Regulations (206, 207, 208 of the
AGR and 300 of the MFP), which revoke those
implemented in 2011, establish limits to determine
the commercial character of imports made individuals
traveling via any mode of transportation.
They establish, additionally, limits
on the quantity of items or products which can enter
the country, allowing customs to identify for-profit
imports and carry out their confiscation.
"These modifications were made after
a study on the practical application of the
resolution implemented in 2011," explained Idalmis
Rosales Milanés, deputy director of the AGR, in a
press conference.
Milanés said that imports valued at
1000 pesos and shipments of 200 pesos will continue,
as well as the duty exemption for household items
imported by participants in international missions;
personal effects; and 10 kilograms of medicine;
among other traveler rights.
She highlighted that in 1979 imports
of a non-commercial character were defined in Cuba,
a standard international practice, and for the first
time in 2011 Customs was authorized to establish the
commercial character of an import or shipment.
"The fate of abandoned or
confiscated products is established by the
resolution; for example, the Ministry of Public
Health is responsible for the distribution of
medicines among its health centers and the Ministry
Domestic Commerce for the distribution of
miscellaneous items."
Yahily García Pompa, head of the
MFP’s Department of Customs Policy, explained that
it was necessary to reform the norms which until
recently regulated value and quantity, with
adjustments bearing in mind what the General Customs
of the Republic have established.
Responding to questions from the
press about the rights of Cubans serving in
international missions, Carmen Arias Suárez, said, "Collaborators
are subject to the same regulations established for
individuals and, after working for two or more years,
may import only once an indivisible set of household
goods.
According to Jorge Jiménez Cabrera,
Head of Terminal Three at José Martí International
Airport, Havana, the measure will only affect a
small percentage of Cuban travelers, given that the
majority of passengers arriving to Cuba experience
no incidents in regards to their luggage, saying, "The
objective of the resolution is to avoid and prevent
corruption."
