Everything you need to know to export from Cuba

Resolution No. 23 of 2003 issued by the Head of the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba, puts into effect the General Rules for Non-Commercial Exports.

The essential basis of this regulation is that, just as it is stipulated for imports, exports from Cuba must be carried out without a commercial purpose.

In simple words, no passenger is allowed to take large quantities of the same merchandise out of the Island, just as they are not permitted to bring large quantities of the same merchandise into Cuba.

Some particularities of this 2003 regulation, which is still in force, are of essential interest to passengers departing from Cuba. These are:

According to Article 2 of the legislation, if the passenger needs or wishes to take abroad the remains of a relative or close person, it is provided that: For the shipment abroad of corpses, bones, or cremated remains, no declaration is required. Only the verification of the coffin or urn, if applicable, and the corresponding check of necrological and transportation documentation will be carried out.

Article 5 stipulates that the Customs of Cuba may require the passenger to prove the lawful acquisition, in legally authorized quantities, for the purpose of export. This applies specifically if the passenger does not have the receipt or purchase invoice for a merchandise that can be determined not to have been acquired lawfully. For example: car plates; dishware, ashtrays, or other items belonging to hotels or restaurants. In such cases, the merchandise will be confiscated.

Article 11, for its part, states that the export of live animals, preserved or taxidermied, and plant-based products requires the corresponding Permit from the veterinary or phytosanitary authority, as appropriate, of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The article itself states that jewelry and goldsmith work made with precious stones and metals for export require the presentation of sales documents issued by legally authorized entities.

Hospital-use medications and those whose use is controlled by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba require, for export, to be covered by a medical certificate from the respective hospital center or, alternatively, require the document or permit from the pharmaceutical entity that produces it, which certifies the export authorization. This document must specify the type of medication and the quantity in question.

Any object considered a cultural asset of the nation, declared part of the cultural heritage, or of museum or patrimonial value in the broad sense of the word, requires an Export Certificate or Permit issued by the competent authority of the Ministry of Culture for its export. Examples include: jewelry and goldsmithery of museum value; paintings, sculptures, and other items of visual arts or decorative arts with patrimonial value; original books, brochures, publications, and musical scores of cultural value for the nation.

The export of foreign currencies has established limits of 5000 US dollars or its equivalent in other currencies. If the passenger requires the export of an amount exceeding this, they must present the documentation established by the Central Bank of Cuba for such purposes, or prove that the amount of money in question was previously imported by the interested party.

To learn more about this topic, we suggest consulting our article: Cuba Customs issues update on what cannot be exported

In general, regarding the execution of exports from Cuba, it is important for the passenger to keep in mind, above all, that they have the legal obligation to declare everything they are carrying when leaving the country.