10 Things to Never Ship to Cuba (Save Yourself the Loss)

You packed the box with love. Then it got stopped at customs, seized, and never reached your mom in Havana. That story plays out every week in Montreal, and almost always it comes down to one item that should have stayed behind. Here are the 10 things you should never ship to Cuba — with clear alternatives so your package actually arrives.

Why Cuba's Prohibited List Matters More Than You Think

Cuban customs doesn't just charge a fee on forbidden items. They seize them. Sometimes they return the whole shipment. Sometimes they hold it for weeks while paperwork gets sorted out.

That's a real financial and emotional loss for your family. The rules come from Decree-Law 22/2020 and a stack of complementary resolutions, and they get updated often. What was fine last year may be blocked this year.

Rule of thumb: if you're unsure, message us on WhatsApp before you pack. A two-minute chat can save you a $300 loss.

1. Satellite Phones and GPS Devices

These are flat-out prohibited for personal import into Cuba. Doesn't matter if it's a gift, doesn't matter if it's brand new in the box. Customs will seize it.

Send instead: A regular smartphone. You can ship up to 5 phones per shipment (each valued around $80 USD for customs), and they clear without issue.

2. Drones Without an IACC Permit

Drones aren't outright banned, but they require a special permit from the Cuban Civil Aviation Institute (IACC) before they can enter. Without that paperwork in hand, the drone stays at the border.

Send instead: If your family truly needs a drone (for a small business, for example), start the IACC permit process first. Then ship. Not the other way around.

3. Wi-Fi Routers Without MINCOM Authorization

Routers and other telecom equipment need clearance from MINCOM, Cuba's Ministry of Communications. A router bought at Best Buy on a Saturday afternoon is not going to clear customs on its own.

Send instead: Skip the router. Send a mobile hotspot-capable phone or focus the shipment on other electronics.

4. Combustion-Engine Vehicles and Parts

Personal imports of gasoline or diesel vehicles are prohibited. Certain vehicle parts are also restricted or require permits.

Send instead: Small consumables — spark plugs, filters, belts — are often fine in modest quantities. Ask us first for the current list.

5. Resistance-Coil Electric Stoves

These old-style hotplates were banned to reduce electrical grid strain. They get seized on arrival.

Send instead: Induction cooktops (up to 1,500 W, valued at $50 USD each, max 2 per shipment) are permitted and much more energy-efficient. They're actually a perfect gift given Cuba's ongoing power situation.

6. Fresh Meat That Isn't Vacuum-Sealed

Raw meat can be sent, but only if it's commercially vacuum-sealed with a proper label. Freezer bags from your kitchen don't count. Neither does butcher paper.

Send instead: Vacuum-sealed cured meats, canned proteins, or shelf-stable food products. These qualify for the special food regime and can even be duty-free up to 20 kg via courier.

7. Raw or Unpasteurized Dairy

Same principle as fresh meat. Raw milk, artisanal fresh cheeses without commercial labeling, and homemade dairy products are blocked at the border for health reasons.

Send instead: Powdered milk, UHT (long-life) milk in sealed cartons, and commercially packaged hard cheeses all pass through customs cleanly.

8. Loose Medicines Without Original Packaging

Medicine is one of our specialties — we're the only service in Montreal legally authorized to ship medicines to Cuba, with over 200 successful medicine shipments completed. But there's a strict rule: every medicine must arrive in its original, sealed, labeled packaging.

Loose pills in a Ziploc bag? Rejected. Pills poured into a vitamin bottle to save space? Rejected.

Send instead: Keep medicines in the original box or blister pack with the pharmacy label visible. Under the ordinary regime, up to 10 kg of medicines is exempt from duties.

9. Marine Motors Without Proper Permits

Outboard motors and marine engines are restricted and require special authorization. Don't assume that because your cousin fishes for a living, it'll be waved through. It won't.

Send instead: Fishing gear, tackle, nets, and small tools ship without issue and make a real difference for a small coastal business.

10. Anything That Pushes You Over the $200 USD / 20 kg Courier Cap

This isn't a specific item — it's the sneakiest trap on the list. Cuba treats any courier shipment over $200 USD in declared value OR 20 kg in weight as commercial cargo. Commercial cargo triggers a completely different (and much harsher) process, and personal shipments over the limit often get seized or returned.

The exception: food, medicine, hygiene products, and medical supplies under Resolution 139/2025 have their own duty-free regime — up to 20 kg / $200 USD via courier for these categories, with special rules for larger cargo.

Send instead: Split large orders into multiple shipments, or use our Buy-and-Ship service to consolidate smart. We'll help you structure the package so nothing crosses a limit that costs you money.

What to Do Before You Pack

Every rule above comes from current Cuban regulations, but customs decisions can change with a new resolution. Before you seal the box:

• Send us a photo of what you're planning to ship
• Ask about weight, value, and category limits for your specific destination
• Get a fixed CAD quote — the price you see is the price you pay, with customs, insurance, and door-to-door delivery already included

We reply on WhatsApp in under 10 minutes, seven days a week, in Spanish, French, or English. It's the difference between a package that reaches your family in 7 to 14 days with a delivery photo — and one that never arrives at all.

Ship With Confidence, Not Guesswork

Every shipment we handle from Montreal to Cuba includes free home pickup in Montreal, Laval, and Brossard, complete customs paperwork, basic insurance, and a delivery confirmation photo. Starting from $7 CAD, with no surprise fees for you or the person receiving the package.

Have a specific item in mind? Message us on WhatsApp before you pack. We'll tell you honestly whether it'll clear customs — and if not, what to send instead.