No. Cuba is not a member of the ATA Carnet system, and no such document is recognized there. You are entirely dependent on the Cuban concept of “personal effects” and the discretion of AGRC agents. The only protection is a detailed inventory (serial numbers, values, in Spanish) declared upon arrival, ideally stamped by customs to prove re-export upon departure.

Are my two strobes and Nauticam housing at risk of being taxed at 100%?

It's possible. The Cuban allowance generally covers 1 camera and 1 video camera with accessories, but agents have full discretion to classify expensive or professional-looking equipment as non-personal effects. The general rate is then 100% of the declared value. Spontaneously declaring, demonstrating recreational use (dive certificate, reservations), and presenting visibly used equipment significantly reduces this risk.

Do I need to obtain ICAIC authorization to film underwater in Cuba?

Only if your activity is professional or commercial (filming, production, journalism). Recreational underwater photography and video do not require ICAIC or MINREX authorization. Be careful, however: very high-end equipment can make an agent doubt your tourist status. Bring proof of your recreational dive trip and avoid any equipment suggesting a production (external monitors, cinema lighting, drones).