As reported two weeks ago, Cubans now have the possibility of buying trucks, cars or motorcycles from the United States for Cuba. Hybrid and combustion vehicles may be imported, whether new or used, of different types, and it will be the buyer himself who chooses them directly.
This will be possible after the United States Department of Commerce granted a license to some suppliers from this country that do business with private companies in Cuba so that they could sell vehicles of different characteristics on the island.
As it was told, Catapult Marketplace, directed by Cuban-American Hugo Cancio, is one of those companies authorized to sell cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, trailers, agricultural and construction equipment in Cuba. And below we offer you all the details of the process, we recommend that you carefully read each of the sections in the form of questions and answers.
From this online platform, users can import cars and other vehicles, whether new or used, as long as the year of manufacture is between 2018 and the current 2023.
Specifically, what kind of cars and vehicles can be imported to Cuba from the United States?
Katapulk makes available to Cuban buyers a wide range of vehicles ranging from micro-cars, sub-compact, compact, medium and large cars, sports cars, convertibles, minivans, SUVs to Pick-up Trucks.
What brands of cars can be imported into Cuba from the United States?
Meanwhile, the brands that can be imported into Cuba from the United States are specifically
- MERCEDES BENZ
- FORD
- BMW
- TESLA
- CADILLAC
- CHEVROLET
- NISSAN
- LAND ROVER
- TOYOTA
But, who can import cars in Cuba?
As explained on the Katapulk website itself, all natural persons with permanent residence on the island can buy cars from the United States to Cuba. And secondly, Cuban and foreign legal entities with representation on the island. This includes both state-owned companies and foreign firms, and of course also the different cooperatives, the well-known MiPymes or any other form of management typified today in the island’s economy. In essence, virtually anyone can buy a car from the United States. As long as it complies with the requirements established by the Cuban regulations that have been issued for such purposes.
What sheet metal would the car that is imported into Cuba circulate with?
The veneer will depend on the condition in which the buyer carried out the import process. Examples: Natural Person: P, Mipyme: W, Foreign branches: K, Embassies: C, D, E.
How can I import a car to Cuba from the United States?
From this platform, buyers are given the option to select the specific vehicle they want by visiting any web page dedicated precisely to the sale of cars and other vehicles in Miami or the United States, such as the following:
How much does a car cost to import to Cuba?
As is to be expected, the prices will vary depending on the type, brand, technical characteristics and year of manufacture of the car that you want to import to Cuba. However, here are some examples taken from Cargurus both new and used cars.
Here are some used car prices on this site:
- 2019 Toyota Yaris L Sedan FWD: $3,900
- 2018 Chevrolet Sonic LT Fleet Hatchback FWD: $4,450
- 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T LT AWD: $4,450
- 2019 Chevrolet Traverse LT Cloth FWD: $5,450
- 2021 Chevrolet Trax LT AWD: $5,950
- 2019 Nissan Versa S Plus FWD: $6,499
- 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV: $6,850
- 2022 Chevrolet Spark LS FWD: $6,900
- 2019 Toyota Camry SE FWD: $6,900
- 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL: $6,950
Here are some new car prices on this site:
- New 2023 Nissan Versa S FWD: $16,990
- New 2022 Chevrolet Malibu LS FWD: $19,745
- New 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross L FWD: $25,543
- New 2023 Nissan Sentra S FWD: $19,841
- New 2022 Chevrolet Equinox LT FWD with 1LT: $20,090
- New 2023 Toyota Tacoma Limited Double Cab RWD: $44,326
- New 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS FWD: $20,795
- New 2023 Nissan Kicks S FWD: $21,197
- New 2023 Toyota Corolla LE FWD: $22,795
- New 2023 Ford Escape Active FWD: $26,842
- New 2023 Ford Maverick XLT SuperCrew FWD: $27,160
¿How to buy a car for Cuba from Katapulk?
Both on these sales websites and on others that the buyer locates, they must select the car, motor, truck, etc. you want and point out the features you need or prefer.
Once you have completed the selection you must take a screenshot that includes the public price of the vehicle and the VIN. From this moment you must send Katapulk said photo together with the web link (url) of the chosen site. In addition to all your general data, to start the process of buying the car. However, you should be aware that both the selection and the price of the car may Please note that the availability and price of the car may vary depending on the supplies in the market.
