Top 10 Mistakes That Get Your Cuba Shipment Delayed
Most packages from Montreal reach Cuba in 7 to 14 days. But a few small mistakes at the booking stage can turn that into weeks of waiting — or worse, a shipment that gets held, taxed, or returned. Here are the 10 most common mistakes we see, and the simple fix for each one.
Every item on this list comes from real shipments we've handled. Avoid these, and your box moves smoothly from your door in Montreal to your family's door in Cuba.
1. Going over the $200 USD / 20 kg courier limit
Cuba's non-commercial courier rule caps each shipment at $200 USD in declared value and 20 kg in weight. Go over either number and customs can reclassify your package as commercial — which means seizure or return.
Fix: Split larger loads into two shipments, or ask us about unaccompanied cargo, which has a higher exempt limit for food, medicine, and hygiene items.
2. Shipping medicine in loose or re-packaged bottles
Finished medicines are exempt from Cuban duties, but only when they arrive in original, sealed, labeled packaging. We've seen families repack pills into pouches or combine bottles to save space — and watched those shipments get held at customs.
Keep every medicine in its pharmacy box with the label intact. Up to 10 kg of medicine is exempt under the ordinary regime.
3. Underestimating the weight
Many people guess the weight of their box using a bathroom scale, or skip weighing altogether. When the real weight shows up at pickup, the quote changes — and sometimes the shipment is delayed while we re-document it.
- Weigh the full packed box, not individual items
- Round up to the next pound to be safe
- Our minimum is around 10 lbs (4.5 kg) standard
4. Trying to send prohibited items
Some items are flat-out banned by Cuban customs no matter what. Satellite phones, GPS units, combustion-engine vehicles, resistance-coil stoves, non-vacuum-sealed fresh meat, and raw dairy will be seized at the border.
Fix: If you're unsure about an item, send a quick WhatsApp to +1 (438) 873-3589 before you pack. A 30-second check saves a week of problems.
5. Forgetting that drones and routers need permits
Drones require an IACC permit. Routers require authorization from MINCOM. Marine motors need their own paperwork too. These aren't banned — they're restricted, which means they need extra documentation before they can clear customs.
Sending one of these without the right permit guarantees a hold at the port of entry.
6. Writing a vague recipient address
"Juan, Havana" is not an address. Door-to-door delivery depends on a precise location — building, street, number, municipality, and province. A missing apartment number or wrong postal zone can add days while the courier tracks down the recipient.
Include a working Cuban phone number for the recipient. That one detail resolves most delivery issues on the ground.
7. Skipping the D'Viajeros digital declaration
Cuba requires a mandatory digital declaration through D'Viajeros (dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu) for all travelers and some shipments — even for exempt goods. People forget this because the goods are duty-free, but the declaration is still required.
For shipments we handle, we take care of the paperwork. For items traveling with a family member, remind them to complete the declaration before boarding.
8. Mixing food and medicine with regular goods in one parcel
Under Resolution 139/2025, food, medicine, hygiene products, and medical supplies get a special duty-free regime — but only if they're packed in a separate, sealed, commercially labeled parcel. Mix them with clothes and electronics, and you lose the exemption on the whole box.
Pack them in their own clearly labeled box. The small extra step unlocks big savings.
9. Booking during a hurricane and expecting normal timing
Caribbean hurricane season runs from June through November. During a named storm, flights get rerouted and ports close. Our standard 7–14 day Cuba window stretches when weather hits.
- Book 2–3 weeks earlier than usual during storm season
- Check WhatsApp for weather updates before major holidays
- For urgent medicine, let us know so we can prioritize the right route
10. Not asking for a quote before packing
The biggest mistake of all: packing the box first, then wondering what it will cost. By then it's harder to adjust the weight, split items, or move things into a special-regime parcel.
A quick WhatsApp with a photo of your items and a rough weight gets you a fixed CAD price in minutes. No surprises, no fuel surcharges, and the recipient pays nothing on arrival.
Avoid these, and your package moves smoothly
Shipping to Cuba from Montreal is simple when you know the rules. The customs regulations are strict, but they're consistent — and we handle the paperwork, the pickup, and the door-to-door delivery for you.
Got a shipment coming up? Message us on WhatsApp at +1 (438) 873-3589 for a fixed-price quote, free pickup across Montreal, Laval, and Brossard, and a delivery confirmation photo once your package arrives. Start your shipment here.