The Council of Ministers of the Cuban regime approved a proposal for the foundation and the preliminary draft of the Customs Decree-Law this weekend, and its subsequent presentation to the Council of State, the objective of this legislation would be to organize the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), as well as its operation, enjoyment and control of the customs regimes, specified the head of this entity, Nelson Cordovés Reyes through a post on his social networks, later disclosed by the Cuban Government in X.
This Decree-Law also proposes the "customs clearance" of goods and the means that transport them, as well as shipments, passengers, and luggage.
The new provision will also promote compliance with regulations affecting Customs operations in the border area.
According to the regime, "the text is aligned with constitutional principles and current legislation, especially in relation to administrative, tax, financial, and foreign trade matters."
Criticism was swift on social media. Many users questioned the drafting of a new law that, in their view, will only bring more restrictions for the population.
"Every decree-law passed by Cuban Customs is yet another sanction for the people. Cuban Customs is directly responsible for the blockade against the Cuban people, taking powers it grants itself without any regulation or oversight by state bodies," said cyberuser Maugrys Castillo.
"How can you circumvent the supposed imperialist blockade if you increasingly restrict imports to a country that doesn't even produce a single hair tie!" questioned someone identified as Yusnier Ricardo Leyva.
"If food and industrial goods were produced the way laws are produced, we would be doing great now!" another user, Gisela Isis Rojas Lemus, noted.
In early 2025, the Cuban dictatorship reformed Decree-Law 22 of 2020 through Decree-Law 101, published in the Official Gazette, introducing significant changes to the rules for non-commercial imports, that is, those made by individuals or legal entities for personal consumption or specific use. The reform imposed, among other measures, the payment of tariffs in dollars on certain items brought in by travelers.
