Sending parcels and combos to Cuba: limits, duties and what changed in 2026

A parcel — by air, sea or post — received by a person in Cuba is a non-commercial import. Its rules are in Decree-Law 22 of 2020 and in the resolutions of the Ministry of Finance and Prices and the General Customs of the Republic that develop it. Three things changed in 2026: the value limit went up, the food and medicine exemption became open-ended, and the excess can now be paid for in dollars.

The limit and what you pay

The food, toiletries and medicine exemption only applies if the parcel contains only those items. To value them, Customs Resolution 34 of 2026 uses an equivalence of 1 kg = 10 USD.

Quantities

Customs Resolution 340 of 2026 sets the rules for non-commercial imports by individuals and reference values that apply by any route. Under those rules, miscellaneous goods must be varied in type, and of a single item 5 kg or 5 units are allowed, or 3 if each is worth more than 50 USD.

If the parcel exceeds the limit

Since October 2026, if a parcel exceeds the limit or is commercial in nature, the recipient can choose to formalise it as a commercial import and pay a 30% customs duty in dollars (Decree-Law 132 and Resolution 197 of 2026), plus a service fee of 2 to 50 USD depending on value. Payment is by international or national card in dollars. If it is neither paid for nor re-exported, customs confiscates it.

Generators, motorbikes and cars by parcel

• Generators of more than 900 W: can be sent above the value limit paying 30% on the excess (Resolution 10 of 2026 of the Ministry of Finance and Prices).
• One electric moped or motorbike per parcel, and one combustion motorbike up to 250 cc every five years, for people resident in Cuba (Decree 163 of 2026).
• One fully electric car, once only, exempt if it comes with its renewable-energy charging station (Decree 163 of 2026).

Combos bought online

A combo paid for from abroad to a Cuban seller is not a parcel from one person to another: it is an e-commerce sale. Council of Ministers Agreement 10216, published in Official Gazette No. 32 (Extraordinary) of 25 February 2026 and in force 60 days later, regulates that trade with payments from abroad.

• The Central Bank of Cuba sets the requirements to authorise sellers to receive payments from abroad (third provision).
• Sellers must register in the Central Commercial Registry and comply with consumer protection, guarantee and after-sales rules (fourth provision).
• Selling goods to foreign entities for them to sell on to beneficiaries in Cuba through that e-commerce is prohibited (tenth provision).
• Taxes on these sales are paid in foreign currency (third special provision).