The General Customs Office of the Republic of Cuba is responsible for regulating the importation of all types of food into Cuba.
According to Cuban Customs law, food imports are not exempt from payment, with the exception of baby food. If you are traveling with a child, the food you import for the baby is not subject to any quantity restrictions or payment; it must only comply with animal and plant health regulations.
The rest of the food imported into Cuba is subject to payment. These foods are charged as miscellaneous items, with a Customs value of 10 pesos per kilogram. Generally, commercial status is not applied to food, so you can import as much food as you want, but you will have to pay for it, and these quantities must be within the Customs value limit of 1000 pesos allowed for your import.
In general, the importation of all canned foods that do not pose a health hazard is permitted. Generally, sausages, fresh meats, and fruits are confiscated. Beverages are also considered food.
It's important to clarify that food purchased by passengers before leaving another country for Cuba, in airport lounges, through the Duty Free service, is not tax-free in Cuba; these foods must be paid for like all other foods.
However, as previously stated, all food imported into Cuba must be paid for, as it is considered miscellaneous.
Cuba is currently experiencing a profound food shortage crisis. The supply of most food products on the island is far below demand, generating significant social unrest, uncertainty, and leading to instability, especially due to the not unfounded fears of the arrival of a new special period in times of peace, similar to those of the 90s.
Amid these unfavorable circumstances, the General Customs Office of the Republic in Cuba has not lifted the payment requirement for food imports, a measure that could contribute to, or at least alleviate, the deep food crisis the nation is experiencing.
If passengers entering Cuba could import food free of charge, provided they comply with established plant and animal health regulations, this could serve as a safety valve for thousands of families in Cuba, whose members could import necessary and scarce quantities of food on the island.
Even in the midst of a worsening situation, Customs has not considered exempting food imported into Cuba from paying for it. We should ask ourselves why, or rather, when will it be decided that food can be brought into Cuba without having to pay for it? The country desperately needs it now.
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3 comments
I strongly agree with this analysis, and it should be seen as a possible solution for the present and future of non-state sector marketing and for families who would benefit from the efforts of their relatives abroad. This would reduce speculation through greater supply and diversity.
It would really be important not to pay for food...although we already paid it to the airline...then we would have to pay it more than three times over...
It's true that, in the midst of this crisis, a measure like this is more than a step forward. Since everything is getting more expensive every day and food is being scarce in the country, I think we should take this measure as soon as possible.