The Cuban government announced that it will allow the importation of vehicles for Cubans on missions abroad, as reported this Wednesday during the session of the Cuban Parliament.
The measure includes those who carry out collaboration missions in other countries, such as medical brigades, as well as diplomatic personnel and representatives of companies abroad, as reported by the Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz at the beginning of the third regular session of the National Assembly of People's Power in its tenth legislature, in Havana.
Marrero referred to the approval of a new policy for the transfer of ownership of motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, their commercialization, and importation, which, he said, "is in the process of reviewing complementary regulations for its implementation."
According to the regulations, new requirements will be implemented for the import of motor vehicles to ensure technical compatibility. In a related note, the Prime Minister commented: "Here, there have been those who have embarked on and brought one of those big jeeps, and in the end didn't realize that the gasoline available in Cuba is not suitable for that, and it overheats."
The government authorizes the company SASA (Servicios Automores, S.A.) to import and market motor vehicle bodies and motorcycle frames, in convertible currency, but exclusively for replacement within the country.
However, the quantity and types of vehicles that private businesses, officially called non-state management forms (FGNE), will be limited in their ability to import.
Regarding the importation of cars, Marrero argued that "cars that are not compatible with society, that are not necessary" are entering the country, and warned: "We have to limit the amount, it has to be in line with the country's interests, and this is also corrected in this regulation."
Likewise, the importation of fuel motorcycles and tricycles will be authorized, the latter "which greatly help meet needs," stated the Cuban official.
Another of the provisions announced on this day establishes that motor vehicles and bodies that become available within the country will be marketed in the national currency.
The transfer of ownership between natural and legal persons will also be authorized - with the exception of foreign diplomatic headquarters - and the corresponding tax regime must be complied with.
"These regulations are in the process of being implemented," Marrero emphasized in his speech to the deputies of the National Assembly, in which he assessed "the implementation of the government's projections to correct distortions and reinvigorate the economy in 2024."
In 2023, the Cuban government announced the approval of new regulations for the sale and importation of motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, amidst the transportation and energy crisis that has been affecting the country for years.
Law 83/2023 "Concerning the transfer of ownership of motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers, their commercialization, and importation," approved and published in February of that year in the Official Gazette of Cuba, authorized the wholesale sale in freely convertible currency of new and second-hand motor vehicles to all Cuban and foreign legal entities.
The new policy announced this Wednesday by the current Cuban government updates and "corrects" the rule in force since then, according to the arguments put forward by Prime Minister Marrero.
According to a recent article in the official press, "car imports in Cuba have experienced significant growth during the year 2023, driven by the approval of Council of Ministers Law 83, legislation that has opened the doors for Cuban citizens to import new or used cars."
Cubadebate stated that the country has become one of the fastest-growing markets for car imports.
However, the government has continued to sell batches of old vehicles that it imports and markets at high prices - tens of thousands of dollars - to individuals and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Most of these cars have covered thousands of kilometers, as reported by Cubans on several occasions. The government buys them and uses them for tourism rentals, but once they start to show technical problems, they are withdrawn and put up for sale to the population at very high prices.
Meanwhile, in contrast to the economic crisis affecting the country, new luxury vehicles are circulating on the streets and roads, which have been imported by Cuban SMEs from the United States. Among the most commonly seen car brands in Cuban cities are Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Range Rover, BMW, Toyota, Kia, and even a few flashy Mini Coopers.
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