Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cuba have begun to assess and prepare procedures to import fuel, after the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, announced on February 7, 2026, that the Government will allow companies to purchase fuels from abroad.
"We are going to diversify fuel importers in the country. We are enabling and authorizing any company that is able to acquire fuel to purchase it," stated the minister.
Requirements and procedures for importing fuel in Cuba from a small or medium-sized enterprise (mipyme)
This weekend, the Mipyme Sonicarpa SRL published on Facebook the requirements that, according to their explanation, must be met by companies interested in importing oil through the Non-State Management Forms (FGNE).
Among the mentioned steps are:
- Obtain authorization from Physical Planning regarding the location of fuel depots, whether in owned facilities, leased from a state-owned company with established conditions, or at CUPET.
- Obtain certification from the Fire Department of Cuba that validates the safety of storage.
- Present an agreement from the partners' board (in the case of SMEs or cooperatives) demonstrating that the fuel will be allocated to the authorized activity.
- Submit the registration and import request through a state importer, such as QUIMIMPORT or MAPRINTER, responsible for managing the purchase.
The company also indicated that small and medium-sized enterprises must secure the tanks and storage location in ESICUBA. They could hire storage in CUPET facilities or other state entities that already have the permits and conditions to operate fuel.
Expectations and doubts amid the crisis
The measure comes in the context of a prolonged energy crisis, with frequent blackouts and fuel shortages that have impacted transportation and productive activities.
The government approved the flexibilization after the United States imposed tariffs on countries that trade oil with Cuba, further limiting state access to supply.
On social media, the decision has sparked intense debate. Some citizens are questioning the costs associated with the mandatory intermediation of state importers, payment for storage and logistics, as well as the final impact on the price per liter of fuel.
"Now it is possible to import fuel, which wasn't the case before. Who was blocking the import for small and medium enterprises? I wonder how much one will have to pay in taxes to a state importer for each barrel of oil," said a user on social media.
Others point out that the procedures could be lengthy, bureaucratic, and do not rule out frequent state seizures. The minority of commentators view the measure as an opportunity for the private sector to help alleviate the shortage.
At the moment, no official details have been released regarding trading margins, storage fees, or estimated times for application approvals—factors that will be crucial in assessing the actual scope of the measure.
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