Fast, Safe, and Convenient: Door-to-Door Shipments from China to Cuba

Shipments to Cuba door-to-door Cuba can be quite a tough task, especially for new exporters or those dealing with regular shipments. When sending shipments to countries like Cuba, there are numerous factors to keep in mind, and having guidance and support is crucial due to the regulations, bans, and restrictions that need to be considered. Understanding Cuban laws, customs, and norms—both official and unofficial—is key.

Economic Snapshot :

• GDP: approximately US$100 billion, with a GDP growth rate of 2.2% and per capita GDP of approximately US$8,821.82
• Total goods imports: approximately US$10 billion
• Main imports: petroleum, poultry meat, wheat, concentrated milk, corn, rice, medical equipment
• Main export products: raw sugar, cigars, nickel matte, wine, crustaceans
• Main trading partners: China, Indonesia, Singapore, Lebanon, and Europe (Spain, Germany, Switzerland)

In this guide, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of shipments to Cuba door-to-door, laying a solid foundation for your export business. We are also committed to simplifying the entire process of shipments to Cuba door-to-door, making it easy for you to understand and master how to create a comprehensive plan for shipping goods to Cuba. This will help you make informed, efficient decisions and ensure that your goods reach Cuba smoothly during the transportation process.

Door-to-door Shipping process to Cuba

Exporting goods to Cuba can indeed be a complex process that requires careful preparation and adherence to regulations, but as long as you are well-prepared and strictly comply with the relevant requirements, everything will become simple and smooth. Here are the key steps for shipments to Cuba door-to-door that can hopefully assist you:

1. Understand import and export regulations: Dive deep into Cuba's import regulations and legal requirements to ensure your goods meet local standards and regulations. This can help avoid unnecessary trouble due to violations.
2. Goods preparation and packaging: Thoughtfully preparing and packaging your goods is a crucial step in ensuring their safe arrival at the destination. Choose appropriate packaging based on the nature of the goods to ensure they remain safe and intact during transportation.
3. Prepare documents and permits: Prepare all necessary documents and permits in advance, such as export licenses, invoices, etc. Ensure that the documents are complete and accurate to avoid issues during the customs process.
4. Choose the right mode of transportation: Based on the nature of the goods, transit time, and budget, select the most suitable mode of transportation. You can consider air freight, sea freight, or even a combination of multiple transportation modes to ensure the timely delivery of the goods.
5. Find a reliable freight forwarder: Choose an experienced and reputable freight forwarder like Jikeship who can assist you with handling transportation details, provide professional advice, and ensure the safe transportation with door-to-door service.
6. Customs clearance: Once the goods arrive in Cuba, they need to go through customs clearance procedures according to local regulations. Providing accurate documents and information is crucial to ensure smooth customs clearance.
7. Local delivery and pickup: After customs clearance, you can arrange for local delivery or pickup. Make sure to arrange related matters in advance for a smooth delivery to the recipient.

Based on our experience, compliance, careful preparation, and choosing the right partners are key to successfully door-to-door shipments to Cuba , helping ensure smooth transportation and the safe arrival of goods at their destination.

Documents required to import into Cuba

Understanding and complying with document requirements are crucial steps to ensure smooth door-to-door transportation to Cuba. Before shipment, thorough preparation and accurate completion of all necessary documents are essential. Below, I have detailed some of the documents that may need to be prepared and their importance:

• Commercial Invoice

1. The commercial invoice is a core document for exported goods, containing detailed information such as the item name, quantity, value, sender, and receiver. Make sure the commercial invoice is accurate and error-free.
2. The commercial invoice must be written in English and include the contract number. It should contain the following details: the seller's name and address, the location of the goods at the time of sale, the sale date or contract date, the buyer's name and address, the batch number and type of goods, packaging marks and labels, the name of the goods, the gross and net weight of the goods in metric units, the quality and unit price of the goods, the amount payable by the buyer, freight and insurance costs, sales terms and discounts, immediate payment discounts and other conditions.
3. For the commercial invoice, the seller must include the following declaration, which must be signed. The main content is: The seller declares that the details in the commercial invoice are accurate, the price of the sold goods will not be changed under any circumstances, no one else is allowed to issue another commercial invoice or receipt for this batch of goods or provide a higher value certificate than the one stated in the commercial invoice, and the goods were produced by a factory in a specified country. This declaration on the invoice must be written in Spanish.

• Bill of Lading

1. The bill of lading is for sea freight. The document serves as proof of ownership of the goods and must arrive at the destination with the goods.
2. Typically, three original bills of lading and four copies are required. Both the original and copies must be signed. Bills of lading are divided into air waybills and sea waybills. An air waybill refers to a bill of lading for goods transported by air and generally requires one original and one copy.

• Packing List The packing list describes the packaging, quantity, weight, dimensions, and other information about the goods, helping customs understand the nature of the goods and conduct quick inspections.

• Certificate of Origin Whether a certificate of origin is required is decided by the parties to the contract. Generally, a certificate of origin is issued by a recognized chamber of commerce. Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce requires a copy of the certificate of origin certified by the embassy to be kept on file, in duplicate, with one copy for the embassy's records. For example, when handling documents for Cuba, indicate "2" copies in the quantity section, with one copy for the applicant company and one for the Cuban embassy.

• Insurance Policy The insurance policy is proof of cargo insurance, ensuring the goods are fully protected during transportation. It offers compensation in case of accidents.

