CUBA
Reported in 2022
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Reported restriction on payment methods
It is reported that the terms of services of Tuenvio.cu state that payments can be made only through Tranfermóvil and Enzona, two phone applications that can be associated with cards issued by the Central Bank of Cuba, Banco Metropolitano, Banco de Crédito and Commerce and the Popular Savings Bank.
Coverage Online payments
CUBA
Reported in 2024, last reported in 2026
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Reported restrictions on payment methods
It is reported that PayPal, as well as debit or credit cards issued by banks in the United States or their subsidiaries, are not accepted in Cuba.
Coverage Electronic payment
CUBA
Since August 2022
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Ministry of Finance and Prices Resolution No. 204/2022
Ministry of Finance and Prices Resolution No. 204/2022 exempts non-commercial air, maritime, postal, and courier consignments received by natural persons in Cuba from customs duties on the first USD 30 of their value, or the equivalent weight of up to 3 kg under the customs value-to-weight method. Goods exceeding this threshold are subject to a 30% customs-duty rate.
Coverage Horizontal
CUBA
Reported in 2014, last reported in 2025
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on domain names
High registration costs for domain names
The cost of registering domain names is three times higher than the average for the Americas region, costing approximately USD 950, which is a potential restriction to engaging in digital trade.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20140319141102/http://web-solutions.eu/domain-registration-north-america.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250304084632/https://web-solutions.eu/domain-registration-north-america.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231031062349/https://www.cubatramite.com/compras-en-tuenvio-cu/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230921162759/https://www.entorno.es/dominios/cu
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CUBA
Since April 2018
Since March 2020, entry into force in April 2020
Since March 2020, entry into force in April 2020
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Resolution No. 54/2018 (GOC‑2018‑267‑EX26) - Guidelines for the Organisation and Implementation of Consumer Protection within the Domestic Trade System (Resolución No. 54/2018 (GOC-2018-267-EX26) - Indicaciones para la Organización y Ejecución de la Protección al Consumidor en el Sistema de Comercio Interno)
Resolution No. 42/2020 (GOC‑2020‑217‑EX13) - Regulations for the Implementation of Electronic Commerce through Virtual Stores (Resolución No. 42/2020 (GOC-2020-217-EX13) - Regulaciones Para la Implementación del Comercio Electrónico a Través de Tiendas Virtuales)
Resolution No. 42/2020 (GOC‑2020‑217‑EX13) - Regulations for the Implementation of Electronic Commerce through Virtual Stores (Resolución No. 42/2020 (GOC-2020-217-EX13) - Regulaciones Para la Implementación del Comercio Electrónico a Través de Tiendas Virtuales)
Resolution No. 54/2018 and Resolution No. 42/2020 provide a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions. Resolution No. 54/2018 sets out the principles that govern consumer protection in Section 5, the rights afforded to consumers in Section 6, and the general obligations imposed upon suppliers of goods and services in Section 10. Section 3 further states that the protection granted to consumers who engage in electronic commerce is equivalent to the protection offered in other forms of commercial activity. Additionally, Art. 1 of Resolution No. 42/2020 provides that its purpose is to establish provisions relating to electronic commerce, including those concerning consumer rights. Chapter IV is expressly dedicated to the rights of consumers and the obligations of suppliers.
Coverage Horizontal
CUBA
Since July 2022, entry into force in August 2022
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Resolution No. 175/2022 (GOC-2022-752-EX45) (Resolución No. 175/2022 (GOC-2022-752-EX45))
Chapter 5 of Annex II to Resolution No. 175/2022 stipulates that the Cuban Customs Authority authorises the importation of information and communications technology equipment in specific quantities, permitting up to three computing devices of any type, including a complete desktop microcomputer, a laptop, a tablet PC, an e‑reader or any similar item; up to five mobile telephones, whether basic or smart models; and up to three telecommunications‑related items or network devices, including accessories or peripherals for computing equipment such as mice, keyboards or other comparable components.
Coverage Information and communications technology equipment
CUBA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Cuba has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
CUBA
Since July 2022, entry into force in August 2022
Since October 2015
Since October 2015
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Resolution No. 175/2022 (GOC-2022-752-EX45) (Resolución No. 175/2022 (GOC-2022-752-EX45))
Resolution No. 272/2015 (GOC-2016-97-O7) (Resolución No. 272/2015 (GOC-2016-97-O7))
Resolution No. 272/2015 (GOC-2016-97-O7) (Resolución No. 272/2015 (GOC-2016-97-O7))
Chapter 5 of Annex II to Resolution No. 175/2022 and Section 2 of Resolution No. 272/2015 stipulate that, when imported by legal entities, the following categories of communications equipment require prior authorisation from the Cuban Ministry of Communications (MINCOM): wireless fax machines; wireless microphones and their accessories; data‑network devices such as routers, switches, and similar equipment; radio transmitters and transceivers of any type and service, including fixed, mobile, and personal stations (for example, walkie‑talkies and satellite telephones), together with their components and power amplifiers; wireless telephones operating in frequency bands not authorised by MINCOM; telephone switchboards of all types; wireless access points such as RLAN devices and comparable equipment, except for Wi‑Fi equipment, which is governed by its own specific regulatory framework; professional radio receivers distinct from domestic radio and television sets; satellite earth stations and transmitting and receiving satellite‑communications terminals, including satellite‑television receiving stations, parabolic antennas, their accessories, and portable or other satellite telephones; and equipment intended for the mass transmission of data, text, or voice by wireless means.