The customer chooses the car he wants to buy
Once the car you want to buy is located, you must schedule an appointment at the Katapulk offices in Havana or Miami to complete the import application. To request your appointment you must do from this link. Make sure you correctly choose the office you will visit, and enter the details of the person who will appear at the appointment.
In the event that you or any relative or relative who is in the United States directly carry out the purchase, you must provide Katapulk with the vehicle purchase information.
From this moment on, the final price of the operation will be reported, in a totally transparent manner by Katapulk. That final price will be established from the actual price of the acquisition plus the commission that Katapulk charges for its management and shipping costs to the island.
From the web it is clarified that some other costs are excluded from this amount:
“The costs associated with the commissions of the Cuban importers that participate in the process, as well as the taxes and duties associated in Cuba, are not included in the price and are borne by the buyer,” Katapulk details.
How long does the delivery of imported cars in the United States to Cuba take?
The estimated delivery time is 30-40 days after invoicing. As long as the client has finished paying the previously agreed amounts.
Can I buy any car for Cuba from the United States?
Specifically, it is clarified that hybrid and combustion vehicles can be purchased, both new and used, as long as the years in which they were manufactured are between 2018 and 2023. Other brands other than Mercedes Benz, Ford, Land cannot be imported. Rover, Tesla, Cadillac, Nissan, Chevrolet, Toyota or BMW. And of the following classifications: “Microcars, Compact and Subcompact Cars, Medium and Large Cars, Medium and Large Luxury Cars, Sports, Convertibles, Compact Minivans and Minivans, SUV Minis, Compacts, Medium and Large, Pickup Trucks ”.
What are the associated costs to carry out the export/import process?
When the negotiations are concluded and the terms of the contract are established between both parties, the buyer will make payments in USD to Katapulk’s bank account.
The total cost may vary depending on the type and quantity of vehicles purchased, the characteristics or the history of purchasing cars in Katapulk of the person or entity that imports, in addition to the place of collection of the vehicle, among other issues.
The final cost and other payments
Basically, the total to be paid will be calculated by adding the purchase price of the car, the Katapulk commission (which will be 15% of the sale value) and the documentation costs. In addition to the insurance and freight associated with the shipment from the port of origin located in the United States to the port of arrival in Cuba.
To this must be added by the buyer the commissions of the Cuban importing companies that participate in the process, and other taxes or tariffs established by Cuban law.
In the case of payments to the Cuban parties, they will be made in MLC and CUP directly to these entities established by law.
All the detailed information about the requirements, customs duties of Cuba, the referential prices and other Cuban regulations on the importation of cars, can be found in the Official Gazette No. 16 Extraordinary of February 22, 2023. It is possible to consult all this information in this link.
What are those Cuban importing companies that participate in the importation?
Address: Calle 5ta B y 6, Edf. Almendares Office 60, Miramar, Playa, Havana, Cuba. Phone: +53 7 2047631
Address: Calle 23 No. 55, 8th floor between P and Infanta, Revolution Square, Havana, Cuba. Phone: +53 7 8320128
Address: Calle 102 No. 6102, e/ 61 y 65 Rpto. Los Quemados, Marianao, Havana, Cuba. Phone: +53 7 2600326
Address: Calle 23 No. 55, between Infanta and P, 6th floor, Vedado, Revolution Square, Havana, Cuba. Phone: +53 7 8380635
Address: Galiano No. 213, e/ Concordia y Virtudes, Centro Habana, Havana, Cuba. Phone: +53 7 8625427
Address: Hill No. 674 Nuevo Vedado, Havana, Cuba.
Address: Intersection of Via Blanca and Via Monumental Berroa, Habana del Este, Havana, Cuba.
In Cuba, where can the car be picked up once the process is completed?
The cars and other vehicles that are purchased in the United States for Cuba will be delivered to the Cuban import entity responsible for the operation in CIP condition Havana, Mariel.
Is there any guarantee that covers damages that may arise during transportation?
Among the expenses related to maritime shipping, an insurance policy is included, which would cover the integrity of the vehicle until delivery to the port of Mariel. The rest of the guarantees will be agreed upon at the time of purchase.
