Promote:
Export from Cuba
A short guide for companies selling from Cuba: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Cuba sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$1.45 billion
Merchandise exports, as the imports of partner countries from Cuba, were US$1,449,320,316.78 in 2025.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Cuba by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exports
US$7.77 billion
Services exports were US$7,768.4 million in 2024.
Source: UNCTADstat, Cuba services exports by category, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Cigars (HS 2402)US$577.9 million
- 2. Zinc ore (HS 2608)US$92.4 million
- 3. Spirits and liqueurs (HS 2208)US$89.9 million
- 4. Nickel mattes and nickel intermediates (HS 7501)US$68.2 million
- 5. Wood charcoal (HS 4402)US$44.5 million
- 6. Precious metal ore (HS 2616)US$35.8 million
- 7. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$28.1 million
- 8. Paintings and drawings (HS 9701)US$27.7 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Crustaceans (HS 0306)US$23.3 million
- 10. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$13 million
- 11. Crude oil (HS 2709)US$11.2 million
- 12. Vaccines and blood products (HS 3002)US$9.48 million
- 13. Natural honey (HS 0409)US$9.37 million
- 14. Unwrought nickel (HS 7502)US$8.26 million
- 15. Live fish (HS 0301)US$6.95 million
- 16. Lead ore (HS 2607)US$6.03 million
- 17. Unmanufactured tobacco (HS 2401)US$5.61 million
- 18. Coffee (HS 0901)US$5.55 million
- 19. Medicines (HS 3004)US$5.12 million
- 20. Iron and steel scrap (HS 7204)US$4.22 million
- Reported by the buying countries as imports, valued by each importing country (CIF or FOB, as each reports it), not at export. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Commodities not specified by kind (HS 9999) are 23.9 percent of 2025 exports; they are in the total but not ranked, and Canada reports nearly all of them. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Cigars (HS 2402) are 39.9 percent of 2025 exports, so the ranking and destinations follow one product. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Venezuela, Russia and Vietnam are not among the reporting buyers for 2024 or 2025, so any purchases they made from Cuba are not in these figures. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Fish headings 0303 and 0304 (US$229,801 in 2025) are left out of the ranking. Source (opens in a new tab)
- No prior-year change is shown: 129 partners reported for 2024 against 105 for 2025, so the two years do not cover the same buyers. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Four suggested goods (honey, coffee beans, cocoa beans, charcoal) are restricted exports that need a one-off ministry permit. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Cuba by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- Canada24.9%
- China15.8%
- Macao10.3%
- Spain8.6%
- Germany5.1%
- Hong Kong3.8%
- Switzerland3.4%
- Cyprus3.2%
- Destinations are reported by the buying countries as imports, valued by each importing country (CIF or FOB, as each reports it), for 2025; Cuba's own report ends in 2022. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Cuba by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks spirits and liqueurs, wood charcoal and paintings and drawings as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Cuba’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Cuba by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) partial-scope agreements
Cuban goods may enter other member countries under the preferences each bilateral agreement grants.
Preferences depend on each agreement's tariff schedule and origin rules; confirm both with the Chamber of Commerce.
Source: ALADI, Cuba member page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
CARICOM–Cuba Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement
Cuban goods may get preferential duties in CARICOM members that apply the agreement.
The agreement is a partial-scope pact on goods, and the less developed CARICOM members need not give Cuba preferential duties.
Source: Jamaica Customs Agency, CARICOM-Cuba agreement page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Cuba
- Enter the national register of exporters and importers of goods and services.Cámara de Comercio de la República de CubaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Cuban Chamber of Commerce, legal services and origin (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Apply for foreign trade powers and a product list through the foreign trade ministry's VUCE single window.Ministerio del Comercio Exterior y la Inversión ExtranjeraDecision within 15 working days of the request (Resolution 126/2026, Article 6).Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Official Gazette No. 73, September 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 3, 2026
- Check the product against the annex of Resolution 126/2026: prohibited goods cannot be exported, and restricted goods need a one-off permit through the VUCE.Ministerio del Comercio Exterior y la Inversión ExtranjeraOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Official Gazette No. 73, September 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 3, 2026
- Check Cuban standards and technical rules for the product with the national standards body.Oficina Nacional de NormalizaciónOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ePing, Cuba TBT enquiry points (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 4 more export steps
- For plants and plant products, request a phytosanitary permit from the Plant Health Directorate.Ministerio de la Agricultura, Dirección de Sanidad VegetalOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Plant Health Directorate, phytosanitary permit request form (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Request a certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce for goods that claim a preference.Cámara de Comercio de la República de CubaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Cuban Chamber of Commerce, legal services and origin (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- File the customs declaration and request permits and payments through the VUCE single window.Aduana General de la RepúblicaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ProCuba, how to do business with Cuba (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Receive export earnings in a foreign currency account; without an approved retention ratio, 80 percent stays in currency and 20 percent is credited in pesos.Ministerio de Economía y PlanificaciónOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Official Gazette No. 76, currency rules, September 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 10, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with ProCuba and Aduana. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
Trade and investment promotion center
ProCuba
Centro para la Promoción del Comercio Exterior y la Inversión Extranjera
Publishes the exportable supply and trade directory, and advises companies on foreign trade and foreign investment in Cuba.