Coverage Communications equipment
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240803050614/https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.cu/sites/default/files/goc-2022-ex45_0.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240225002758/https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.cu/sites/default/files/goc-2016-o7.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260217203854/https://cubatramite.com/importacion-de-equipos-de-informatica-y-comunicaciones-a-cuba/
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CUBA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Cuba has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
CUBA
Reported in 2015, last reported in 2025
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Complaints on customs procedures
It is reported that recipients and users of international parcel and courier services in Cuba have faced recurring delays, disorganisation and limited traceability in the processing and delivery of imported shipments. Earlier reports recorded complaints concerning customs procedures, alleged mistreatment and errors or non-compliance by customs inspectors. Subsequent reporting identified delays of several months, human errors and procedural violations during the processing of international shipments by Correos de Cuba and the Customs Authority. As all international parcels are subject to customs processing, shipments cannot enter the domestic tracking and distribution system until they are released by Customs. Although processing times subsequently improved, significant delays were again reported in 2025, with international shipments taking more than 60 days on average to be delivered. These horizontal procedural and logistics problems are particularly relevant to cross-border e-commerce and courier shipments.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://www.granma.cu/cuba/2025-07-07/correos-de-cuba-enfrenta-retrasos-criticos-en-entrega-de-motos-y-envios-internacionales-07-07-2025-13-07-19
- https://www.granma.cu/cuba/2022-01-14/que-la-calidad-del-servicio-no-sea-el-talon-de-aquiles-de-correos-14-01-2022-00-01-41
- https://www.granma.cu/cuba/2021-05-13/servicio-de-paqueteria-en-cuba-que-sean-mas-las-soluciones-que-los-problemas-13-05-2021-02-05-42
- https://www.granma.cu/cuba/2015-07-13/proteger-al-pais-de-todo-lo-que-pueda-ser-nocivo
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CUBA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Cuba has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
CUBA
Since October 2024
Since February 2023
Since February 2023
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Resolution No. 166/2024
Resolution No. 38/2023
Resolution No. 38/2023
Under Arts. 1.1, 2, 6 and 8–10 and the Annex to Resolution No. 166/2024, non-state economic operators must export goods and services through designated authorised exporting entities. The operator submits the export request to an authorised intermediary, which approves the foreign customer, prepares the offer, concludes the transaction, and agrees the export price.
For merchandise exports, Arts. 1–3, 9–17 and 25–29 of Resolution No. 38/2023 provide that exporting entities must be registered in the National Registry of Exporters and Importers and hold the relevant foreign-trade powers and an approved export nomenclature. Under Resolution No. 38/2023, those powers are granted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX) to state enterprises and wholly Cuban-owned commercial companies. Goods falling outside an entity’s approved nomenclature may be exported only under a prior occasional export permit. Non-state operators, therefore, cannot export directly and must rely on a designated intermediary that also holds the necessary registration, foreign-trade powers and product coverage.
For merchandise exports, Arts. 1–3, 9–17 and 25–29 of Resolution No. 38/2023 provide that exporting entities must be registered in the National Registry of Exporters and Importers and hold the relevant foreign-trade powers and an approved export nomenclature. Under Resolution No. 38/2023, those powers are granted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX) to state enterprises and wholly Cuban-owned commercial companies. Goods falling outside an entity’s approved nomenclature may be exported only under a prior occasional export permit. Non-state operators, therefore, cannot export directly and must rely on a designated intermediary that also holds the necessary registration, foreign-trade powers and product coverage.
Coverage Horizontal
CUBA
N/A
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Lack of self-declaration of conformity
According to the Ministry of Communications, a process is implemented that requires a homologation certificate issued after control in testing laboratories in Cuba for ICT goods. Although there is no legal framework establishing the procedures for testing, control and certification of these goods, the Ministry requires companies to pass certain tests to obtain a homologation certificate for each product or service of telecommunication and computer equipment. There are two accredited laboratories in Cuba. The first one performs tropicalisation tests. The second one handles the testing of equipment connected to telecommunications networks that use the spectrum. Through this certification process, the Ministry of Communications regulates and controls the technical and operating specifications of the systems, equipment, and devices to be used in telecommunications and computer networks in order to guarantee the interconnection between public networks, as well as the interoperability of services.
Coverage Telecommunication and computer equipment
CUBA
Since November 2008
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Restrictions on encryption standards
Resolution No. 179/08 Regulation for Internet Access Service Providers to the Public (Resolución No. 179/08 Reglamento para los Proveedores de Servicios de Acceso a Internet al público)
Art. 19 (e) of Resolution No. 179/08 requires that Internet access service providers must ensure that software with cryptographic systems or encrypted file transfer is not used.
Coverage Internet access providers
CUBA
Since May 2019
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Restrictions on encryption standards
Resolution No. 99/2019 (GOC‑2019‑491‑O39): Regulations Governing Private Data Networks (Resolución No. 99/2019 (GOC-2019-491-O39): Reglamento para las redes privadas de datos)
Art. 21.8 of Resolution No. 99/2019 stipulates that applicants for an operating licence for private data networks must provide information concerning the cryptographic protocols and algorithms used to protect communications, which must have been authorised by the competent authority. Art. 27.l further requires holders to obtain approval for the use of any supported application or service that employs cryptographic methods for protecting transmitted information, with holder referring to the person authorised by the Ministry of Communications to provide private data transmission services through a private telecommunications network. Art. 2 defines a private data network as a telecommunications network whose infrastructure is installed within a single locality or across multiple geographically distinct localities interconnected by telecommunications links for the purpose of meeting the data service needs of its holder.
Coverage Private data networks
