The first time the tariff exemption was carried out occurred in 2021, just days after the historic protests of July 11 and 12.
LIMA, Peru – The Ministry of Finance and Prices (MFP) in Cuba announced the extension of the tariff benefit for non-commercial imports of food, hygiene, medicines and medical supplies.
The provision was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, Extraordinary Edition No. 17 of January 17, 2025, through the resolutions 9 and 10 of the aforementioned organization.
“The tariff benefits granted through this Resolution will be in force as long as the conditions that have determined its approval persist.” establishes in its fifth resolution Resolution No.9 of the Ministry of Finance and Prices.
Along with this provision, Resolution No.10 of the Ministry of Finance and Prices, Resolution No.4 of the Ministry of Public Health and Resolution No.34 of the General Customs of the Republic were also published.
In the midst of the great shortage and the existing energy crisis on the Island, the regime had published resolutions 286 and 287 of September 17, 2025, extending the term of tariff benefits until January 31, 2026. The new regulations extend the validity of the benefits for other months, with an effective date as of February 1, 2026.
The measure is complemented by the resolutions of the ministry of Public Healthreferring to exceptionally authorizing, on a non-commercial basis, exempt from payment of customs tax and on a temporary basis, the importation of original containers of medicines and medical supplies.
Likewise, for the application of the benefits, it is confirmed that items classified as food or hygiene, medications and medical supplies, which are imported as part of the passenger’s luggage, as well as shipments, must be presented before Customs in separate packages from the rest of the products.
The first time that the Castro dictatorship exempted tariffs occurred in 2021, just days after the historic protests of July 11 and 12. In 2023, Cuban authorities added other medical supplies to the standard, as well as power plants.
