Havana - Post Report Question and Answers
How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
I am with the US Embassy and use diplomatic pouch. - Jul 2023
Non-existent. We help each other take mail and packages back to the US when we go on R&R. - Oct 2017
In a major morale hit, we went from being able to receive at least very small packages to now only being able to receive flat mail. Too bad for kids having birthdays or people needing more meds for their pets or just a tiny part. The embassy promotes a sea shipper, but it takes 4 months and is terribly expensive. Mostly, we wait until we until our next trip to the U.S. and bring stuff back in our suitcases. Some embassy workers have jobs that bring them to the States often for work, but others have to just wait until their next R & R leave or pay for a shopping trip. - Jan 2016
U.S. Interests section employees are dependent on their colleagues to hand-carry mail out of Cuba that they want delivered within the U.S. Small items (non-liquid, no electronics) can be sent by pouch, but not everything arrives. There is no APO/DPO. Most people return from the U.S. with large bags filled with supplies. - May 2014
Mail is received via pouch- subject to arbitrary rejections and delays. Sometimes one month sometimes 12 months delayed. Sending is done by informal pony express, officers handcarry mail and small packages as they fly out. - Aug 2013
Virtually impossible. - Jul 2011
