26 THE CUBA REVIEW. 



CUBAN CUSTOMS REGULATIONS. 



American Exporters Should Cultivate the Cuban Market — Trade Requirements and 

 Customs Laws — Amendments of Regulations and Special Changes. 



BY PAUL COOKj 



Assistant Adviser to the Treasury Department of Cuba. 



American exporters would do well to cultivate the Cuban market and push their 

 trade in that part of the world, for Cuba is not only a near neighbor, but a very good 

 customer of Uncle Sam. About 50 per cent, of the importations into Cuba come from 

 the United States, representing a value of approximiately fifty millions yearly. 



Those doing or desiring to do business with Cuba sihould ascertain trade require- 

 ments and custom laws. 



All customs laws are vexatious, but it will not do to say, as the writer once heard a 

 representative of one of the large corporations of the United States remark, "If other 

 countries 'do not like my firm's way of doing business they can go hang!'' His indiffer- 

 ence cost his customer $900 in unnecessary charges. 



It is this attitude, unfortunately too prevalent, that has hindered the development 

 of our foreign commerce. German, English or French exporters make it a point to 

 know and comply with foreign trade requirements and laws, and we must be equally 

 observant. 



It is of little advantage to the Cuban merchant if the American price is the lowest, 

 if he has delay and trouble in getting his American goods through tibe customs, and 

 has to pay charges for storage, demurrage, etc., owing to the failure to forward proper 

 invoices or bills of lading. A little investigation on the part of our exporters would save 

 many delays and charges in the Cuban Custom Houses. 



If the Cuban customs regulations cannot be had at the moment, it is well to remember 

 that the Cuban customs system is biased on tihat of the United States, and that the laws 

 and regulations of the two countries are generally alike; in many cases one being 

 merely a transcript of the other. 



The laws relating to the production of manifests of vessels, invoices of goods and 

 bills of lading are practically identical in both countries. 



The customs tariff of Cuba is principally on a specific basis, and the gross and net 

 weight should be carefully and accurately stated in all cases, as failure to do so means 

 a penalty on the importer. 



The value should also be given in all cases, and the value required, and on which 

 duty is assessed, is tihe wholesale price in the principal markets of the country of exporta- 

 tion. If a lower value is given the importer is penalized, the rule being similar to that 

 in force in the States. 



Bills of lading should be forwarded without any delay, as goods cannot be entered 

 or delivered without them, and if the goods are shipped to order the bills of lading 

 should be properly endorsed. 



The American merchant to receive the benefit of the reduction of duty on Amenaan 

 goods, should have his certificate showing the American origin of his goods accompany 

 his invoice. 



Under a recent amendment of the customs laws of the island the period allowed 

 within which the entry of merchandise must be filed in the customs house has been 

 made uniform and fixed at not later than three days at Havana, and five days elsewhere, 

 after the acceptance of the manifest of the importing vessel, after that 'date a daily 

 storage rate soon eats up profits. The Cuban regulations by recent amendment have 

 been made more liberal than those of the United States, where not less than fifteen days' 

 storage is collected, even though the time in storage be only one day. 



A change recently made in the Cuban regulations which is of considerable im- 

 portance to exporters from the states is that which allows the importer to enter his 

 goods in bond for one year, or for exportation, even though they have been taken 

 possession of by the government as unclaimed, owing to the failure of the importer 

 to make entry of the same for any reason. Formerly all such goods were sold by the 

 customs authorities. o- • 



Another dhange of special interest to ship owners became effective on July 1 _ of 

 this year. It is the reduction by one-half on the tonnage duty on foreigTi vessels entermg 

 ports of the isknd. A vessel of 5,000 tons formerly paid $1,000 on entering as agamst 

 $500 now required. 



Within a short time changes will be made in the arrangements for the comfort of 

 outgoing and incoming passengers at Havana, which should be of considerable advantage to 

 tourists. Among these is a reciprocal agreement with the United States authorities, which 

 will result in United States customs inspectors being stationed in Havana, to there in- 

 spect and seal the baggage of persons returning to the states, thus avoiding delays and 

 inconvenience upon return. 



