THBCUBAREVIEW 23 



INFORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS 



TO CUBA 



A commercial traveler entering Cuba, witli or without samples, needs no cre- 

 dentials so far as the Government is concerned, but it is highly desirable that he 

 should have some kind of credentials from the individual firm or corporation he 

 represents. These need not necessarily be given or vouched for by any official 

 authority as they would be used only for the purpose of identification and authoriza- 

 tion to transact business. It would be still better if such credentials were authenti- 

 cated by a notary or by a Cuban consular officer. 



No licenses are required, and a commercial traveler after he has entered his 

 samples is not subject to any regulations or restrictions in regard to the duration 

 of his visit or the method of transacting business. There are no charges of any 

 kind imposed on commercial travelers. 



CUSTOMS TREATMENT OF SAMPLES 



Samples of merchandise, the entry of which is not prohibited or restricted by 

 law, may be imported under an invoice certified by Cuban consular officers. It is 

 important that such invoices should list and clearly identify all articles at their 

 market price at the place of exportation. All possible explanation as to prices will 

 be fovmd advisable, for the greatest trouble in customs entries in Cuba arises on 

 account of undex'-valuation. If the articles are second-hand, satisfactory proof of 

 that fact should be furnished in the shipping documents. All samples of dutiable 

 merchandise pay full duty upon entry. 



It is provided, however, that in case of any sample lot of not more than $500 

 in value, upon declaration of the importer that they are samples and Avill be re- 

 exported, 75 per cent, of the duty paid will be refunded after identification of the 

 samples, if the re-exportation occiu's within 90 days from the date of entry. If any 

 portion of the samples has been sold, the 75 per cent, refund will apply to the re- 

 mainder. It is the theory of the tariff law that the 25 per cent, of the full duty 

 retained is to be considered as a just charge for the clerical work involved and for 

 the privilege of doing business without other cost. In order to be entitled to the 

 Refund of duty, samples must be imported as part of baggage, and not as freight, 

 express or mail shipments. 



The customs tariff of Cul)a provides for the free admission of certain samples 

 as follows : 



Samples of felt, wall paper, and fabrics, under the following conditions : 



(a) That they do not exceed -10 centimeters in length, measured in the warp or 

 length of the piece, even when such samples take up the entire width of the piece. 

 The width shall, for fabrics, be determined by the list, and for felts and wall paper 

 by the narrow border which has not passed thi'ough the press. 



(b) Samples not having these indications shall be admitted free of duty only 

 when they do not exceed 40 centimeters in any dimensions. 



(c) In order to avoid abuse, the samples declared for free entry must have cuts 

 20 centimeters apart in their width, so as to render them unfit for any other purpose. 



When samples of fabrics are not presented with cuts 20 centimeters apart, this 

 requirement may be fulfilled at the time of entry, in order that they may be admitted 

 free of duty. 



Samples of hosiery rendered unfit for use by cuts 20 centimeters apart. 



Samples of trimmings in small pieces of no commercial value or possible use 

 otherwise than as samples. 



No other samples than those mentioned above are admitted free of duty, pro- 

 vided that ordinary commercial samples, imported by bona fide commercial travelers 

 in their baggage, after examination and identification by the custom house for re- 



