Cubans will be able to import canned meats and ultra-pasteurized liquid milk from up to 13 countries, according to regulations published this Tuesday by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The information was released on Tuesday. by the official presswhich includes a note from the Ministry of Agriculture announcing a “flexibility” in “health regulations”.
According to the note – which does not specify a date of entry into force – canned beef, pork and poultry “of recognized commercial brands” from Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
This list also applies to the importation of sausages. In the case of “UHT fluid milk, condensed, evaporated, and dairy desserts originating from any geographical area” the country of origin will not be taken into account.
The list also specifies which are the absolute prohibitions. These include all animal products with bones, fluid milk and unpasteurized dairy products, and some meats.
The same goes for canned seafood, pasteurized mature cheeses and powdered milk.
The list also specifies which are the absolute prohibitions. Among them are all products of animal origin with bones, fluid milk and unpasteurized dairy products and fresh, frozen, dehydrated or salted meats, with or without bones, as well as viscera and semi-finished or semi-cooked products.
The standard has been met with skepticism among consumers. Some of them criticize that it has taken so long to allow these products to be imported, while others maintain that they have been doing so for a long time. “Is it commercial? That would be making it more flexible,” a reader of Cubadebate.
These measures are announced shortly after a resolution was published establishing “the rules for non-commercial imports carried out by natural persons.”
You will be allowed to enter the country with up to 5 mobile phones —previously the limit was 2—, 2 electric generators, 2 electric motorcycles and the possibility of a third if you enter through cargo shipping.
The customs tax was also reduced from 100% to 30% and the import limit was doubled to go from 10 to 20 kilograms. To this is added the reduction of the tariff per imported kilo, from 20 to 10 dollars.
In his last speech to Parliament, the Minister of Economy, Alejandro Gil, clarified that these actions will only apply to “natural persons with a non-commercial character.” In other words, it cannot be done through companies or to subsequently market these products.
Motivated by the food crisis on the Island, as well as last year’s anti-government protests, the Government temporarily eliminated the tariff for food and medicine. However, these measures have not been exempt from criticism for only having an impact on islanders who have relatives abroad or who have sufficient resources to travel by plane.
Motivated by the food crisis on the Island, as well as last year’s anti-government protests, the Government temporarily eliminated the tariff for food and medicine
Until before the mobilizations of 2021, many Cubans resorted to calls muleswhich entered their luggage with products from other countries and charged compensation.
The easing came into effect days after the 11J demonstrations. The first extension of the measures was approved last December and the most recent took effect in May and will last until December 2022.
The current legislation in Cuba on the importation of luggage consists of a complex system of points and weight limits that establishes tariffs on excess items brought by travelers. In the case of medicines, up to 10 kilograms are allowed to be brought into the country.
In order to correct the dependency abroad to access food —the country must import around 80% of what it consumes— Cuba approved a food sovereignty law in May to increase agricultural production and reduce imports, although experts question whether the rule is enough to create a non-existent supply.
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for joining us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our newspaper. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
