The Cuban government extended until June 30, 2023 the tariff benefits temporarily approved in Resolution 309 of July 15, 2021, related to the exemption from payment of taxes for the non-commercial import of food, cleaning products and medicines that enter as accompanied baggage.
The text of the new Resolution, published in the official Gazette No. 83establishes:
“In relation to the temporary tariff benefits provided by resolutions 318 and 321 of July 2021 of the MFP, which expire on December 31, on the exemption from the payment of tariffs for imports of food and personal hygiene products and from the home, by state entities and international economic associations; as well as inputs and raw materials destined for non-state forms of management for the exercise of their activities, the aforementioned Resolution 298 of 2022 grants an extension of these benefits to imports made in 2023, provided that the goods have been shipped at origin until December 31 of this year”.
The measure was expected among Cubans inside and outside the island, as it is a palliative in the face of shortages and shortages that today mark the Cuban market, plunged into a deep supply crisis.
The organization Puentes de Amor, led by Cuban-American professor Carlos Lazo, made public in mid-November a petition sent to the Cuban Foreign Ministry around this topic.
“Since the implementation of this regulation, Cubans and non-Cubans who visit or return to Cuba have been able to enter larger volumes of food, medicine and toiletries on the island,” the letter stated.
It is the second time that the term of this exemption for this type of imports has been extended, which has meant notable relief and help to families in Cuba, given the current situation of shortages.
The Cuban authorities once again choose to provide a new term for these facilities for the importation of essential products.
It is probable that within 6 months, given the forecasts, the causes that led to its adoption will still persist.
“Extending the aforementioned regulation will be of benefit to the Cuban family inside and outside the Island. The extension of this measure, in addition, would contribute to strengthening the ties between the nation and Cubans residing abroad and would allow that in times of pandemic and blockade continue to build bridges of love between the Nation and its emigrants”, concluded the communication of Bridges of Love.
