WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
20 January 2009 
 
 (09-0208) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   Spanish 
  
 
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON 
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement  
on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
CUBA 
   The following communication, dated 14 January 2 009, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the Republic of Cuba. 
 
_____________ 
 
 
I. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (CITMA) 
A. C
ENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION AND CONTROL (CICA) 
1. Ozone Depleting Substances 
Outline of systems 
 
1. A licence is required to import substances that have the potential to deplete the ozone layer 
(otherwise known as ozone depleting substances or ODS), and products, equi pment and technologies 
that use these substances.  The purpo se of this requirement is to ensu re that emissions and the use of 
these substances at national level are maintained at th e levels and within the ranges that are authorized 
under international commitments. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 2. Any substance pertaining to the chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) group, and mixtures thereof;  
bromochlorodifluoromethane, brom otrifluoromethane and dibromot etrafluoromethane;  and carbon 
tetrachloride, trichloroethane, and methyl brom ide.  Also covered ar e products and equipment 
containing these substances (e.g. refrigerated and/or air conditioned transport units, portable 
extinguishers, refrigerators, freezers, heat pumps, a nd aerosol products, other than medical aerosols). 
3. The licensing system applies to all the above substances, regardless of the countries they 
originate in or come from. 
4. Licensing is intended to restrict the quantity of imports through the use of a nationally 
established maximum quota for each substance, with a view to progressively reducing the substances 
in question until they are totally eliminated, in comp liance with Cuba's obligations as signatory to the 
                                                     
 
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 2  
 
  Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances 
that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
5. Law No. 81 on the environment, Article 12(g) and (i);  and Ministry of Science, Technology 
and the Environment (CITMA) Resolution No. 11 6/2005.  Import licensing is mandatory.  The 
legislation specifies the substances covered by this licensing system. 
Procedures 
 
6. In the fourth quarter of the year, the CITMA, through the Technical Ozone Office, establishes 
and notifies all interested parties of the following year's annual maximum import quota for each controlled substance, in accordance with the nationa l schedule for the elimination of these substances.  
This quota cannot be carried over from one year to the next. 
 The entities responsible for allocating quotas for eac h type or group of controlled substances 
are the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) (for CFC substances) and the Ministry of Agriculture 
(MINAGRI) (for methyl bromide).  Once the annua l maximum import quota has been received, these 
entities distribute, in the fourth quarter of the y ear, the amounts of controlled substance allocated to 
each consumer for the following year, in accordance  with a distribution procedure based on needs and 
availability.  This information is not published and is supp lied only to the interested parties (Technical 
Ozone Office, allocating entities, entities, importers and the Centre for Environmental Inspection and 
Control (CICA)), as explained a bove.  The approved figure is an overall amount and does not take 
into account the country of origin.  The legislation does not provide for any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement. 
 
I. Quota size is determined on a yearly basis (calendar year).  Quotas cannot be carried over 
from one year to the next, and they remain in  effect only for the period of validity of the 
import licence (until 31 December of the year in  question).  Import licences are valid for only 
one shipment.  If the anticipated amount is too large for a single shipment, a new licence must 
be requested for the excess within the same calendar year. 
 II. Importing entities are required to keep a perman ent inventory of imports  of these substances 
and their destinations.  In July and December each year, they must notify the Technical Ozone 
Office, by means of an official communication signed by their most senior executive, of all 
imports and sales of ozone de pleting substances, and products , equipment, and technologies 
containing such substances.  Every three months, the Customs General of the Republic 
notifies promptly to the Technical Ozone Office the data relating to actual imports into Cuba of all regulated and controlle d ozone depleting substances, and products, equipment and 
technologies.  The environmental authority (CICA) is free to order a State Environmental Inspection to monitor compliance with the requirements set in the licences granted. 
 
III. Applications must be submitted in the year fo r which the quota is assigned, at any period of 
the year, 60 working days before the scheduled  shipment date.  Licences remain valid until 
31 December of the year in which they are granted. 
 IV. Import licences are granted within a maximum period of 35 working days. 
 
V. 25 working days.  VI. Applications are submitted to the CICA, whic h is based at the Office for Environmental 
Regulation and Nuclear Safety (ORASEN) of the CITMA.  It is not necessary to approach 
any other administrative body. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 3 
 
 
  VII. Applications are always submitted by the importer and must specify the entities the 
substances are for and the quantities of substan ce to be imported to each of those entities, in 
accordance with the amounts allocated in adva nce by the MINCIN (CFCs), the MINAGRI 
(methyl bromide) or the Technical Ozone Office directly (other controlled substances).  These amounts are allocated by each of the aforementioned authorities on the basis of the 
consumption of each entity, the requests the entities have made, and the overall amount the 
country can allow without affecting its inte rnational phase-out commitments.  Under no 
circumstances does the CICA have any influence over this decision. 
 VIII. Applications are examined in the order in which they are submitted to the CICA (on a first 
come, first served basis), and any entity allocated a quota can apply (through the 
corresponding importer) for the necessary licence. 
 IX. Import licences are also required.  The processing procedure is the same.  
X. Not applicable. 
 XI. No.  7. (a) 60 working days prior to the scheduled date of importation. 
(b) Licences cannot be extended.  A new licen ce may be requested, within the same 
calendar year, if all of the anticipated amount is not imported. 
(c) No. 
(d) In such cases, environmental licences are granted solely by the CICA. 
8. An application for an import licence may be refu sed if any of the requirements set forth in the 
legislation is not met;  the applicant is notified in  writing of the grounds for the refusal.  No appeal 
lies from a refusal. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. The importation and exportation of the substan ces in question and products, equipment and 
technologies that use these substances must be author ized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade by means 
of a resolution defining the substance type or group. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. See form attached (Annex I).
2 
11. The relevant licence must be presented to Customs. 
12. There is a fee of 44 Cuban pesos. 
13. Not applicable. 
                                                      
