The new set of regulations approved by the Cuban government not only changes the rules for buying, selling, and assembling vehicles. It also broadens who will be able to import cars, although the benefit will not be equally available to everyone.
Decree 163/2026, published this Tuesday in the Official Gazette No. 65, establishes several categories of natural persons and entities authorized to import motor vehicles, but reserves some of the greatest benefits for specific groups, such as diplomats, cooperators, and other workers sent abroad by the State.
The measure is part of a broader reform of the regime for the transmission of property, marketing, and importation of vehicles approved by the Cuban government.
Cubans who will be able to import a car with up to eight seats
One of the main updates is that certain Cuban citizens will be able to import, for a one-time occasion, a combustion, hybrid, or fully electric vehicle with a capacity of up to eight seats.
The authorization benefits:
- Staff of state diplomatic, consular, and business missions who have been abroad for at least two uninterrupted years.
- Cuban cooperators, professionals, and other workers sent abroad through contracts between Cuban state companies and foreign entities or through intergovernmental or interministerial agreements, provided they have completed a minimum of two years of mission.
- Crew members of vessels and aircraft hired in accordance with the specific regulations of their activity.
These individuals will be able to choose to import the vehicle from the country where they are serving their mission —or even from a third country— through authorized importing companies. They will also have the option to purchase it directly in Cuba through state trading companies authorized for this purpose.
In addition, those who receive this authorization will be exempt, for a one-time occasion, from paying the Special Tax on Products and Services associated with that transaction.
And the rest of the citizens?
The decree also maintains import options for individual Cuban residents on the island, although they are much more limited.
Among them are:
- Up to two mopeds or electric motorcycles (or one of each type).
- A combustion or hybrid motorcycle of up to 250 cc every five years.
- An electric or hybrid tricycle every five years.
- A combustion tricycle of up to 250 cc every five years.
- A fully electric car, por única vez, siempre que se importe junto con una estación de carga alimentada por fuentes renovables de energía, cuya importación estará, además, exenta de impuestos y aranceles.
That is to say, for most citizens, the possibility of importing conventional cars remains restricted, while combustion vehicles with up to eight seats are reserved for the special categories provided for in the regulation.
Foreign diplomats also retain that right
The new regulations maintain the possibility for diplomatic missions, consular offices, international organizations, and their accredited personnel in Cuba to import vehicles, in accordance with the current technical regulations and the limits established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Everything must be done through authorized entities
The importation of these vehicles will not be allowed to be carried out freely.
The decree stipulates that operations must be managed through import and marketing companies authorized by the State, following the procedures set forth by the relevant ministries. Additionally, beneficiaries will require a guarantee issued by the corresponding agency to verify that they meet the required criteria.
Subsequently, a resolution from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment authorized 17 state-owned companies to carry out these operations and manage the imports intended for both residents and Cuban workers benefiting from the new regime.
A broader reform of the automotive market
These provisions are part of the set of regulations published on August 4, which also modifies the rules for the buying and selling of vehicles, the transfer of ownership, national assembly, and the import of engines, chassis, and other parts. CiberCuba has explained other aspects of the reform, such as the new rules for importing vehicles and components, the changes in the transfer of ownership, and the role of the Automotive Media Evaluation Committee in deciding which brands and models can be sold on the island.
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