Cuba extends tariff exemption to energy crisis and food and medicine shortage

The Cuban government again extended the exemption of tariffs for the importation of food, medicines, cleaning items and electric plants until September 30, 2025 by recognizing that the crisis that originated the measure continues.

The measure was published on Friday in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba, under resolutions 139 and 140 of the Minister of Finance and Prices.

«Currently, the conditions that gave rise to the application of these measures are maintained, both in terms of food and cleaning products, as well as medicines; and in relation to the national electro -energy system, despite the efforts made by the country, and the energy recovery program, the high energy deficit persists,» the ministry said in an official note.

An earlier extension of this benefit, which applies to both travelers and postal, maritime or aerial shipments as long as they have no commercial character, beat April 30.

The authorities appeal to this measure as «an alternative for obtaining essential products that are deficit in the country,» according to the Ministry of Finance and Prices.

Travelers who make use of this benefit must present these products to CUBA CUBA in lumps separated from the rest of the luggage, as well as shipments, details the official note.

Cuba approved the measure for the first time in July 2021, after the historical anti -government protests of the 11J, but then only included the importation of food and medicines. The electric plants joined this year, after an electroenergetic crisis that has caused four collapses of the National Electrical System (SEN) in recent months.

The tariff exemption has been prolonged, before its term come, uninterrupted since then.

The island continues the generalized shortage of food and other fundamental products, as well as the generalized blackouts and the crisis in the public health sector, affected by the lack of medicines and medical supplies.