This Tuesday, the Cuban government unveiled a comprehensive set of policies governing the purchase, sale, import, assembly, and ownership transfer of vehicles. These new measures encompass foreign currency transactions, non-commercial imports, and fresh guidelines for private individuals, businesses, and foreign residents within Cuba.
The regulations, detailed in the Official Gazette released on the same day, include Decree 163/2026 issued by the Council of Ministers, along with several supplementary resolutions from the Ministries of Transportation, Domestic Trade, Foreign Trade, and Finance and Prices.
Decree 163 specifies that Cuban nationals and foreign residents with permanent, temporary, real estate, provisional, or humanitarian status are permitted to purchase new or pre-owned vehicles from authorized dealers.
These transactions are to be conducted in U.S. dollars or their equivalent in other convertible currencies, utilizing payment methods sanctioned by the Central Bank of Cuba, such as international credit cards and national prepaid cards.
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Understanding Cuba's New Vehicle Regulations
Who can purchase vehicles under the new Cuban regulations?
Cuban nationals and foreign residents with certain statuses, such as permanent, temporary, real estate, provisional, or humanitarian, are eligible to purchase vehicles.
What currencies are accepted for vehicle transactions in Cuba?
Transactions can be made in U.S. dollars or equivalent in other convertible currencies using approved payment methods like international credit cards and national prepaid cards.