2 A sample form is available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in Spanish 
only). G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 4  
 
  Conditions of licensing 
 
14. Licences are valid for the year in progress.  They cannot be extended. 
15. No. 
 
16. They are not transferable. 
 17. Not applicable.  
Other procedural requirements 
 
18. There are no other procedures.  19. Not applicable.  2. Biological Diversity 
Outline of systems 
 
1. Biological Diversity Import Permits (CITMA Resolution No. 111/96 - "Regulations on 
Biodiversity") are required for all plant and animal  species and parts and derivatives thereof, except 
for species considered to be exotic, at risk or genetically modified and those listed in the three 
appendices to the Convention on International Trad e in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(CITES).  Also excluded from the scope of the a bove Resolution are the biological resources evoked 
by the agricultural, livestock and fish production of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Sugar Industry, the Ministry of Fisheries and othe r state, cooperative and private producers, which are 
duly authorized by the competent authority, des tined for human and animal consumption, and 
traditionally used in the country for these purposes. 
 These import permits are granted to national or  foreign natural pers ons and legal persons. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. Species entering the country as various animal or  plant specimens, in the form of holotypes, 
genotypes, products or derivatives of  species and non-exotic specimens. 
3. This procedure applies to goods from any country in the world. 
4. These permits do not restrict quantity, but en sure coordination with the competent bodies. 
5. The Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA) was established in 
April 1994 pursuant to Decree-Law No. 147 of the Republic of Cuba.  By means of Resolution 
No. 111 of 1996, the CITMA appointed the Centre for Environmental Inspection and Control (CICA) 
to establish, in coordination with the compet ent bodies, checks aimed at ensuring effective 
compliance with the measures needed to preserve a nd ensure the sustainable use of the country's 
natural resources. 
Procedures 
 6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) Applications for import permits must be submitted 30 working days in advance.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 5 
 
 
  (b) Extension is possible;  requests must be addressed to the CICA. 
(c) Not applicable. 
(d) The CICA is the only institution in the country authorized to review and assess 
applications (with the assistance of e xperts from legally appointed competent 
scientific bodies). 
8. Applications for permits may be refused if th e information therein is not approved.  The 
applicant must be notified of this decision in writing. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Importers must be registered in the National Register of Exporters and Importers of the 
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. Permit requests must be set forth in a documen t addressed to the CICA and an application 
form must be completed with the required information. 
11. Not applicable. 
12. The following fees are payable pursu ant to Resolution No. 181/2004: 
National natural persons and nati onal institutions - 43 Cuban pesos 
National trading institutions - 91 Cuban pesos Foreign persons - 43 Cuban convertible pesos National trading institutions - 91 Cuban convertible pesos 
13. Not applicable. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. An import permit is valid for six calendar months  and may be extended before its expiry date 
through a request made to the CICA. 
15. There are no penalties, since no legal instrument contains any provisions to that effect.  
Permits are subject only to expiry. 
16. Permits are not transferable. 
17. Not applicable. 
Other procedural requirements 
 18. No other procedures are required prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 6  
 
  B. S
ECRETARIAT OF THE NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS 
(CEANPAQ) 
1. Chemical Weapons 
Outline of systems 
 
1. The importation into Cuba of the substances lis ted in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of the Chemical 
Weapons Convention (CWC) is subject to an impor t licensing system which ensures that these 
substances are used for purposes not prohibited by the CWC and that Schedule 1 and 2 substances are 
traded only with States Parties.  Such licences are granted only to properly established legal persons. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. Parties that are interested in importing any of the substances listed in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of 
the CWC must apply for an import licence.  Applications must indicate the following:  chemical name 
of the substance, quantity, Schedule to which the substance belongs, name of director of the entity, 
owner, legal domicile, import licence number (as certif ied by the certificate of registration with the 
National Register of Exporters and Importers of th e Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba), 
commercial invoice, name and address of the exporter,  country of origin and country of provenance. 
Licences are valid for only one import transaction. 
 
3. All 184 States Parties to the CWC may engage in  trade in the controlled substances listed in 
Schedules 1 and 2.  Any State Party and State not party to the CWC may engage in trade in Schedule 
3 substances, provided that the latter issues a certifi cate stating the final destination of the substances. 
4. The purpose of the system is to ensure that Schedule 1, 2 and 3 subs tances, and products 
containing such substances in the percentages established, are imported only for purposes not 
prohibited under the CWC.  The procedure limits th e quantity of Schedule 1 substances in the country 
at any given time, which cannot exceed one tonne, and ensures that transfers of Schedule 1 and 2 
substances and the products containing them take place only between States Parties.  With regard to 
Schedule 3 substances, if they are transferred to a St ate not party to the CWC, that State must issue a 
certificate stating their end use and confirming that  they are to be used for non-prohibited purposes. 
5. Decree Law No. 202 on the Prohibition of the Deve lopment, Production, Stockpiling and Use 
of Chemical Weapons and the Destruction Ther eof of 24 December 1999, Chapter III of which, 
entitled "Licences and Permits", refers to the genera l rules concerning the procedure for the granting 
of licences and permits for activities involving the chemical substances listed in the CWC. 
 Resolution No. 32/2005 implementing the supplem entary regulations to Decree Law No. 202 
entitled "Regulations for the Implementation of the National System for the Control of the Chemical 
Substances Listed in the Chemical Weapons Conve ntion, the Granting of Licences and Permits, and 
Information Processing", Chapter III of which, including the first and second sections thereof, is devoted to explaining the procedures for the gr anting and refusal of licences, appeals, the 
responsibilities of the competent authority, and the time frames and deadlines for processing the 
licences and permits to be obtained by entities conduc ting activities involving the substances listed in 
the CWC. 
 
