Cuba prepares new customs law that will affect travelers from Miami

The Cuban government has announced a preliminary draft of Customs Decree-Law that, if approved, will impose significant changes in regulations for travelers entering the country, especially those from Miami.

This initiative seeks to strengthen control over personal imports and combat smuggling, in a context of economic crisis and shortage of basic products on the island.

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Objectives of the new regulations

The legislative proposal has as main objectives to reorganize the structure of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), to exercise greater control over the transport of goods and luggage, and ensure compliance with customs regulations on the borders of the country.

According to statements of the Chief of the AG, Nelson Cordo Reyes, the measure intends to update the processes Legal Liberation of goods after overcoming the established controls.

This initiative arises in response to the growing concern for the increase in incidents related to the entry of non -declared goods or in quantities that suggest commercial use.

Between April and December 2024, 67 incidents were recorded in the luggage and goods transported by air, resulting in the confiscation of more than 285 thousand units of cleaning products, around 7 thousand kilos of food and more than 700 thousand medications tablets.

Implications for travelers from Miami

Passengers traveling from Miami must be attentive to the new provisions that, once approved, will require the payment of corresponding tariffs and the presentation of the required documentation before their articles are released.

In addition, the new law is expected to establish stricter limits regarding the weight and value of articles that can be imported without commercial purposes. Currently, travelers can import up to 1000 Cuban pesos in merchandise, in addition to 25 kg of cost -free personal effects.

However, customs may determine the commercial nature of an import if the permitted amounts are exceeded or if a lack of diversity is detected in imported articles.

Additional requirements to enter Cuba

As of April 2025, the Cuban government will require that citizens residing abroad present a current Cuban passport to enter the country. This measure ends the practice implemented during the pandemic, which allowed admission with expired passports due to mobility restrictions.

The approval of this new customs law represents a Cuban government effort to strengthen control over imports personal and guarantee compliance with regulations in a context of economic crisis.

Travelers from Miami must be attentive to the new provisions and prepare to meet the additional requirements that will be implemented in the coming months.