If you’re planning a trip to Cuba, you’re probably thinking about what to pack and what not to pack. We know this can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this detailed write-up, you’ll find all the information you need about the items you can pack in your luggage, the essential items you should have with you during your trip and the right clothes to enjoy your stay in the Caribbean island. So feel free to relax and read carefully to clarify all your doubts.
The characteristics of the destination and the island’s customs regulations are the main topics to be taken into account when addressing this issue.
What clothes and accessories should I bring to my trip to Cuba?
Cuba’s climate is tropical, with high temperatures even in winter, so it is advisable to wear light, light, comfortable, cool and breathable clothing, as well as comfortable sandals and sneakers for hiking and walking for hours in the cities.
Obviously if you visit any of the beach destinations on the island, you can not miss the related accessories: bathing suit, sunglasses, hat, towel, sunscreen, and why not, some snorkeling equipment and mask.
Most people in the country or in the city wear casual clothes for any occasion during the day. During the night, if you go to a restaurant, bar, discotheque or tourist place then we do recommend in the case of men to have long pants (jeans or dress) and a short sleeve shirt. In the case of women, a dress (doesn’t have to be so glamorous) and a sandal or platform, it will be a perfect outfit for the occasion.
We recommend bringing a light jacket for transfers in buses and air-conditioned places, especially for airplanes, which usually have very low temperatures.
One aspect to keep in mind on the island is that there may be shortages of certain products and supermarkets are not like in other countries, so we recommend carrying a toiletry bag with personal hygiene accessories such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary towels, etc.
Carrying some insect repellent (spray or patches) will be very useful, especially if you want to go on nature excursions. Mosquitoes are very common in these places.
It is also advisable to carry a first aid kit with all the basic and necessary medicines, as some may be difficult to obtain on the island. Some items you could include are painkillers, antihistamines, antiseptics, bandages, gauze and adhesive tape. If you suffer from any illness it is of vital importance that you include more than the dosage contemplated for the days of the trip in case you have any mishap and need to stay longer.
As for technological luggage, it is ideal if you have a camera or video camera… you will undoubtedly be impressed by the landscapes of the Caribbean and you will want to save them in snapshots. A power adapter, a portable cell phone charger and a battery charger (in case you use batteries in your camera or other equipment) will be very useful.
If you have a special diet, it is important to take precautions before traveling to Cuba, as some foods may be difficult or impossible to find on the island. For example, if you are vegetarian or vegan, you may find it difficult to find foods that meet your dietary needs, as most Cuban dishes contain pork, chicken or fish. In addition, if you are traveling with elderly people, infants or children, it is important to take their particular needs into account during your trip. For example, babies and young children may require formula, diapers and other essentials that may be difficult to find in Cuba. Elderly people may have special needs in terms of food, mobility and medical care. At this point, I recommend you read our article: 10 essential things you should bring in your luggage to Cuba and have a summary of what you have to contemplate.
Finally, you should keep in mind to leave a space in your suitcase for gifts and presents you want to bring back from your trip. Don’t forget that Cuba is famous for the high quality of its rum and cigars, although as a traveler you should know what you are allowed to take out of the country in your return luggage and not have any mishap with the Cuban authorities.
Although supermarkets and pharmacies in Cuba may be different and there are products that are in short supply, if you need to make a purchase or want to go in search of a souvenir you can be guided by all the recommendations and tips we have in our article: Shopping in Cuba as a tourist.
Customs Regulations in Cuba
Knowing the restrictions included in Cuban customs laws is essential before packing your luggage to avoid many setbacks.
Based on the information provided by the Cuban authorities, it is important to note that Cuba prohibits the importation of certain items, as well as has regulations on the weight and quantity of luggage, quantity of items and limits on foreign currency entries. Further details are provided below.
What can be taken in and out of Cuba?
All passengers can import:
Personal effects, which will not pay customs duties.
Passengers may import as part of their baggage, without commercial character and subject to the payment of the corresponding customs duties, new and used articles up to the limit in authorized value of one thousand (1,000) U.S. dollars. The value of articles arriving in the country as unaccompanied baggage shall be part of the maximum value allowed for that passenger.
Minors, as long as they are ten (10) years old, are entitled to import articles up to the limit of the established value.
They are exempt from the payment of duties:
Up to 10 kilograms of medicines.
Elaborated pharmaceutical products, wheelchairs, scientific, technical, art and literature books; musical scores; records, cassettes, tapes, fixed views and cinematographic films for teaching purposes; prostheses, when they replace or substitute an organ or part of it; and equipment, books or materials intended for the blind.
The products that, as temporary imports, are brought by foreigners as artists, sportsmen, specialists, scientists, journalists and filmmakers, passengers in transit and those persons arriving in the country under special circumstances.
The importation of:
- Psychotropic substances or hallucinogens.
- Precursor substances.
- Explosives.
- Hemoderivatives.
- Drugs and narcotics.
- Literature, articles and objects that are obscene or pornographic or that offend against the general interests of the nation.
- Products of animal origin (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and all species of ungulates) susceptible to be carriers of diseases.