 Under the above-mentioned legal instruments, licensing is compulsory for activities involving 
the use of substances listed in the CWC.   The controlled substances are listed in the Annex to Decree Law No. 202/99, which 
reproduces the CWC's "Annex on Chemicals".  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 7 
 
 
   The Council of State (the legislature) has made licensing a statutory requirement and 
empowers the CITMA (the executive) to establis h the terms and conditions for each system. 
 
Procedures 
 6.I. The legislation does not provide for quotas to ensure that the quantity of a Schedule 1 
substance in the country does not exceed one to nne at any given time.  This is instead 
controlled through licence applications for any activity involving these substances, including 
importation.  In the event of a risk of the above quantity being exceeded, licence applications, 
whether or not relating to importation, would be rejected in accordance with the established 
procedure. 
 No activities have been conducted in th e country using Schedule 1 substances. 
 II. Not applicable.  
III. Not applicable. 
 IV. The deadline for the submission of appli cations relating to Schedule 1 substances and 
products containing Schedule 1 substances is 60 days prior to the start of the activity (importation/exportation). 
 
 This deadline does not apply to applications for the importation or exportation of saxitoxin in 
quantities of 5 mg. or less.  In these cases a licence may be requested up until the time of 
entry into or departure from the country, provided that the transfer is for medical or diagnostic 
purposes. 
 
V. The processing period for applications is 30 days, though it is shorter for both imports and 
exports, when the Secretariat of the Nationa l Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical 
Weapons (CEANPAQ) receives the commercial invoice. 
 VI. Licences are issued for the date of im portation indicated on the commercial invoice. 
 
VII. Decree Law No. 202/99 and Resolution No. 32/2003 designate the CEANPAQ as the 
competent authority and specify that in cases wh ere another type of authorization is required 
for the importation, manufacture or other uses of chemical substances, the processing and granting of licences will be contingent upon the authorization issued by that authority. 
 
VIII. On a first come, first served basis. 
 IX. Not applicable.  X. Not applicable.  
XI. Not applicable. 
 7. There are no quantitative limits on the impor tation of Schedule 2 and 3 substances and 
products containing such substances in the percentag es set forth in the CWC, if they are used for 
non-prohibited purposes. 
(a) Licence applications must be submitted 30 days prior to the scheduled date of 
importation. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 8  
 
   In exceptional circumstances, the Dir ector of the CEANPAQ may authorize the 
granting of a licence even when the appli cation has not been submitted within the 
established time frame. 
(b) Import licences cannot be granted immediately.  They are issued for only one 
substance, one import transaction, and when the importer presents the commercial 
invoice. 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which the licence 
application may be submitted or the importation effected. 
(d) Decree Law No. 202/99 and Resolution No. 32/2003 designate the CEANPAQ as the 
competent authority and specify that in case s where another type of authorization is 
required for the importation, manufacture or other uses of chemical substances, the 
processing and granting of licences will be c ontingent upon the authorization issued 
by that authority. 
8. Licence applications may be refused on the ground s of failure to meet the above criteria or 
other criteria set forth in current legislation.  The reasons for refusal are set forth in a licence refusal 
letter, in accordance with the "Procedure for Pr ocessing Applications for CEANPAQ Authorization". 
 Applicants have the right to appeal to the Di rector of the Office for Environmental Regulation 
and Nuclear Security within 30 working days of the date on which they receive the communication 
notifying them of the refusal.   Should the appeal be turned down by the Director of the Office for Environmental Regulation 
and Nuclear Security, application for a Special Re view Procedure may be made within 180 days of 
that decision to the Minister of Science, Technol ogy and the Environment if there is evidence of a 
blatant flaw in the taking of the decision or if th ere is information that th e authority that refused 
authorization did not have or was not  aware of at the time.  A ruling must be issued within 30 working 
days of the receipt of the review application. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Importers must be registered in the National Register of Exporters and Importers of the 
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. An application form for authorization to import chemical substances listed in the CWC is 
attached (Annex II).
3 
 The importer must submit the following documents with the application: 
 
• Photocopies of the decision appointing the director of the entity and the entity's 
charter; 
• photocopy of the certificate of registration with the National Register of Exporters 
and Importers of the Chamber of Commerce; 
                                                      
3 A sample form is available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in Spanish 
only).  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 9 
 
