Cuban authorities are warning about drug smuggling, taking advantage of the tariff-free regime for imported products.
The first deputy chief of the General Customs Office of the Republic, William Pérez González, warned this week about the entry of medicines into Cuba for commercial purposes, taking advantage of current tariff benefits.
"Cuban Customs is rigorously combating the smuggling of controlled medications that irresponsible and unscrupulous individuals are attempting to bring into the country for profit, taking advantage of the current flexibilities. Recognize the José Martí Airport Customs Office." wrote on social network X.
Last March, Customs Chief Nelson Cordovés Reyes reported on the Roundtable that some travelers had used the tax exemption to illegally sell products in Cuba.
The import of large quantities of goods for commercial sale "goes against the non-commercial spirit of the measure," the official said.
In that television program he stated that a traveler He carried 57,000 Enalapril pills in their luggage, as well as large quantities of soft drinks and chips, to resell in Cuba.
"They claim it's for other people, to send it, and some have even said it's for sale," the official said. "It's basically a warning that people shouldn't abuse this measure," he said.
Medicines for Cuba: tariff benefits
Free entry of medicines, medical supplies, food and toiletries was extended until June 30, 2024. The Cuban government's decision establishes exemption for accompanied baggage, shipments by sea, air, or mail.
First implemented in July 2021, the measure has been successively extended and will soon be in effect for three years. With each renewal, authorities have acknowledged that the economic reasons that motivated these decisions remain in place.
However, Cuban Customs has warned in recent months about the entry of large quantities of merchandise that does not comply with non-commercial import regulations. While they asserted that the resolutions would not be eliminated, they indicated that increased monitoring would be carried out.
Debate on the resale of medicines in Cuba
"If the State, which is responsible for supplying the people with the medicines we need, does not do so, then let the one who can bring it and whoever can buy it, buy it," said a reader of Directorio Cubano.
Along the same lines, another user commented: “Obviously, if the government could at least provide for basic needs (it can't), that kind of market wouldn't be necessary, even though it's abusive.”
Others mentioned the prices of some of the resold medications. "I had to buy it (Enalapril) for 300 pesos a blister pack. Only enough for 5 days because I take 2 a day," one Cuban recounted his experience.
“Right now (March), a box of 800 tablets costs about 30 pesos. It's outrageous for people with unprofitable salaries,” someone else wrote.
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Let us know what you think:
5 comments
Sir, it is a measure to help the family and I think it should not be removed but should be rejected, for example, allowing only 200 pounds free plus the normal 66, that is, allowing 266 pounds free and I think it is enough and not allowing it to be a large amount of a product. There should be a quantity upon entry, it should start from July 1st.
Well... if you suffer from high blood pressure you can go to the pharmacy and it's just for fun because there aren't any. Now, if you don't buy it on the street you'll die and be grateful that they are expensive, but they do appear.
Medicine in Cuba is totally deteriorated, there is no medication and the sick need it, the majority of people who take controlled medications do not have them and go to those who resell them, even if it is expensive, although I want to clarify something, those who bring medications from abroad to Cuba, they bought them legally, but what we need to pursue is the hoarder here in the interior of the country, the medication that goes to the pharmacy is hoarded and sold, it is they who must be muzzled, not the one who brings it from abroad.
I do not agree with the black market, but if I cannot buy Anapril in pharmacies with my card and I have to pay 300, what do you want me to die if we are not able to guarantee it?
The price of medicines in Cuba is abusive due to the black market because I have always said that if someone buys medicine it is because they are sick. I am against that, but the state does not have it and if you do not buy it, you die.