On March 31, 2024, the measure that allows the import without customs taxes of food, hygiene, medicines and medical supplies to Cuba comes to an end.
Uncertainty regarding a possible extension hangs over Cubans, while authorities increasingly denounce the improper use of this facility by some travelers.
Nelson Cordovés Reyes, head of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), revealed in the Round Table that some individuals have used the tax exemption for the illegal sale of products in Cuba.
“The entry of medicines, food and hygiene was made more flexible, exempt from tariffs, both in accompanied and unaccompanied luggage (up to 50 kg or 500 pesos), including a group of medical supplies,” explained Cordovés.
“Subsequently, the shipment limit was raised from 200 to 500 pesos, with 200 pesos exempt from tariffs for the aforementioned products. This measure, very well received by the population, has been extended,” he added. However, the official warned that “there are people who are making inappropriate use of this facility.”
“It is a call to people to comply with the regulations, so as not to commit violations. “This measure was approved in complex situations in the country, so that people might have access to medicines, food, hygiene, but not so that it was used as a way to import these products in significant volumes, for marketing,” sentenced.
Risk of ending tax-free imports: Will there be measures to prevent misuse?
The official gave some examples: “people with thousands of blister packs, 57 thousand Enalapril pills for the same person, dozens of products such as soft drinks or hundreds of packages of potatoes.”
In December 2023, the Minister of Finance and Prices of Cuba, Vladimir Regueiro Ale, also mentioned this problem.
“It has been observed that some people have used this measure to supply merchandise for their own businesses, which sometimes are not in legal conditions, nor do they have the corresponding authorizations,” said.
However, he announced that, instead of restricting the measure, the authorities would opt for greater control and monitoring of cases of misuse.
At the moment, Cubans are waiting for a decision on the possible extension of the import without customs taxes of food, hygiene, medicines and medical supplies to Cuba. Cordovés Reyes pointed out on March 20 that “the Ministry of Finance and Prices will carry out the corresponding analyzes at the appropriate time.”
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