 
  • photocopy of the commercial invoice. 
 11. Other documents required by the Customs Gene ral of the Republic include the importer's 
licence to import chemical substances listed in the CWC. 
12. Each import licence costs 416 Cuban pesos or 416 Cuban convertible pesos, depending on the 
currency in which the importing entity operates. 
13. The issuing of licences is not associated with any deposit or advance payment requirement 
apart from the application fee. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. Import licences are valid for only one import or export transaction.  They cannot be extended. 
15. Yes.  Entities which conduct activities involvi ng CWC substances without the relevant 
authorization are committing an administrative offe nce sanctioned by Agreement No. 5517, adopted 
by the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers on 26 August 2005, without prejudice to any civil and criminal liability incurred. 
16. Import licences are not transferable between importers. 
17. No conditions are attached to the issuing of a licence other than the requirements set forth in 
current legislation. 
Other procedural requirements 
 
18. Yes, there are some other prior administrative procedures of this sort. 
19. Not applicable. 
C. N
ATIONAL CENTRE FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY (CNSN) 
Outline of systems 
 
1. Authorization is required to import radio active sources and ionizing radiation emitting 
equipment.  This provides a means of controlling the sources and equipment entering the country and 
ensuring that the use to which they will be put is proper and safe.  Authorization is also required to 
import nuclear materials and significant components so  as to verify that they are being imported for 
peaceful and authorized purposes, in accordance w ith the safeguards regime for such materials. 
 These licences are granted to national legal persons or foreign legal persons based or 
represented in the Republic of Cuba.  Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. The authorization described above is granted in the form of: 
• Import licences for radioactive sources and ionizing radiation emitting equipment; 
• authorization to transfer nuclear material or significant components (or both), insofar 
as the importation is considered an international transfer. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 10  
 
   Radioactive source:  Anything that might cau se exposure to radiation, whether by emitting 
ionizing radiation or releasing radi oactive substances or materials. 
  Nuclear material:  Uranium containing the mi xture of isotopes occurring in nature;  uranium 
depleted in the isotope 235;  thorium;  any of th e foregoing in the form of metal, alloy, chemical 
compound, or concentrate.  Plutonium-239;  uraniu m-233;  uranium enriched in the isotopes 235 or 
233;  and any material containing one or more of the foregoing.   Significant components:  Equipment or components for nuclear installations or those of the type used in such installations, specially desi gned or developed for the treatment, utilization or 
production of nuclear material. 
 3. The licensing system applies to goods from any country. 
4. In this case, licensing is not inte nded to restrict the quantity of imports;  its purpose is to 
assess the radioactive sources or ionizing radia tion emitting equipment which enter the country in 
terms of radioactivity-related risk s, bearing in mind that justification for the import of these goods 
hinges on the use to be made of them in Cuba and the safety requirements to be met during use.  With regard to nuclear material or significant component s, transfer authorization is required in order to 
control the nuclear material imported into the country, both quantitatively and qualitatively, ensuring 
that it is destined for peaceful use, and preventing any unauthori zed use, waste or movement, in 
accordance with the safeguards agreements conc luded between the Repub lic of Cuba and the 
International Atomic Energy Agency. 
5. Decree Law No. 207 of 14 February 2000 on the use of nuclear energy. 
 CITMA Resolution No. 62 of 12 July 1996 - "R egulations for the National Nuclear Materials 
Accounting and Control System".  
 CITMA Resolution No. 25 of 9 June 1998 - "R egulations concerning the Authorization of 
Practices Associated with the Use of Ionizing Radiation".   Import licensing is mandatory.  The legislation specifies the products that are subject to licensing in each case.  
 The Council of State (the legislature) has made licensing a statutory requirement and 
empowers the CITMA (the executive) to establish the terms and conditions for each system.  Legislative approval would be required to abolish the current system.  
Procedures 
 
6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) Under current legislation, a licence must be obtained prior to the importation of 
ionizing radiation equipment and sources.  In this respect, it is provided that the 
National Centre for Nuclear Safety (CNS N) must respond to a licence application 
within 30 working days of its receipt. 
 For the transfer of nuclear material or significant components, applications must be 
submitted 90 days before the sch eduled date of importation. 
(b) Given that an assessment is required, a licence can never be granted immediately.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 11 
 
 
  (c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which an application for a 
licence may be made. 
(d) The CNSN is the sole body responsible  for considering licence applications. 
8. After having considered the information subm itted, the competent authority may refuse an 
application for authorization to import ionizing ra diation emitting equipment or radioactive sources on 
the following grounds: 
(a) The information is inaccurate, unclear or contradictory; 
(b) the data provided is incomplete; 
(c) the device or equipment is not appropria te for the specific use for which it is 
intended; 
(d) the person nominated to be responsible fo r radiological protection does not meet the 
relevant requirements; 
(e) authorization previously given to the entit y was suspended or withdrawn for reasons 
that continue to exist or where there is no  evidence to suggest that the reasons for the 
suspension or withdrawal no longer exist; 
(f) the results of the inspections conducted to  verify the existence of the required 
technical conditions show that it is advisable to refuse the application; 
(g) staff do not meet the relevant requirements. 
 Authorization to transfer nuclear material or significant components is not granted unless the 
requesting entity is authorized to use such material or components.  
 The CNSN notifies the applicant that author ization has been refused and provides a report 
setting forth the grounds for this decision.   Applicants have no right of appeal.  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Importers must be registered in the National Register of Exporters and Importers of the 
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 10. For the importation of radioactive sources and i onizing radiation emitting equipment, a formal 
application must be submitted by the legal representa tive of the interested entity.  Applications must 
specify the type of authorization requested a nd contain the following general information: 
1. Name of the entity 
2. State administration body to which the entity belongs 
3. Address 
4. Telephone number 5. Telex number 6. Fax number G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 12  
 
