Cuban Customs extends the deadline for the importation of food, personal hygiene products, and medicines free of tariffs until January.

This Saturday, the Cuban government announced the extension, until January 31, 2025, of the tariff exemption on food, personal hygiene products, and medicines for travelers arriving in the country from abroad.

The announcement was made through Resolution 311 of the Ministry of Finance and Prices, published in the extraordinary edition number 45 of the Official Gazette, and it establishes that the measure comes into effect next Tuesday, October 1.

The decision, which the authorities describe as "exceptional," specifies that the customs value limit for non-commercial imports made by individuals through shipments remains at 500 USD.

In addition, the exemption from customs duty payment for the first 30 dollars of value, or its equivalent weight of 3 kg of the shipment, remains in effect, and only the excess of the tariff rate will be applied at 30%.

Likewise, food, hygiene products, medications, and supplies imported by individuals as air, sea, and postal shipments have an authorization of up to a limit of 200 USD or a weight of up to 20 kg.

The text also indicates that the advantages of the regulation are granted on the condition that products classified as food, or hygiene items, as well as those classified as medicines and medical supplies included in the traveler's luggage, are presented to customs in separate packages from other goods.

The regime has been extending this measure since it was approved following the protests on July 11, 2021. Three years have passed, and the situation in the country remains critical.

Imports made by Cubans from abroad are essential for many families to access basic medications such as analgesics, as they are not available on the island.

Despite the shortage of medicines, food, and hygiene products, the Customs of Cuba maintains strict control over the luggage of travelers arriving in the country.

Recently, international shipping agencies to the island expressed their concern over the regime's delay in announcing the extension of this measure. From abroad, thousands of Cubans use these exemptions to support their relatives in Cuba.