Further Tightening the Screw

Further Tightening the Screw
June 13, 2012
Warhol P

HAVANA TIMES — A few days ago I got the information* through my e-mail
about a new tax being imposed on travelers who bring in food products
into the country in their luggage. Such nourishment is NOT in commercial
quantities, but is to help feed their families.

This tax was levied prior to 2008, but because of the impact of three
powerful hurricanes that year, its collection was suspended. Now,
however, that same tax is being reinstated.

I wonder why, after four years have elapsed, it's now necessary to
restore and enforce this tax on food, bearing in mind that although we
haven't been hit by any major hurricane recently, the current situation
in Cuba with respect to food is extremely difficult.

I would like to know why they are tightening the screws on Cubans,
whether the traveler is a resident on the island or abroad.

I am expressing my objection but I should explain that I have never
benefited from this law because I don't get food from anywhere in the world.

I'm speaking on behalf of thousands of Cubans who do have family members
who come to the island with food and who in some way help soothe the
difficult situation that we all know exists.

Now, suddenly, they have to start paying for bringing these so-called
miscellaneous items.

Our current president has said we do need to end some of the existing
subsidies and gratuities provided by the government. So I guess this is
one of them, which came to us thanks to a couple of little storms.

But now, abruptly — after not having had bad weather for a long time,
and apparently with Cubans having food readily at hand — it's all over,
the government has to eliminate the exemption.

Speaking of freebies, and to conclude, I ask what would happen if
suddenly hundreds of Cubans who donate blood for free decided not to do
that anymore?

(*) INFORMATIONAL NOTICE OF THE GENERAL CUSTOMS OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC

Since 2008, as a consequence of damage and losses brought about by
hurricanes that hit our country, and their economic and social impacts,
temporary and exceptional allowances were allowed for Cuban travelers
(residents of the island or not) to import food, with these items being
made exempt from the payment of established customs duties (tariffs), an
exemption that has been maintained to date.

Given that soon we will be marking four years of the application of that
measure, it is necessary to restore, beginning June 18, 2012, the
payment of customs duties on food imports by travelers, according to the
regulation in Executive Order No. 22 of April 16, 1979 in the "Customs
Duties of the Republic of Cuba for Non-commercial Imports."

Similarly, in order to maintain organizational agility and efficiency,
as well as to ensure the proper treatment of travelers during the
exercise of customs operations, it is important to note that Resolution
No. 11 of 2007 of the General Customs of the Republic in its regulation
5, subsection "c," concerning miscellaneous items, provides an exemption
of 10 kg of medicines provided these are separated from all other
luggage items.

The General Customs of the Republic shall keep passengers informed about
any specific directive issued in relation to food imports.