  7. Name of legal representative 
8. Activity for which licence is required 
 Where authorization is required to transfer nuclear material or significant components, an 
application form is used.  
11. Applicants for licences to import ionizing radiation sources must submit the following 
documents and information: 
1. Certification of the legal status of the requesting entity 
2. Details of the ionizing ra diation sources to be imported
4 
3. Reference to the user entity for which the goods are destined 
4. Selling entity 
5. Expected date of arrival in national territory 6. Company responsible for distribution or transportation of the source 7. Air or maritime terminal at which the ra dioactive material is expected to arrive 
8. Production certificate for sealed sources 
9. Certification of ISO 2919 classification of sealed sources or certification of special 
form radioactive material under current re gulations on the transport of radioactive 
material. 
10. In the case of ionizing radiation emitti ng devices, detailed information on the device's 
safety characteristics, provided by the manufacturer, must be submitted, together with certification from the regulatory authority in the country of origin concerning the 
approval of the design. 
11. Package design approval certificate for the transportation of Type B packages in 
accordance with current regulations on th e transport of radioactive material. 
 12. A state service fee of 2098 Cuban pesos is char ged for a licence to import radioactive sources 
and ionizing radiation emitting equipment. 
 There is no charge for the transfer of nuclear materials or significant components. 
 13. There is no deposit or advance payment requi rement.  The only payment required is the 
authorization fee referred to in point 12 above.  If authorization is refused, the applicant is not 
required to make any payment. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. The period of validity of an import licence fo r radioactive sources or ionizing radiation 
emitting equipment is established on a case-by-case basis by the CNSN.  A licence is normally granted for three months.  The validity of a licen ce cannot be extended;  instead, a new licence must 
be requested, which will have a new period of validity. 
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence. 
16. Import licences are not transferable. 
17. No other conditions are attached to the issui ng of these licences.  The licence holder must 
adhere to the licensing requirements. 
                                                     
 
4 Depending on the name of the radioactive source an d whether or not it is sealed, or in the case of 
emitting equipment, the information to be submitted, such  as that pertaining to source and radionuclide activity, 
concentration of activity, source serial number, and equipment voltage, is determined by law.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements 
 
18. No other procedures are required prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
D. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL SAFETY (CNSB) 
Outline of systems 
 
1. The National Centre for Biological Safety (CNSB) , as the regulatory centre of the Ministry of 
Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA), is responsible for granting licences for the use, 
testing, production, release, importation and exporta tion of, and research into, biological agents and 
their products, and organisms and parts thereof c ontaining genetic inform ation, in the national 
territory, and at the various stages of the construction of facilities posing a biological risk. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. Biological safety authorization is a form of environmental licence, through which the 
CITMA, after having carried out a risk assessment,  authorizes a natural or legal person to conduct 
certain activities in accordance with a number of co nditions and requirements.  Authorization can be 
granted in the form of a licence, permit, notification or report. 
 Licences are the form of biological safety auth orization used for activities posing the highest 
level of risk which include the importation of biolog ical agents and their products, and organisms and 
parts thereof containing genetic information.  Fo r the importation of parts of biological agents 
containing genetic information, which is a lower risk activity, a biological safety notification is 
required.   For these purposes, biological agents are defined as viable micro-organisms or their products, priors and other organisms which cause or may cause disease in humans, animals and plants;  
organisms are defined as any biological entity that is  genetically modified or exotic to the country, 
capable of reproduction or tr ansferring genetic material. 
 3. The Biological Safety Authorization System is a pplicable to goods originating in any country. 
4. The system does not provide for a limit to the quantity or value of imports;  this depends 
instead on the risk analysis  carried out in each case. 
5. The legal instruments under which the Biological Safety Authorization System is maintained 
are the following: 
• Resolution No. 67/96 on the creation of the CNSB and its functions and 
responsibilities, which include organizing and implementing procedures for granting 
licences for the importation of biological ag ents and their products, and organisms 
and parts thereof containing genetic information. 
• Decree Law No. 190 on biological safety, Sec tion 1, Article 4(c).  Establishes the 
responsibilities of the CITMA, which include  granting, suspending and withdrawing 
licences for activities relating to the use, t esting, production, release, importation and 
exportation of, and research into, biological agents and their products, and organisms 
and parts thereof containing genetic information. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 14  
 
  • Resolution No. 180/2007 - Regulations for the Granting of Biological Safety 
Authorization, Chapter 1, Article 6(e).  Provides that prior biological safety 
authorization must be obtained in order to import and export biological agents and 
their products, and organisms and parts thereof containing genetic information. 
 The legislation specifies which organisms are subj ect to control, i.e. biological agents that 
affect humans, animals and plants;  genetically modifi ed organisms;  exotic species;  and parts of any 
of these containing genetic information.  These prod ucts constitute the converge of biological safety 
regulation and the scope of risk control.   Any change needed to the current system - which would mean amending the Decree Law - 
would be made by the Council of State at the proposal of the CITMA.  Any amendment of 
Resolution No. 180, which gives effect to the aut horization system, would be the responsibility of the 
issuing authority, in this case the CITMA, wh ich is in charge of biological safety. 
 
Procedures 
 6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) The application assessment process can vary from 30 (notification) to 90 (licences 
other than for the importation of genetically  modified organisms intended for release 
into the environment) or 270 (importation of  genetically modified organisms intended 
for release into the environment) working days from the date of receipt of the application, provided that the informati on submitted is complete.  Should further 
information be required, the process will be  suspended until the relevant information 
has been received.  Authorization must  be requested in accordance with the 
established time limits. 
(b) In our case, it is not possible to grant authorization immediately except under very 
exceptional circumstances, as the products concerned pose a risk to those handling 
them, to the community and to the environment.  Enough time is therefore needed to 
carry out a risk analysis that includes bib liographical consultation, consultation with 
experts and the application of risk identification techniques. 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which an application may 
be made. 
(d) Examination of biological safety licence applications is the job of the CNSB.  
However, in the course of its examination, it may need to call on experts from other 
administrative bodies to assist in reaching a final decision.  Applications are also 
submitted to the Centre for Environmenta l Inspection and Control (CICA) for an 
opinion on whether or not the activities are proper.  The technical report of the Centre is binding for the granting of  a biological safety licence. 
8. In general, applications for biological safet y import licences may be refused for two reasons: 
• The activity's adverse effects on human, animal and plant health or the environment 
are so evident that authorization is ina dvisable in light of the conditions in the 
country. 
• The anticipated benefits are not worth the risks involved.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 15 
 
 
   In addition to the granting or refusal of  a licence, other decisions may be taken: 
• The granting of a licence with certain cond itions attached to its validity:  the 
competent authority may approve a planned activity and issue a licence with the rider that the holder will make the requisite cha nges or improvements within the specified 
time-limit or else the licence will lose its validity. 
• Deferral:  issue of the licence is deferred when changes or improvements are needed 
in the planned activity in order to remedy safety defects and so forestall any adverse 
effects. 
 In the event of refusal or deferral, the comp etent authority must state the grounds in writing, 
accounting for the decision in detail.   Appeal against the competent authority's decisi on lies within ten working days of the date of 
notification, as appropriate, to: 
 
• The Director-General of the Office for Environmental Regulation and Nuclear Safety;  
or 
• the Minister of the CITMA when the impugned decision is upheld by the 
Director-General of the Office for Environmental Regulation and Nuclear Safety. 
 The authority concerned must rule within 15 working days of the date on which the appeal 
was filed. 
  All the above procedures are described in and regulated by Resolution No. 180/2007 - 
Regulations for the Granting of Biological Safety Authorization.  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Importers must be registered in the National Register for Exporters and Importers of the 
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 10. In order to obtain an import licence, the applicant must submit a technical file, accompanied 
by a written application for a biological safety licen ce, to the competent authority.  The following 
information must be included: 
• Name of the facility or release area 
• Body or organization to which it belongs 
• Date of application 
• Legal domicile, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address 
• Description of the proposed activity 
• Risk assessment carried out for each activity 
• Name, surname and signature of the entity's legal representative G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 16  
 
  • Official stamp of the entity 
• Certified copy of the requesting entity's charter 
• Certified copy of the document officially  appointing the owner of the requesting 
entity 
 The technical file must also contain the genera l information referred to in Annexes 5, 6, 11, 
12 and 13 of Resolution No. 180/2007 pertaining to the specific product to be imported.  
11. Upon importation, the relevant biological safety licence is required. 
12. Import licences cost between 345 and 3979 Cuban pesos. 
13. Not applicable. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. The period of validity of a licen ce depends on the assessment made by the specialist in charge 
of the process.  To renew a licence upon its expiry, a new letter of application must be submitted to 
the CNSB. 
15. Penalties are imposed only if importation takes place without biological safety authorization 
or after the licence expiry date. 
16. Licences are not transferable between importers. 
17. The issuing of a licence is subject to the cond itions laid down in the legislation on biological 
safety. 
Other procedural requirements 
 
18. Not applicable. 
19. Not applicable. 
II. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 
A. N
ATIONAL CENTRE FOR PLANT HEALTH (CNSV)  AND PLANT QUARANTINE  
Outline of systems 
 
1. Licences are required to import the materials subject to quarantine listed in Decree Law 
No. 153 (regulated items). 
 Licences are granted to companies, unions and other state organizations, state bodies and 
agencies, budgeted entities, joint ventures, and co mmercial corporations legally established in 
national territory, and to national or foreign natura l or legal persons expressly authorized by law to 
engage in international trade in goods. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. Import licences are granted for materials subject to quarantine (regulated items) that do not 
represent a danger to Cuban agriculture, in particul ar those intended for sowing, and fresh fruits and 
vegetables originating in areas free of fruit flies.  This includes materials relating to those materials 
subject to quarantine (regulated items), for any use. 
3. The licensing system applies to all materi als subject to quarantine (regulated items) 
originating in and coming from any country. 
4. Licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity of imports, but to prevent the introduction of 
pests. 
5. Decree Law No. 153, Articles 3(2), 18(a), 25 and 30;  and Ministry of Agriculture Resolution 
No. 435 of 1994.  Phytosanitary import licensing is mandatory and the legislation establishes which products are subject to these procedures.  Parliame ntary approval would be required to abolish the 
current system. 
Procedures 
 
6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) Article 8 of Resolution No. 435/94 provides that import licences must be requested 
60 days prior to the shipment of the goods from their country of origin.  The approval or refusal of the application is notified w ithin 30 days of the date on which it was 
submitted, although this period may vary  under certain circumstances.  If goods 
arrive in the country without a perm it or a licence, Decree No. 169/1992 on 
infringements will be applied. 
(b) No. 
(c) Applications for licences may be made during any period of the year.  The period 
during which importation is authorized, however, is specified on the licence granted. 
(d) Pursuant to Decree Law No. 190/99 on biological safety for exotic plants, the 
interested party must first present the li cence granted by the National Centre for 
Biological Safety (CNSB), the Centre for Environmental Management and Inspection, or the Institute of Ecology a nd Systematics, to the National Centre for 
Plant Health (CNSV). 
8. Licence applications may be refused if pest risk analysis shows that the product to be 
imported represents a danger to the country.  The inter ested party is notified of this and informed of 
the technical considerations relating to th e refusal.  No appeal lies from a refusal. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Importers must be registered in the National Register for Exporters and Importers of the 
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 18  
 
  Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. The importer must complete the application form set forth in Annex III.
5 
11. The importer or its representative must be in possession of an import licence and the 
certificates specified therein. 
12. All licences granted must be paid for.  The fee is determined beforehand in the services 
contract between the importer and the CNSV in accor dance with the rate established in Ministry of 
Agriculture Resolution No. 2669/2005. 
13. No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issuing of licences. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. A licence may be valid for up to one year.  Validity may be extended by following the same 
procedure as for the previous application.  It  speeds formalities up to provide the number of the 
previous phytosanitary licence. 
15. There are no penalties. 
16. No, licences are not transferable between importers. 
17. Not applicable. 
Other procedural requirements 
 
18. Not applicable. 
19. Not applicable. 
III. MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR (MININT) 
A. PROTECTION DIRECTORATE  
Outline of systems 
 
1. Import licences are required to show that the secu rity devices used to ensure the safety and 
protection of goods and peopl e have been examined by means of a ppropriate procedures and that their 
quality meets the requirements of both the manufact urer and the body that governs their use. 
 Licences are granted to properly established national legal persons. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 2. Analogue and digital closed circuit televi sion (CCTV), cameras, lenses, sequencers, 
movement controllers, quads, multip lexers, matrices, video and audi o signal transmitting equipment, 
accessories, components and parts, and imag e processing and management software. 
                                                     
 
5 A sample form is available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in Spanish 
only).  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 19 
 
 
   Access control systems (ACS) of the following types:  magnetic card, proximity, code, voice 
recognition, hand geometry, fingerprint, and retina s canner;  accessories, components and parts, and 
information processing and management software.   Intruder alarm systems.  Central alarm units;  intruder detectors of the following types:  
magnetic contact, electrical contact, capacitive, radio frequency, infra-red, passive infra-red, 
ultrasonic, pressure, vibration, seismic, temperat ure, and laser;  acoustic and visual signalling 
apparatus.   Central alarm receiving units and remote security system management platforms. 
 
 Mechanical push button security lo cks;  mechanical security locks;   electronic security locks;  
time control locks;  high security padlocks;  time lo cks;  reinforced doors;  reinforced vault doors;  
fireproof vault doors;  emergency vault doors;  expl osion-resistant doors;  fire doors;  reinforced 
windows and glass;  bullet-proof steel armour-pla ting;  day and night deposit boxes;  ATMs;  
panel-reinforced rooms or vaults;  data storage safes ;  security doors;  value transfers;  counter safes 
and anti-theft boxes;  gun racks;  safety deposit boxes for bank vaults;  code-reading key copying 
machines;  master key systems including codifier s and decodifiers with software programme;  
skeleton keys;  European Standard high security safes, grades 1, 2, 3 and 4;  high security safes, grades TL15, TL30, TL15X6, TL30X 6, TRTL15X6, TRTL30X6 and TX TL60;  high security coded 
locks and keys;  mechanical combination locks, gr oups 1, 1R and 2, for use with safes and vault 
doors;  electronic combination locks;  electro-mechanical locks and keys;  electronically controlled 
code-operated safes;  encoded electro-mechanic tr ansponder systems for motor vehicle security;  
non-copiable security cylinders.  3. The licensing system applies to goods from any country. 
4. Licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity of imports;  its purpose is to prevent the entry 
of security technologies of dubious quality which do  not meet the requirements for their use and 
which are incompatible with the systems used in the country. 
5. Decree Law No. 186/98 on the Security an d Physical Protection System, Chapter II, 
Section 1, concerning the competent authority, Article 3(e), (g), (h) and (j);  Resolution No. 2/2001 - Regulations to Decree Law No. 186/98, Articles 124, 125, 126, 127 and 128.  Import licensing is 
mandatory.  Parliamentary approval would be  required to abolish the current system. 
Procedures 
 
6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) There is no requirement as to how far in  advance a licence must be requested, but the 
Protection Directorate has 15 working days fro m the receipt of the application within 
which to issue its decision.  Under ex ceptional circumstances, the period for 
examining the application may be shorte ned at the Directorate's discretion. 
(b) A licence cannot be granted immediately on request. 
(c) There are no limitations. 
(d) Consideration of licences is effected only by the Protection Directorate of the 
Ministry of the Interior (MININT). G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 20  
 
