OT - but question about customs and medical necessities

[redrosesix]

A friend of mine is going to Cuba and asked for some info that I might find here. I know it has nothing to do with WDW, but I think it is info that others who are flying to WDW could use.

He has sleep apnia (sp?) and has a machine to keep him breathing at night, so of course he has to take it with him. Will he have a problem going through Customs with this (he is doing that in Halifax, with no other stops on the way there)? Also, since he is concerned about being able to purchase distilled water to use with the machine, will he be able to take this on the plane with him?

Any information, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Northstar]

A friend of mine is going to Cuba and asked for some info that I might find here. I know it has nothing to do with WDW, but I think it is info that others who are flying to WDW could use.

He has sleep apnia (sp?) and has a machine to keep him breathing at night, so of course he has to take it with him. Will he have a problem going through Customs with this (he is doing that in Halifax, with no other stops on the way there)? Also, since he is concerned about being able to purchase distilled water to use with the machine, will he be able to take this on the plane with him?

Any information, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don't get why he'd be going through customs in Halifax... does Cuba have preclearance here?

He should be able to put distilled water into his checked luggage. I think he'd have a problem going through security with it in carryon. Check with the airline over that.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

So long as your friend has a note from his doctor stating that he needs it for medical reasons there shouldn't be a problem. Check out the tsa website for rules in taking the distilled water on board the plane. Another place you can check is with the airline he's flying with, but IMHO the tsa website is a far more reliable source for information. I think that you can take bottled water in your checked luggage, but I think the size limit is 3oz on board the plane. I'm not quite certain about this, and you may want to check on it. Hope that this helps you out. Have a great day!!

 

[crashbb]

TSA will have no bearing on what your friend can take on the plane, since he will not be traveling through the US. You needs to check the CATSA website for the rules for flying out of Canadian airports.

Also, I suspect the PP is correct and that your friend will not be pre-clearing customs in Halifax since pre-clearance in Halifax is only for US customs and immigration, not Cuban customs and immigration (or any other country for that matter).

He will be able to put the water in checked luggage as medical supplies are exempt from baggage fees/baggage counts, but I am not sure about carry-on (the rules about medical exemptions for liquids, may not cover that much water and their might be an issue with being overweight/oversized for carry-on).

I would check both the CATSA (for the liquid rule) and the airline (for the size/weight rule). The airline will not be able to tell you about getting it through security since they don't make those rules.

 

[redrosesix]

TSA will have no bearing on what your friend can take on the plane, since he will not be traveling through the US. You needs to check the CATSA website for the rules for flying out of Canadian airports.

Also, I suspect the PP is correct and that your friend will not be pre-clearing customs in Halifax since pre-clearance in Halifax is only for US customs and immigration, not Cuban customs and immigration (or any other country for that matter).

He will be able to put the water in checked luggage as medical supplies are exempt from baggage fees/baggage counts, but I am not sure about carry-on (the rules about medical exemptions for liquids, may not cover that much water and their might be an issue with being overweight/oversized for carry-on).

I would check both the CATSA (for the liquid rule) and the airline (for the size/weight rule). The airline will not be able to tell you about getting it through security since they don't make those rules.

Didn't know it was only for US destinations!

I also didn't think about the weight of the carry on. Since he has to carry the machine in his carry on, he could easily go over weight if he adds the distilled water too (he said 500 ml every 2 nights and he's going for a week)

Thanks so much everyone

 

[crashbb]

Didn't know it was only for US destinations!

I also didn't think about the weight of the carry on. Since he has to carry the machine in his carry on, he could easily go over weight if he adds the distilled water too (he said 500 ml every 2 nights and he's going for a week)

Thanks so much everyone

Actually, it isn't that TSA is for US destinations, it is that TSA is for US departures. TSA is the US Transportation Security Administration whilst CATSA is the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. So, security in US airports are under TSA control and security in Canadian airports is under CATSA control. For the most part, the rules are the same, but there are some distinctions

Found this for you:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device.
Note: The distilled water used by this device is exempted from the liquid restrictions. We recommend that passengers carry supporting documentation from their doctor to facilitate pre-board screening.

http://www.catsa.gc.ca/english/travel_voyage/list.shtml#medicalitems

Look under "Medical Items".

I don't know what airline your friend is flying, but this is what I found for Air Canada (I bolded the relevant bit - the machine needs to conform to the regular carry on size and weight, and it appears to count as your carry-on):

Passengers requiring the use of CPAP, sleep apnea and other battery powered medical devices during flight must contact Air Canada Reservations at least 48 hours prior to departure for medical approval to travel. Battery powered medical devices are accepted both as carry-on and checked baggage, under specific conditions.

Carry-on baggage restrictions:

* The device must not exceed 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9" x 15.5" x 21.5") in size and 10 kg (22 lb) in weight. If the device exceeds maximum allowable size or weight, it must be transported as checked baggage.
* It is forbidden to use the in-seat power supply to power the CPAC device during flight or to recharge batteries.
* Passengers are fully responsible for their device and batteries, and must bring sufficient batteries for the duration of the flight. Only non-spillable (gel) batteries are permitted, and extra batteries must be packaged in a manner that protects them from short circuits and physical damage.

Checked baggage restrictions:

* If the device exceeds the carry-on size and weight restrictions listed above, it must be transported as checked baggage, or a seat may be purchased for it. Passengers must contact Air Canada Reservations at least 48 hours prior to travel in order to check in their device or purchase an additional seat for it.
* Devices are subject to all applicable additional checked baggage fees.
* The device must be packed appropriately and a 'fragile' sticker will be affixed to it at check-in.
* Batteries must be removed from the device and must be packaged in a manner that protects them from short circuits and physical damage. Batteries used must be non-spillable. Wet cell (spillable) batteries are not accepted.
* Passengers must sign a limited release form at check-in, releasing Air Canada of all liability for damages to the device.

Important: Devices containing a fixed internal battery that cannot be removed and packaged separately will not be accepted as checked baggage and must be shipped via Air Canada Cargo.

 

[redrosesix]

Actually, it isn't that TSA is for US destinations, it is that TSA is for US departures. TSA is the US Transportation Security Administration whilst CATSA is the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. So, security in US airports are under TSA control and security in Canadian airports is under CATSA control. For the most part, the rules are the same, but there are some distinctions

Found this for you:


http://www.catsa.gc.ca/english/travel_voyage/list.shtml#medicalitems

Look under "Medical Items".

I don't know what airline your friend is flying, but this is what I found for Air Canada (I bolded the relevant bit - the machine needs to conform to the regular carry on size and weight, and it appears to count as your carry-on):

Thank you so much. He leaves on Monday, so we'll get right on that. He's pretty concerned about the availability of distilled water in Cuba. I would want it with me even if I was flying to WDW, because you can't assume you will land in time to get to a pharmacy.

Somehow, it seems like everybody started assuming we could clear customs in Halifax for every flight.