Cuba Import Restrictions

by countryaah · Published June 2, 2019 · Updated November 3, 2019

In order to enter Cuba, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of Cuba government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the Cuba, and which items need special documentation before exporting to Cuba.

Import restrictions

All organisations of the State and its enterprises, embassy and diplomatic personnel in Cuba, and representatives of international agencies are authorised to receive items which correspond to their activities. All contents are subject to customs duty, except prosthetics, educational books, records and films. Cuban authorities will seize any item they cannot readily identify.

Senders should determine import restrictions from Cuba authorities before posting:

Alcoholic beverages
Coffee
Cologne and perfume
Communications equipment
Computer components and parts
Cosmetics
Cotton
Electronic equipment and games
Fabrics and samples
Films, 8mm, 16mm and 35mm
Films promotional and training
Fire extinguishers
Foodstuffs
Industrial equipment
Jewellery, costume
Leather goods
Measuring apparatus
Medical Samples
Medicines, prescription and non-prescription
Oil products
Parts, machine and electric
Personal effects
Phone/modems
Plastic made products
Radar equipment; transmitters and recievers
Radio equipment
Radios or parts there of
Samples, textile
Subs. cont’g sodium/calc. cyclamate
Shoes
Swatches
Soil samples
Sports equipment
Stone/mineral samples for analysis.
Toys
Televisions and equipment

EDN’s and export permits are required for:

Kangaroo skins
Crocodile skins
Emu oil
Fish oil
Bunker oil
Coal
Petroleum bases products
Tobacco and tobacco products
Any other alcohol including beer and spirits all volumes.

Stamps

Only the Philatelic Federation can exchange stamps.

Special documentation

All packages require an invoice endorsed by a Cuban consul attached to the customs declaration.

The sender and receiver details must be addressed with a valid street address in English. A Post Office Box address is not acceptable.

The sender is responsible for finding if the destination country may impose duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees that may be applied on the item that is being sent. Please contact the consulate office of the country you are sending to or contact the ECI customer contact centre on 1800 007 678.

Prohibitions

In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Cuba prohibits: