Customs Rules
Import regulations::
Passengers of 18 years of age or over are allowed
1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco;
2. 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages;
3. up to 10 kg of medicines if taken in a separate baggage.
Passengers older than 10 years of age, can import goods up to a value of US 1.000-subject to customs duty payment every time arriving to the country.
Exempt of import duty payments:
- personal items, considering those articles what a passenger may need for personal use during his/her trip;
- medicines, prosthesis and wheelchairs for the use of ill and disable persons;
- books and articles for teaching purposes.
Passengers may carry, exempt of payment of Import Duty, up to 25kg of miscellaneous articles considered as personal belongings despite of the fact that they may use them or not.
Prohibited:
1. all kinds of seeds, fresh animal or vegetable products unless prior approval has been obtained from Ministry of Agriculture;
2. narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances except those for personal use and provided holding medical prescription;
3. all kinds of hemoderivatives;
4. explosives, firearms and ammunition unless prior authorization has been obtained from the Ministry of Interior;
5. obscene and pornographic materials; printed matter directed against the public order and the morality of Cuba and its revolution;
6. household appliances (freezers with a capacity exceeding seven cubic feet, air conditioners, any type or model of electric accumulators and heating/cooking plates, electric and microwave ovens, any type or size of electric frying pans, electric water heaters and showers, electric irons and toasters).
Passengers importing to Cuba other articles in addition to their personal items must fill out a Customs Declaration providing all the information required in this document. If a passenger is carrying an amount in cash exceeding USD 5,000.00 or the equivalent amount in other currencies when entering Cuba, Customs Declaration must be presented.
Additional Information on regulations::
Passengers who temporarily import articles with a value over USD 5,000.- in articles or cash must obtain a customs value declaration upon arrival in order to re-export such items or cash when departing.
Export regulations::
Free export by tourists only:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 loose or unwrapped cigars without having to produce official purchase receipts ;
- 5 bottles of alcoholic beverages (for persons of 18 years or over. Receipts must be shown at customs);
- goods and souvenirs obtained in official stores up to the equivalent of USD 1,000.-. Any article or derivative from endangered species requires a permit from CITES.
Prohibited (unless holding required authorization):
Philatelic and numismatic collections, objects of precious metals and stones, works of art and all articles of artistic, historical or cultural value, books printed before 1940, medicines, firearms and ammunition.
Passengers can export more than 50 cigars; purchase receipt is required issued by an authorized store and with non-commercial value.
Crew members customs regulations::
Same regulations as for passengers apply.
Pets::
Cats, dogs and birds must be accompanied by a veterinarian (government) certificate of good health issued at the point of origin. Dogs must also be accompanied by a rabies inoculation certificate. All Certificates to be issued by the Cuban consul in country of origin. Any pet will be quarantined (free of charge) for a period no longer than 2 weeks.
Baggage Clearance regulations::
Baggage is cleared at the airport of the final destination within Cuba.
Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of Cuba.
Airport Embarkation Tax
Airport Service Charge: is levied on passengers leaving Cuba: USD 25.-.
Place of payment: Airport of departure.
Exempt:
1. Diplomats based and accredited in Cuba;
2. Children under 2 years;
3. Transit passengers, arriving and departing within the same day (no overnight stay allowed) and not leaving the transit area;
4. Government employees travelling on duty;
5. Crew members travelling on duty.
Currency rules
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Cuban Peso-CUP): prohibited.
Foreign currencies: unlimited, provided amounts exceeding USD 5,000.- are declared upon arrival. All traveller's cheques are accepted in freely convertible currencies, except those issued by American Express.
Currency Export regulations:
RESIDENTS:
Local currency (Cuban Peso-CUP): prohibited.
Foreign currencies: only if permit is granted from the "Banco Nacional" (National Bank).
NON-RESIDENTS:
Local currency (Cuban Peso-CUP): prohibited.
Foreign currencies: up to the amounts imported and declared upon arrival.