The head of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), Nelson Cordovés Reyes, revealed last week at the Round Table that some individuals have used the tax exemption for the illegal sale of products in Cuba.
The measure, which allows the import without customs taxes of food, hygiene, medicines and medical supplies, comes to an end on March 31, 2024. It is not yet known if the deadline for benefits will be extended.
Although it has been well received by the population and extended several times, Cordovés Reyes acknowledged that it has been a “challenge for customs and the authorities” due to the large volume of merchandise that is reviewed.
Abuse of the exemption
The official mentioned that there has been misuse of this facility by some people, who have been importing large quantities of merchandise for commercial sale, which goes once morest the non-commercial spirit of the measure.
He also alluded to the fact that there is a problem with people bringing medications and other products in excessive quantities, possibly for illegal sale.
Among the examples of violations, he said that a traveler brought 57,000 Enalapril pills and large quantities of soft drinks and potatoes, with the intention of selling them. “They propose that it is for other people, to send it, and some have also said that it is for sale,” said the official. “It is fundamentally a warning that people should not abuse this measure.”
A call to responsibility
The head of the AGR called on people to comply with the regulations as approved, and mentioned that the measure was implemented so that Cubans might have access to medicines, food and hygiene products in difficult times.
Exorbitant prices on the black market
In some drug sales groups in Cuba, the Enalapril blister pack is priced at 250 CUP, which represents approximately 11.9% of the minimum wage in Cuba of 2,100 pesos. This is just one example of how abuse of the tax exemption can have a negative impact on the population.
However, a large majority of Cubans have expressed their desire to maintain the free importation of medicines, toiletries and food to Cuba. It is the only way they can access these products today, because the State cannot supply them.
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