This Monday, Cuba's Official Gazette released a set of three new regulations that, for the first time, establish clear limits and reference values for importing various products. Among these regulations is one that specifically outlines the maximum number of cell phones, computers, and household appliances individuals can bring into the country.
The new rules offer a legal framework allowing individuals who exceed these limits to pay duties in U.S. dollars instead of having their goods confiscated.
The legislative measures include: Decree-Law 132/2026 from the Council of State, Resolution 197/2026 from the Ministry of Finance and Prices, and Resolution 340/2026 from the General Customs of the Republic. These regulations take effect on October 12, 2026, seven days following their announcement.
Technology Import Restrictions
According to Resolution 340/2026, travelers are permitted to bring up to five cell phones, each with a reference value of $80.
For desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and similar devices, the limit is three units total, regardless of type or model. Reference values are set at $200 for a desktop, $250 for a laptop, and $100 for a tablet.
Appliances Import Guidelines
Customs will allow up to two items of the same type, provided the combined value does not exceed the general import limit.
Reference values include $300 for a domestic refrigerator, $350 for a freezer, between $250 and $500 for flat-screen televisions based on size, and between $150 and $200 for air conditioners up to one ton.
Alternative to Confiscation
A significant amendment in these regulations is the introduction of an alternative to confiscation. Per Decree-Law 132, if Customs finds an import exceeding set limits or deemed commercial, "the individual may opt to formalize the import with commercial intent before the customs authority." Payment must be made in U.S. dollars.
The duty rates for this formal commercial import are progressive: 15% on values up to $2,000, 20% on the amount exceeding that up to $4,000, 25% up to $6,000, and 30% above that.
For items arriving via postal shipment, a fixed 30% duty applies. Payments can be made using international or national cards in dollars; cash is only accepted at airports.
Failure to pay or to request re-shipment of the items will result in administrative penalties. Additionally, Customs may restrict the import rights of repeat offenders who disguise commercial imports as personal ones.
Resolution 340/2026 revokes Resolution 175 of 2022 and its amendments, establishing a comprehensive list of reference values for eleven product categories, from miscellanea and construction materials to vehicles and tools. For items valued by weight, one kilogram equates to $10.
This regulatory package is the formal implementation of one of the 176 economic transformations announced by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz before the National Assembly on June 18, 2026. This move marked the first time the regime permitted individuals to import for commercial purposes, aiming to regulate the activities of those who bring in goods for informal resale on the island.
By late September, Marrero affirmed that the country had already enacted 89% of these measures and published 197 legal norms. Gazette No. 83 is a crucial step in this ongoing process.
Understanding Cuba's New Import Regulations
What are the new limits for importing cell phones into Cuba?
Travelers can bring up to five cell phones, each with a reference value of $80, according to the new regulations.
How can individuals avoid having their goods confiscated under the new import rules?
Individuals can opt to pay duties in U.S. dollars to formalize their imports with commercial intent, thus avoiding confiscation.
What are the import limits for computers and tablets?
The limit is three units in total for desktops, laptops, and tablets combined, with specific reference values for each type.