Private Enterprise Partners with Cuba's Postal Service Amid Rising Competition in International Shipping

The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) Transmiret has stepped in to support the perpetually overwhelmed state-run Correos de Cuba, facilitating the delivery of international parcels in Matanzas. At the end of August, the provincial branch of the state entity announced the arrival of the "first batch of international postal packages at the Matanzas Classification Center, part of the Matanzas Postal Company, coming from SME Transmiret, following successful strategic negotiation agreements for parcel delivery with non-state management entities."

"This crucial step enhances the efficient distribution of shipments, which will be processed at the center for subsequent dispatch to various municipalities in the province," the information specified. "This development marks a significant milestone in modernizing and diversifying the postal system, contributing to the integration of new players in the supply chain and the continuous improvement of provincial postal services," it concluded.

The Power Shift in Parcel Delivery

The independent newspaper 14 y Medio, which has been following this news, published statements this Saturday from an employee of the Matanzas 1 office, located on the busy Calle del Medio. She acknowledged that "this partnership is a response to the constant complaints from users and the loss of trust in Correos de Cuba's international shipping service." "The reality is that we've faced issues with precision, distribution, and customer service. Now they hope this alliance improves the situation," she added.

The independent outlet explains the motivation behind this partnership is also Correos de Cuba's interest in reclaiming ground lost to other private initiatives. Among these competitors is We Ship You, which has been operating for three years from the Peñas Altas neighborhood. "They provide excellent service. With their mobile app, I can track the package from the moment it arrives at their depot until it's delivered to my doorstep. The first time I used the service, the package arrived on a Sunday, and since deliveries started on Monday, I went to the base and received it in 10 minutes," said Arnaldo, a regular customer of We Ship You, based in Homestead, Florida, and founded by Colombian Carlos Badel and Cuban Johan Rodríguez. "Additionally, the heavier the shipment, the lower the price. It can cost $4 per pound if it exceeds 10 pounds. In less than 21 days, the package is here, something unthinkable with Correos de Cuba," he added.

Competing Against State Monopoly

Another company challenging the once state monopoly, according to 14 y Medio, is Tu Envío Latino, "an online shopping agency created by two young entrepreneurs from Matanzas who seized the opportunity left by the State." "We saw the opportunity and started working on it. Our family in Miami helps us; the purchases reach them and are then sent to Cuba. Gradually, we've grown and now move more than $10,000 in goods every fortnight," one of its founders told the independent outlet. "We're not afraid of Correos de Cuba's competition, because whenever state companies try something remotely innovative, we private businesses outperform them, as we adapt faster. With us, products arrive in less than 20 days, even from China. Once, a customer received a purchase from the Nike store in just 24 hours," he added.

The Collapse of Correos de Cuba

In recent weeks, the Business Group Correos de Cuba (GECC) has publicly acknowledged the collapse of its international parcel reception, processing, and delivery system, blaming the "record numbers" of imported combustion engine motorcycles, which overwhelm its already fragile logistical capacity. The International Messaging and Exchange Company (EMCI) justified this situation by stating they are undergoing a "critical route" similar to the years 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic when millions of international shipments were processed. However, unlike then, fewer packages are received now, but they are larger and heavier, complicating operations further.

Correos also argues that the current context is more challenging than during COVID-19: there is a severe fuel shortage, impacts on the national electric system, and a structural logistical crisis, exacerbated by delays in customs dispatches that halt the official entry of cargo into the postal system until clearance is granted. Additionally, they highlight that airport and Mariel port authorities prioritize other goods deemed strategic for the country, such as raw materials and industrial supplies, further delaying personal shipment delivery times.

The state entity indicates that the average delivery time for international parcels now exceeds 60 days, and in the case of motorcycles, delays can extend for months. The EMCI is still processing containers received at the end of April, as the entity publicly admitted. Despite promises from commercial agencies assuring deliveries in 15 days, motorcycles are only being distributed from three points: Havana, Santa Clara, and Holguín, depending on the recipient's geographic location. This forces many Cubans to travel long distances to collect their vehicles, incurring additional costs and inconveniences.

Correos asserted that the decision was not made by them but acknowledged it has caused "dissatisfaction and complaints." Moreover, the EMCI's automated plant has not yet been able to start due to the lack of an imported electrical component, further delaying the promised modernization of the service.

In recent months, the official press attempted to showcase improvements in delivery services, but reports of more than 4,000 accumulated shipments, complaints of losses, and the saturation caused by new imports like motorcycles reveal otherwise. With a system that continues to collapse, Correos de Cuba tries to justify the slowness of its services as a blend of structural obstacles, merchandise overload, external delays, and a lack of basic resources.

Additionally, in a country where social media has become an almost mandatory channel to report daily irregularities, complaints of theft or losses in international shipments managed by Correos de Cuba have not gone unnoticed. Despite this, the Business Group Correos de Cuba published an extensive statement on Facebook titled "Correos de Cuba: Speaking Clearly," where they attempt to discredit the complaints and minimize their impact.