Visit ProCuba (opens in a new tab)Source: ProCuba, services (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Regional trade integration association
ALADI
Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración
Multilateral body
Promotes regional integration, and its site covers members' tariff preferences, digital certificates of origin and trade facilitation.
Visit ALADI (opens in a new tab)Source: ALADI, Cuba member page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Aduana
Aduana General de la República
Handles customs declarations and the inspection of goods at the border.
Visit Aduana (opens in a new tab)Source: ProCuba, how to do business with Cuba (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
National tax administration office
ONAT
Oficina Nacional de Administración Tributaria
Keeps the taxpayer register and handles tax registration for companies and individuals.
Visit ONAT (opens in a new tab)Source: Finance ministry, page on the tax administration office (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Agriculture and plant health ministry
MINAG
Ministerio de la Agricultura
Its Plant Health Directorate issues the phytosanitary permit needed for plant exports.
Visit MINAG (opens in a new tab)Source: Plant Health Directorate, phytosanitary permit request form (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
National standards body
ONN
Oficina Nacional de Normalización
Is Cuba's TBT enquiry point for standards and conformity assessment procedures.
Visit ONN (opens in a new tab)Source: ePing, Cuba TBT enquiry points (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BCC
Banco Central de Cuba
Sets official exchange rates and sells foreign currency to non-state companies.
Visit BCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Central bank, currency sales, January 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of January 18, 2026
Tourism ministry
MINTUR
Ministerio de Turismo
Approves hotel management contracts between foreign companies and Cuban partners.
Visit MINTUR (opens in a new tab)Source: ProCuba, investor guide to Cuba, 2021 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
Cámara de Comercio
Cámara de Comercio de la República de Cuba
Keeps the exporters register, issues certificates of origin and runs a single window for foreign companies.
6. Worth knowing
Sanctions exposure
Treasury added the Cuba Sanctions Regulations on September 30, 2026, implementing a May 2026 order that can block foreign persons operating in sectors such as energy, mining and financial services.
What to do: Screen every Cuban counterparty and owner against OFAC lists before you sign.
Sources: Federal Register, OFAC Cuba Sanctions Regulations, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); Federal Register, Executive Order 14404 on Cuba, May 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Currency and settlement
The central bank sells foreign currency to non-state companies once a month, at the Segment III rate, up to a ceiling set by a formula.
What to do: Confirm which exchange segment and which bank channel your buyer's payment will use.
Source: Central bank, currency sales, January 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Inflation and prices
An article on the economy ministry's site, citing statistics office data, puts twelve-month inflation at 28.4 percent in September 2026, up from 12.5 percent in January.
What to do: Add price and currency review clauses to contracts that run beyond one quarter.
Source: Economy ministry site, inflation article, October 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Electricity and fuel
The British foreign ministry advises against all but essential travel to Cuba and cites shortages of fuel, electricity and water that disrupt services.
What to do: Allow extra time for visits and shipments, and confirm access with your Cuban partner.
Source: FCDO, travel advice for Cuba, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more
Direct trade by private companies
Decree-Law 133, published September 2, 2026, lets private companies import and export directly, and Resolution 126/2026 sets how they get foreign trade powers.
What to do: Apply for foreign trade powers through the VUCE before you sign an export contract.
Sources: Economy ministry site, Decree-Law 133 article, September 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab); Official Gazette No. 73, September 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Cuba project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Cuba is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.