The Minister of Transport in Cuba has announced that a Round Table will be held next week on the new policy for the sale of vehicles in Cuba to individuals and legal entities.
The head of the sector on the island, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, remembered A number of publications have been made regarding this policy update. These include a series of questions and answers regarding the marketing of vehicles in Cuba, which Cuban Directory summarizes for its readers:
What types of vehicles can be imported directly by individuals to Cuba?
- Any person residing in Cuba may import, directly as a passenger or by shipment, any of the following vehicles:
- Mopeds and electric, hybrid or combustion motorcycles (up to 250cc).
- Electric tricycle.
- Light trailer and semi-trailer with a load capacity of up to 750 kg.
It is specified that the status of “passenger” is when the person travels and boards the vehicle as part of his or her unaccompanied luggage. In the case of “shipping”, it is when the person who boards the vehicle at the origin is different from the one who receives it in Cuba.
This import is carried out through the General Customs of Cuba and the authorized freight forwarding companies (Aerovaradero, Transcargo, Palco, Correos de Cuba, Cubapack and Cubanacan Express), through which the documents for the registration of the vehicle and the license plate are obtained.
Costs of importing vehicles
The owner or recipient of the vehicle will assume the logistical costs of shipping, transportation and delivery.
- Electric mopeds and motorcycles will pay tariffs and customs service in national currency.
- Combustion-powered mopeds and motorcycles, electric tricycles, and light trailers and semi-trailers will pay customs duties and service in convertible currency.
Replacement of cars by insurance in Cuba
The minister assures that the replacement of insurance will be one of the priorities in the destination of vehicles that, being in good technical condition, finish their exploitation in the tourist industry.
The National Insurance Company (ESEN) says it will have several alternatives for replacing vehicles for its insured, which will guarantee a shorter time frame for honoring its commitments.
With the vehicles that remain available from tourist income, there will be greater availability for National Insurance commitments, as the replacement of the income means materializes.
What options will be available to people serving abroad on state missions, such as diplomats and collaborators?
These people will be able to import directly and only once per family unit, a new or second-hand car (up to a maximum of 10 years from the date of manufacture), electric, combustion or hybrid, of economic or medium type.
The requirements that beneficiaries of this measure must meet include:
- Work abroad continuously for at least three years,
- Have a favorable evaluation of your performance,
- Bear all expenses from your income, as provided.
Upon arrival in Cuba, they must pay the following import duties: 100 USD for electric cars, 200 USD for hybrid cars and 300 USD for those with combustion engines, and the corresponding customs service in convertible currency, which will have a value of 8 USD.
They will also have the possibility of changing the import duty for the purchase of a car in Cuba from one of the authorized dealers, with benefits of 50% on the payment of taxes in convertible currencies.
What are the ways to acquire a motor vehicle in Cuba, once the legal regulations come into force?
Any natural person to access a motor vehicle may:
- Purchase of a motor vehicle of any kind, belonging to another natural or legal person, except foreign diplomatic persons. The price is agreed upon by the parties, under the procedure for transfer of ownership established for each case, including the corresponding taxes.
- Purchase vehicles of any kind from authorized dealers in convertible currencies.
- Vehicles may be imported or assembled in Cuba, new or second-hand; electric, hybrid or combustion. Tariffs, customs services, sales prices and corresponding taxes will be in convertible currencies.
- Directly importing, either as a passenger or receiving it as a shipment: electric, hybrid and combustion mopeds and motorcycles; and electric tricycles and trailers/semi-trailers of up to 750 kg of cargo. This import is carried out, paying at the border, the tariffs and customs services established in national currency or convertible currencies, as the case may be.
- Buying a vehicle from SASA, depending on availability of those that are technically low in the rental of the car (in poor technical condition, but recoverable at the buyer’s expense), as a replacement in national currency, including the corresponding tax in said currency.
When do the new vehicle marketing measures come into effect?
The legal regulations supporting the decisions adopted must be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic before the end of October of this year.
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