Doing business

(Last updated: 4 June 2008)

Business etiquette

Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime. Australian individuals and companies can be prosecuted in Australia for bribing foreign officials when overseas. For more information, go to the Attorney General's Department on foreign bribery.

Tariffs and non-tariff barriers

Customs duties are based on the Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature (CCCN) system of classification. Two columns are used with most countries coming under the 'general' heading. Preferential rates under the 'conventional' heading are applied on imports from countries with whom Cuba has trade agreements.

Custom authority contact details:

Chief of General Customs
Aduana General de la Republica
Avenida Independencia No. 63
e/Bruzon y Lugareno
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 790 800

Non-tariff barriers

The Central Planning Board limits and supervises imports according to the annual economic plan.

Control of import transactions is effected by the Ministry of Foreign Trade (MINCEX) through specialised State Trading Organisations.

A range of items are prohibited unless imported by the relevant trading authority. In 1994, Cuba legalised the holding of foreign currency, and in July 1995, opened its first two foreign exchange houses, offering hard currency transactions such as buying and selling foreign currencies for US dollars. The exchange houses are under the supervision of the National Bank of Cuba.

Product certification, labelling and packaging

Goods should be clearly marked with their net, gross and legal weights in metric units.

Imported products which undergo some sort of processing in Cuba must bear one of the following statements: Estampado en Cuba (stamped in Cuba); Refinado en Cuba (refined in Cuba); or Envasado en Cuba (packaged in Cuba).

Shipments packed in hay or straw are subject to fumigation with formaldehyde upon arrival, even if they were fumigated in the country of shipment.

Outer containers should be marked by stencil or brush with consignee's mark and port mark and should also be numbered to accord with packing list.

Special certificates

The import of textiles requires an inspection certificate. Animals, plants and their products require health certificates issued by an approved authority in the country of origin along with approval documentation from the relevant Cuban authorities (see 'Public health requirements').

Methods of quoting and payment

Cuba is a member country of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) institution, founder of the International Investment Bank, with a reserve capital compounded by 'transferable roubles' and freely convertible currencies and gold. The latter is used for paying for imports outside the CMEA area. Payment is normally by letter of credit on sight basis.

Documentary requirements

Commercial invoice

Number of originals and copies required will be stipulated in contract. Preferably they are written in Spanish, but English is acceptable. They must include the:

• Name and address of seller, location of merchandise when sold, date of sale or of sales contract, as well as the date of invoice, name and address of buyer, name and address of consignee.
• Identifying marks and numbers, quantity and type of packages, gross and net metric weights.
• Country of origin, source of merchandise.
• Price per unit, group of units of equal kind, quality and total price.
• Grand total of invoice including the FOB value (Incoterms 1990) and the conditions of sale.
• Expenses payable by buyer (all discounts must also be shown).

Corrections, erasures, crossing out et cetera, should be avoided unless approved by a clear statement, duly signed by the seller.

Consular legalisation may be required. However, invoices and documents for goods consigned to the Empresa Cubana de Importaciones do not require regular consular legalisation.

There are special invoicing requirements for imports of drugs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, textiles and motor vehicles.

Bill of lading/airway bill

enerally, three originals and four non-negotiable copies are required, all signed. Also, Consular legalisation may be required.

Packing list

Must be provided in number of copies requested by importer.

Certificate of origin

Required, unless otherwise stipulated in the import contract. Certification by a recognised Chamber of Commerce is generally required.

Public health requirements

Prior authorisation by the Cuban Department of Plant Quarantine is required for imports of live plants, cuttings, seeds and fruit (fresh and dried). Additionally, a phytosanitary certificate, issued by an approved authority in the country of origin, must accompany shipments of plants and plant products. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) or the relevant state department of agriculture is generally responsible for issuing this for Australian products.

Prior approval from the Cuban Institute of Veterinary Medicine is required for imports of all animals, except dogs and cats, which must be covered by a rabies vaccination certificate.

All animals imported into Cuba must also be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, issued by the approved authority in the country of origin.

Pharmaceuticals and medicinal products must be registered with the Ministry of Public Health.

Insurance

Insurance of all imports must be handled by Empresa de Seguros Internacionales de Cuba (ESICUBA).

Weights and measures

The metric system

Taxation

A port charge is levied, on imports, on a specific basis.