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Cuba
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Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
Cuba's household goods import regime is governed by Decree-Law 22/2020 (Ley General de las Aduanas de la República de Cuba). The right to import household goods duty-free is strictly limited to specific categories of persons and is a one-time entitlement.
- Valid passport with Cuban permanent residency visa
- Proof of permanent residency status
- D'Viajeros customs declaration form (mandatory for all arriving passengers)
- Detailed packing list in Spanish including: package numbers, description of contents, brand/model/serial number for all electronics, and declared values
- This is a one-time entitlement
- Valid passport
- Proof of property purchase or rental through an authorized Cuban real estate agency
- D'Viajeros customs declaration form
- Detailed packing list in Spanish (same requirements as above)
- This is a one-time entitlement
- Cuban passport
- Proof of cancellation of foreign residence permit
- Must have resided abroad for 2 or more years
- D'Viajeros customs declaration form
- Detailed packing list in Spanish (same requirements as above)
- This is a one-time entitlement
- Diplomatic credentials
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs franchise documentation
- D'Viajeros customs declaration form
Specific Information
Tariff debt and duties on non-exempt goods: All tariff debt is calculated in Cuban pesos (CUP) based on the USD import value using ad-valorem rates. The exchange rate as of early 2026 is approximately 1 USD = 120 CUP. Non-exempt goods within shipments are subject to customs duty.
Essential goods allowance (February 2026 regulatory update): As of February 2026, essential goods including food, hygiene products, medicines, and medical supplies have special duty-free allowances for arriving travelers. These allowances are subject to periodic revision by the Cuban customs authority.
Packing list requirements: The packing list must be in Spanish. It must include package numbering, a detailed description of contents, brand name/model/serial number for all electronic items, and declared values for all items. Failure to provide a compliant packing list will delay or prevent customs clearance.
D'Viajeros form: All passengers arriving in Cuba must complete the D'Viajeros customs declaration form. This is mandatory regardless of whether goods are being imported.
New goods within shipments: Any new or unused items found within a household goods shipment that are not covered by the duty-free entitlement will be subject to customs duty.
Duties & Taxes
Duty-free conditions: Household goods may be imported duty-free only by the categories of persons listed above, and only once per person per category. "Household goods" is defined under Cuban customs law as domestic articles, furniture, and equipment for domestic use. The definition explicitly excludes: pumps, motors, food products, construction materials, spare parts, motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and controlled drugs — strictly prohibited; severe criminal penalties
- Firearms, weapons, explosives, and ammunition — prohibited without specific government authorization `PERMIT REQUIRED`
- Pornographic material — prohibited
- Seeds and fresh animal or vegetable products — prohibited without Ministry of Agriculture approval `PERMIT REQUIRED`
- Items considered contrary to the interests of the Cuban state — broad prohibition enforced at customs discretion
- Counterfeit currency and goods — prohibited
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Traveler Allowances
Personal effects: 25 kg of personal effects are admitted free of duty.
Beyond the 25 kg allowance: Additional goods up to CUP 1,000 in value or 100 kg (whichever is reached first) are subject to duty at ad-valorem rates.
Tobacco (18+): 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
Alcohol (18+): 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages.
Currency: Foreign currency up to USD 5,000 may be imported without declaration. Amounts exceeding USD 5,000 must be declared. Cuban pesos (CUP) up to CUP 2,000 may be imported.
Restricted Items
- Satellite dishes and satellite receivers — restricted; subject to confiscation
- Radio communication equipment and GPS devices — restricted; may require authorization
- Food products — only industrially elaborated and hermetically sealed food products are permitted; fresh food, homemade food, and non-sealed items are prohibited
- Medicines — reasonable quantities for personal use permitted; commercial quantities restricted
- Electronic equipment in large quantities — may be assessed as commercial imports and subject to higher duties
U.S. Sanctions Considerations
Cuba is subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Key implications for movers and customers:
- Cuba is a Column 2 country under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), meaning higher duty rates apply to any Cuban-origin goods entering the U.S.
