Top 8 Items Montreal Families Ship to Cuba (And What They Cost)

After 500+ shipments out of Montreal, we've noticed the same items filling boxes headed to Havana, Santiago, and everywhere in between. If you're planning your first shipment to family in Cuba, here's what people actually send — and what you should know before you pack.

Every item on this list is legal to send through EasyCargo Express. But Cuban customs has real rules on weight, value, and quantity, so we've included the honest details for each one. Prices start from $7 CAD to Cuba, and the quote you get is the final price — the recipient pays nothing.

1. Medicines and vitamins

This is the number one reason families call us. We've completed 200+ successful medicine shipments to Cuba — and we're the only service in Montreal legally authorized to do it. DHL, FedEx, and UPS refuse.

• Must arrive in original, sealed, labeled packaging
• Up to 10 kg of finished medicines are exempt from duty under Cuba's ordinary regime
• Under the special food/medicine regime, courier shipments are exempt up to 20 kg / $200 USD

Pro tip: pack medicines in a separate, sealed, commercially labeled parcel from the rest of the shipment. That's what unlocks the duty-free treatment.

2. Children's and adult clothing

Fresh clothes for kids, work clothes for adults, and shoes are constants. A typical family shipment includes 8–15 pieces of clothing plus a pair or two of shoes.

Cuban customs values miscellaneous goods at roughly $10 USD per kilogram. So a 10 kg clothing box is valued around $100 USD for customs — safely under the $200 USD non-commercial courier cap.

3. Toiletries and hygiene products

Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products, and diapers all travel well. Under Cuba's special regime (Res. 139/2025), hygiene products qualify for the same duty-free treatment as food and medicine when sent in a separate labeled parcel.

• Stick to sealed, unopened items
• Avoid pressurized aerosols where possible
• Bundle liquids in a plastic bag inside the box

4. Non-perishable food

Coffee, cooking oil, powdered milk, rice, pasta, canned goods, sugar, and spices. Food falls under the same special exempt regime as medicine and hygiene — up to 20 kg / $200 USD duty-free by courier, or 50 kg / $500 USD by unaccompanied cargo.

Never send fresh meat that isn't vacuum-sealed, or raw dairy. Both are prohibited and will be seized at customs.

5. Smartphones and small electronics

A used or new phone for a parent or sibling is one of the most impactful gifts you can send. Cuban customs allows:

• Up to 5 smartphones per shipment, valued at $80 USD each for customs
• Up to 3 tablets or e-readers, valued at $100 USD each
• Up to 3 laptops, valued at $250 USD each

Heads up: quantities above these limits get flagged as commercial. And routers need a MINCOM permit — skip those unless you've cleared it in advance.

6. Home appliances and kitchen essentials

Blenders, small kitchen appliances, LED bulbs, cookware, and tools show up constantly. If you're sending something bigger like a microwave (≤2000 W, valued at $50 USD, max 2) or an induction cooktop (≤1500 W, $50 USD, max 2), we'll walk you through the packing and paperwork.

Never send resistance-coil stoves or combustion engines — both are on Cuba's prohibited list.

7. Gifts, toys, and school supplies

Birthdays, Three Kings' Day, back-to-school — the gift box is a Montreal-to-Cuba tradition. Popular picks:

1. Kids' toys and books (Spanish-language especially appreciated)
2. Notebooks, pens, backpacks, calculators
3. Sports gear like soccer balls, cleats, and jerseys
4. Beauty products from Sephora or drugstores

Book your shipment at least 3 weeks before a birthday or holiday. Delivery to Cuba takes 7–14 days, and December fills up fast.

8. Solar and photovoltaic equipment (new in 2026)

This one's brand new. Under Cuba's Res. 41/2026 (effective February 2026), complete photovoltaic systems are now duty-free when presented together for non-commercial use:

• Solar panels
• Inverters and charge controllers
• Lithium or gel batteries
• Mounting structures, transformers, grounding hardware

Given Cuba's ongoing energy situation, this has quickly become one of the most requested categories for families sending help home.

What to do before you pack your box

A few habits will save you money and stress:

• Stay under the $200 USD / 20 kg non-commercial courier cap per shipment — split into two boxes if you're close to the limit
• Keep medicine, food, and hygiene items in a separate, sealed parcel to qualify for the exempt regime
• Photograph the contents before sealing — helpful if you ever need to file an insurance claim
• Ask us for a live quote on WhatsApp — customs rules shift by resolution, and we track them daily

Ready to send your box?

Every shipment includes free home pickup in Montreal and Laval, a fixed CAD price with no surprise duties, basic insurance, 24/7 WhatsApp tracking, and a delivery confirmation photo so you can see the exact moment your family opens the door.

Message us on WhatsApp at +1 (438) 873-3589 or start your shipment here. We'll answer in Spanish, French, or English — usually within 10 minutes, 7 days a week.