These measures are included in Resolutions 175 and 176 of the General Customs of the Republic, published in Official Gazette No. 45 Extraordinary of July 28, 2022. (General Customs of the Republic https://www.aduana.gob.cu/ )
The visitor can bring whatever the airline allows in terms of weight and number of suitcases, but Cuba establishes the limit to be exempt from payment of 1 carry-on bag and 1 checked bag per person. If you comply with this regulation, you will be able to immediately pick up your luggage and leave through the “green channel” at the airport. Otherwise, if you have more luggage, marked luggage, or if you are carrying any regulated item then you will have to weigh, go through Customs clearance at the airport and pay the corresponding amount before leaving the airport.
In your carry-on baggage you can carry items such as clothes, personal hygiene products, necessary medicines, electronic devices and important documents. However, it is important to note that liquids must be in containers of no more than 100 ml and must be placed in a transparent bag with a hermetic seal. In addition, no sharp, explosive or flammable objects are allowed in carry-on baggage.
In your checked baggage, you can carry items such as clothing, shoes, toiletries and gifts for friends and family. However, it is important to note that visitors can only import up to 10 kg of food products and fresh food, including fruits, vegetables and meats, are not allowed.
In addition, you are allowed to carry up to 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250 grams of tobacco. You may also import up to 3 liters of alcohol, as long as they are for personal use and not for resale. It is important to note that any excess of these limits may be subject to taxes and customs fines.
The importation of personal electronic devices, such as cameras and cell phones, is accepted. However, it is important to note that restrictions may apply to the importation of certain electronic devices, such as drones and radio frequency equipment.
Nothing you carry in your carry-on or checked baggage should be for commercial purposes. In case you carry a lot of repeated items you may be checked and sanctioned. You can consult the maximum quantities to be imported by type of articles in their own web site (Aduana General de la República https://www.aduana.gob.cu/ ).
Articles classified as food or toiletries, as well as those identified as medicines, which are part of the passenger’s accompanied baggage, must be presented to Customs in separate packages from the rest of the articles.
Toiletries, medicines and foodstuffs may come together in the same package, but not mixed with the rest of the articles and other miscellaneous that may be imported.
If you bring these items in separate suitcases, as established, you can also enjoy the ease of leaving directly through the green channel (nothing to declare) and not go through Customs clearance, as all your products will be exempt from payment.
Medications
Medicines include a group of medical supplies that are not considered medicines, but are necessary for people and have been requested to be allowed to be imported. For example: diagnostic devices for analysis and biosensors, disposable sanitary masks, masks to administer oxygen, scalpel blades and handles, gloves, syringes and adult disposable butts.
Passengers were advised to comply with the regulations established by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba regarding medicines, specifically those whose importation is prohibited by international regulations and those of our country, as they are drugs or others with similar effects. In this regard, they can go to the websites on the Internet of these agencies or through the system of attention to the population in each of them.
When they are mixed with other items that are part of the same, they are valued as a whole and are subject to the payment of customs duties and services. For this reason, Customs recommends that you bring the medicines separately from the rest of your luggage and thus facilitate and expedite the clearance of the items you import, thus reducing the time of your stay at the air terminal and contributing to greater fluidity in our airports.
Toilet
In the Resolutions there is no list of hygiene products to which these measures will apply, because it is not possible to list them due to the great variety that exists, but everything related to personal and household hygiene will enter without quantity limits and without payment of tariffs.
Food
Non-alcoholic beverages shall be considered as food, including beer, and are therefore included.
Rum and other alcoholic beverages are not considered food and may not be entered with this benefit.
Passengers were advised, as from the entry into force of the Resolution, to bear in mind the regulations established by the Ministry of Agriculture (in particular Animal and Plant Health), for foods of animal and vegetable origin with health risks, the importation of which is prohibited by international regulations and those of our country.
In this regard, they can contact the websites of these agencies or through the customer service system of each one of them. https://www.aduana.gob.cu/pagina-basica/disposiciones-fitosanitarias-y-veterinarias https://www.minag.gob.cu/
Import of foreign currency
It is important to note that visitors traveling to Cuba are subject to customs and foreign currency import regulations. Visitors may bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency, but may only exchange up to USD 3,000 or equivalent in another currency in a single transaction. In addition, visitors must declare any amount of cash in excess of USD 5,000 or equivalent in another currency.
Information technology and communications
Customs admits up to 3 items related to telecommunications and network devices including computer equipment accessories or peripherals (mouse, keyboards or others). In the case of computer equipment (complete desktop microcomputer, portable microcomputer (laptop), tablet pc, digital reading device or other similar product) up to 3 units are admitted, regardless of their types, not each one. For flash memories, parts and pieces of computers, mobile and fixed telephony, printers, photocopiers, and other computer and communications equipment, the value-weight alternative is used, and as long as it is established that there is diversity in the products. For cellular or intelligent telephones, up to 5 devices are allowed.
Exports:
While it is important to know what you can and cannot take to Cuba, it is also necessary to know what you can take back home. Obviously you don’t want to end your trip with a bad experience at the point of departure.
- Cultural assets declared part of the National Cultural Heritage.
- The following items and products are not allowed to be exported:
- Manuscript books, incunabula (published between 1440 and 1500).
- Books and pamphlets with library stamps of the National System of Public Libraries and Cuban Organizations and Institutions, as well as Cuban Books of “R” editions.
- Endangered species such as parrots, crocodiles and hawksbills. For their export and import, the corresponding Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permit must be presented to Customs.
In the case of the amount of tobacco and rum to be exported, it is necessary to consult the official Cuban Customs website at the exact time of the trip, as it has tended to vary in recent years.