- U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, persons in the U.S.) are subject to OFAC regulations regarding transactions with Cuba, including shipping and moving services
- U.S. credit and debit cards do not function in Cuba
- Commercial imports from Cuba to the U.S. are broadly restricted, with limited exceptions for goods from independent Cuban entrepreneurs
- Movers handling relocations involving U.S. persons and Cuba should consult OFAC guidance: OFAC Cuba Sanctions — verified 200
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Specific Information
Motor vehicles cannot be imported as part of a household goods shipment. They are explicitly excluded from the definition of "household goods" under Decree-Law 22/2020.
Private vehicle imports are effectively prohibited for most individuals. Cuba maintains strict controls on motor vehicle imports. The importation of motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft is excluded from the household goods duty-free entitlement. Vehicle imports are generally limited to state enterprises, diplomats, and specific government-authorized entities.
Customers planning to relocate to Cuba should not plan to ship a personal vehicle. Confirm any exceptions with the destination agent and Cuban customs authorities well in advance.
Pets
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate
- Veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin
- Pet must be clinically inspected by a veterinarian before shipment
Per Authentic Cuba Travel, no prior authorization from Cuban authorities is required for pet imports. However, given the difficulty of verifying Cuban government sources (aduana.gob.cu was unreachable during research), it is strongly recommended to confirm current requirements with the destination agent before shipping.
CDC high-risk rabies country: Cuba is on the U.S. CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. This is relevant for pets traveling from Cuba to the United States, as CDC dog import requirements for high-risk countries are significantly more stringent. Source: CDC High-Risk Countries List — verified 200.
Rabies vaccination: Required. Ensure the vaccination is current and documented on an official certificate.
Health certificate: Must confirm the pet is clinically healthy and free of infectious disease. Should be issued as close to the travel date as practical.
Quarantine: No mandatory quarantine period was identified in available sources for pets entering Cuba, provided documentation is in order. However, Cuban customs officials may inspect animals on arrival and can refuse entry if documentation is incomplete or the animal appears unwell.
Common mistakes: Failing to have documentation in Spanish or accompanied by a Spanish translation. Assuming US-standard veterinary certificates will be accepted without question. Not confirming current requirements directly with a Cuban destination agent given the difficulty of accessing Cuban government information online.
Consignment Instructions
Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import. This is especially important for Cuba given the limited availability of official government information online and the unique regulatory environment.
Packing list in Spanish: This is a hard requirement. The packing list must include package numbers, content descriptions, brand/model/serial numbers for electronics, and declared values. An English-only packing list will not be accepted.
Timing: Household goods should arrive with or after the importer. Shipments arriving before the importer's documented residency or entry may face delays or denial of duty-free treatment.
Inventory and inspection: Cuban customs authorities may conduct thorough physical inspections of shipments. All items should match the declared packing list exactly. Undeclared items will be subject to duty and may be confiscated.
Currency for duties and expenses: All customs duties are assessed in Cuban pesos (CUP). Given that U.S. credit/debit cards do not work in Cuba and foreign currency access is limited, customers should plan for cash payment of any duties or fees. Euros and Canadian dollars are more readily exchangeable than U.S. dollars in Cuba.
Port of entry: Most household goods shipments enter through the port of Havana. Confirm port and warehouse logistics with the destination agent, as port handling times and procedures can be unpredictable.
Unpredictable expenses: Warehouse storage fees, handling charges, and inspection delays are common. Budget for additional costs beyond the stated duty rates.
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook — Cuba (replaces CIA World Factbook) — verified 200
- Wikipedia — Cuba — verified 403 to bots, works in browser
- Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs — resolves and TLS-connects normally; returns 503 to this proxy, works in browser
- Cuban Customs Authority (Aduana General de la República) — completes TLS handshake but server does not respond (15+ second timeout); improvement from May 2026 (full DNS/connection failure) but still effectively unusable for verification purposes
- OFAC Cuba Sanctions Information — verified 200
- VisaHQ Cuba Customs — verified 200
Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP). The convertible peso (CUC) was eliminated in the 2021 monetary unification. Exchange rate approximately 1 USD = 120 CUP (early 2026). U.S. dollars can be difficult to exchange; euros and Canadian dollars are preferred.
Language: Spanish is the official language. All customs documentation must be in Spanish.
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