In addition to the above documents, depending on the specific type of goods, other specific documents may be required, such as health certificates, inspection certificates, etc. Avoid using vague language, and ensure all document contents are accurate, detailed, and match the actual goods, as this helps to prevent unnecessary delays and complications.

Cuba import taxes

When calculating the total door-to-door shipping cost to Cuba, it's essential to take into account the crucial factor of tariffs and duties. Apart from transportation expenses, the payment of tariffs and duties is a significant part of the entire shipping process.

Cuba Customs Website: http://www.aduana.gov.ec/

Cuba's current tariff rates were established in 2008. Cuban tariffs are applied based on the value of the goods, and there are two types of rates currently in use: the standard rate and the preferential rate. The standard rate averages 16.9%, while the preferential rate averages 10.7%.

Cuba increases the import duty on cigars, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages containing rum to 30% (the Most-Favored-Nation tariff rate for these products will be raised to 15%)

Restricted Items are not allowed in door-to-door shipping to Cuba.

Certain items are strictly forbidden from being transported, while others are subject to limitations.

Items prohibited from being shipped to Cuba

The following items are not allowed to be shipped to Cuba: • Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 0.5% by volume • Cigarettes and other tobacco products • Explosives and Ammunition • Narcotics and Drugs • radioactive material • pornographic material • live animals • Counterfeit and pirated goods

Cuban imports are mainly categorized into two types:

1. Commercial Imports: These are imports for the development of national industry and agriculture or for public consumption.
2. Non-commercial Imports: These are imports by individuals or groups for non-commercial purposes.

Neither type of import requires an import license. The Cuban National Bank is responsible for setting foreign exchange management regulations and providing exchange services for importers to pay import fees. Payment for import trade should, in most cases, be made using an irrevocable letter of credit.

Cuba classifies import and export products into three groups, each with different registration and certification requirements:

1. Products Requiring Registration and Approval: These include food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, measuring instruments subject to mandatory inspection, toys, pesticides, and others that must be registered and approved by a relevant Cuban authority.
2. Products Subject to Mandatory Standards: These products must meet Cuban mandatory standards or other legal technical requirements.
3. Products with Manufacturer or Supplier Confirmation: These goods only require a confirmation statement from the manufacturer or supplier.

For samples and promotional items imported into Cuba, the government allows duty-free entry for samples used for temporary exhibitions and those sent to foreign trade companies and their representatives stationed in Cuba. However, for samples with no commercial value but deemed necessary by customs for taxation, duties must be paid according to customs regulations.

Shipping to Cuba's major cargo airports

Main cargo airport: Havana (HAV)

Air Shipments to Cuba door-to-door

Air freight is a speedy yet costly way to transport goods from China to Cuba, ideal for high-value items with urgent delivery needs. By loading goods onto planes, they can be swiftly delivered within a few days, especially suitable for small-volume (less than 2 cubic meters) and light-weight (less than 200 kilograms) items, particularly those with strict time constraints.

Opting for air freight carries several advantages:

• Speed: Air freight is the quickest mode of transportation and is perfect for urgently required deliveries.
• Safety: Airlines typically enforce strict safety measures to ensure the secure transportation of goods.
• Insurance Coverage: Air freight offers a broad insurance coverage range, providing comprehensive protection for high-value goods.

Although air freight comes at a higher cost, it proves to be the most effective solution for high-value goods with urgent delivery needs. Especially for medical supplies, high-end electronics, and similar items, air freight can yield significant economic benefits by ensuring timely and secure delivery to Cuba.

Air freight main port of loading (POL) and port of discharge (POD)

Door-to-door Air freight time from China to Cuba

Air freight from China airport to Cuba airport typically takes around 3 to 7 days. If you need a door-to-door service, picking up goods from the China factory will take around 1-3 days, and delivery from HAV airport to your door might take 1-5 days. So, door-to-door shipments to Cuba might take around 5 to 15 days, varying mainly based on the speed of your customs clearance.

Air freight costs from China to Cuba

Air freight costs fluctuate based on the carrier, speed, and cargo type, with average charges ranging from $6 to approximately $11 per kilogram.

Door-to-door Express shipping from China to Cuba

Currently, there are no door-to-door express delivery services from China to Cuba. However, DHL offers combined shipping by sea and air, with rates as low as USD 6 per kilogram, and accepts wooden crates and palletized goods.

If you want to know about sea freight's shipping time and costs from China to Cuba, please read our blog.

Door-to-Door Shipping Services from China to Cuba - JIKE logistics

Picking a reliable and professional logistics buddy who understands how business works in China and Cuba is crucial for making a mark in the Cuban market. When it comes to this, JIKE Logistics is the go-to partner you can rely on!

At JIKE, we're all about looking out for your interests and giving you full-on support to help you thrive in Cuba. With our deep know-how and experience in both the Chinese and Cuban business scenes and their rules, we've got your back. As your shipping expert, we'll offer top-notch logistics solutions to ensure your goods smoothly sail from China to Cuba, meeting all local rules and standards.

No matter if you’re after air transport or sea shipping, JIKE Logistics will customize the perfect plan for you, making sure your shipments to Cuba door-to-door are fast and safe. Our crew will be there for you every step of the way, fixing any hitches during the shipping process so you can focus on your business hassle-free, and together, we’ll pave the way for your success in the Cuban market!

FQAs - Door-to-door Shipping to Cuba