The Cuban government imposes foreign currency tariffs on private sector imports

This Cuban government introduced customs duties on foreign currencies non-state sector imports as part of a new economic reform package, the Prime Minister announced Manuel Marrero Cruz this Wednesday. During the third regular session National Assembly In his tenth term, Marrero Cruz has outlined the regime’s latest attempts to stay afloat economically.

In addition to having to make payments in foreign currencies (while transactions in Cuba are usually conducted in domestic currency), the previous Minister of Tourism He also revealed the gradual and selective implementation of port service charges in foreign currency. He further mentioned that some sectors and activities, such as tourism, will accept cash in foreign currency, despite the recent push for banking reforms that have not yet shown positive results.

The measures were introduced just hours after the president Miguel Diaz-Canel announced a “restructuring” plan for the private and public sectors, citing the “irresponsible way” in which some institutions are operating. Díaz-Canel stressed that this is not a witch hunt against any particular form of management or ownership. However, the official narrative has been critical of Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYME)especially those that import finished goods or do not respect price limits.

The government recently introduced price caps on six essential high-demand products through a resolution published in Cuba Official Journalimposing fines of up to 8,000 pesos for non-compliance. For example Ministry of Finance and Prices 4,332 fines were imposed on private companies for price violations on July 12 and 13, totaling more than 13 million pesos, according to the official gazette Grandmother.

Authorities and inspectors carried out 11,891 inspections to ensure compliance with retail prices. But Vladimir RegueiroThe sector head reported that 41.7% of inspections revealed violations, with the number of cases reaching 4,954, although 4,332 fines were imposed, totaling more than 13 million pesos.

In addition to the fines, there were 354 forced sales, including 187 in Havana— 53 temporary suspensions of business licenses and 21 seizures, mostly targeting people conducting illegal activities, according to the same media.