  8. An application for an import licence may be  refused in the event of infringement of 
Article 124 of Resolution No. 2/2001.  The applican t is notified of the reasons for the refusal.  
Applicants have no right of appeal to the Protection Directorate of the MININT.  Licences for non-approved technologies can be issued only when the import is to be used as a sample for the type 
approval process. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Importers must be registered in the National Register for Exporters and Importers of the 
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. The information required in applications is that specified in Article 128 of Resolution 
No. 2/2001: 
• Importer details 
• Security devices to be imported 
• Make and model 
• Supplier 
• Import destination 
11. Import licence. 
12. There is no fee or charge. 
13. Not applicable. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. The period of validity of a licence is not determined. 
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence. 
16. Import licences are not transferable between importers. 
17. The product must be approved by the accredited national entity (ACERPROT) on the basis of 
compliance with the technical and environmen tal standards in force in the country. 
Other procedural requirements 
 
18. No other administrative procedures are required prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 21 
 
 
  IV. MINISTRY OF THE ARMED FORCES (MINFAR) 
A. NATIONAL OFFICE OF HYDROGRAPHY AND GEODESY (ONHG) 
Outline of systems 
 
1. Licences for the importation and extraction of satellite global positioning systems (GPS). 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. Satellite global positioning systems (GPS) used for geodesic and hydrographic purposes and 
other similar activities. 
3. It applies to imports from any country. 
4. Licensing does not restrict either the quantity or the value of imports.  Its purposes are 
described in the fourth and fifth Whereas paragrap hs of Decree No. 269 of 9 March 2000 on space 
radiocommunications services. 
5. Decree No. 269, mentioned above, and Resolution No. 90 of the Minister of the 
Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) of 13 February 2001 "to implement Decree No. 269".  Licensing 
is mandatory, except for natural pe rsons who import the products for personal use, e.g. clocks and 
watches, pagers, and outdoor orientation devices,  in which case the goods must be declared at 
customs upon arrival in the country.  Licences are required for high precision equipment imported for use in geodesic and hydrographic activities requiri ng the determination of precise coordinates.  
Changes cannot be made to the current system without parliamentary approval. 
Procedures 
 
6. Not applicable.  Imports of GPS equipment are not subject to any restrictions in terms of 
quantity or value. 
7. When the equipment is not used in activiti es to determine high precision coordinates. 
(a) Three months before importation.  In cases where imports have been effected and 
have arrived in port owing to inadverten cy, the matter is examined on a case-by-case 
basis, every effort being made to ensure  that the economic implications for the 
importer are kept to a minimum. 
(b) Yes, wherever possible.  In cases where it is known in advance that the licence will 
not be used within the set time, we recomme nd that a request for its renewal be made 
to the ONHG. 
(c) There are no limitations of this sort. 
(d) Licence applications are processed solely by  the ONHG, which, if necessary, consults 
the MININT, the MINFAR and other centr al government agencies (OACE) before 
issuing or refusing the import licence. 
8. Licence applications may be refused if the GPS equipment involved is to be used to measure 
coordinates in areas for which the recipients of the equipment do not have authorization.  Applications 
may also be refused if they have been subm itted by an importer whose corporate purpose does not G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 22  
 
  justify the use of GPS technology.  In all cases, app licants are notified of the reasons for the refusal.  
Decree No. 269 and Resolution No. 90 do not provide for a right of appeal. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Legal persons are eligible to apply for an im port licence.  In the case of natural persons, the 
justification given for importing the technology is analysed on a case-by-case basis. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. Applications must be addressed to the Director  of the ONHG and must contain the following 
information: 
(a) Date 
(b) Name of requesting entity 
(c) Body to which it belongs 
(d) Address of requesting entity 
(e) Resolution establishing the requesting entity 
(f) Corporate purpose of the requesting entity 
(g) Person responsible for importation (nat ural person accountable to the entity 
requesting the licence) 
(h) Geographical area in which the equipment will be used 
(i) Technical tactical data concerning the equipment (including photos, wherever 
possible) 
(j) Importing entity 
(k) Applicant details (name, surn ame and position) and signature 
11. The import licence, signed by the Director of the ONHG. 
12. Import licences are free of charge. 
13. No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of licences. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. Licences are valid for 90 calendar days and ma y be extended by submitting a new application 
to the ONHG explaining the reasons why the impor tation did not take place in the period approved 
under the first licence issued. 
15. There is no penalty for non-utilization. 
16. Licences are not transferable. 
17. There are no other conditions.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 23 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements 
 
18. No other administrative procedures are required prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
V. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MINSAP) 
A. NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL AND OPTICAL DIRECTORATE  
Outline of systems 
 
1. Cuba is party to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, the Convention on 
Psychotropic Substances, 1971, and the Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and 
Psychotropic Substances, 1988.  By virtue of the implementation of the international trade 
control-related provisions of these Conventions, in  Cuba imports and expor ts of narcotic drugs, 
psychotropic substances, precursors and basic chem icals are subject to an import licensing system 
which is supplemented by a planning system covering medical, scientif ic and other legitimate needs, 
and a group of administrative measures aimed at pr eventing the possible diversion of these substances 
towards unlawful channels at any stage of their transit. 
 All national entities (legal persons) operating with  these substances are registered in a central 
register at the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Su bstance Administration, which is the drug control 
department of the National Pharmaceutical Directorat e of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP).  
They must already have registered in the National Register of Exporters and Importers of the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba and the Central Regi ster of the Customs General of the Republic. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. - Narcotic drugs regulated by the Single  Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. 
 - Psychotropic Substances regulated by the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 
1971. 
 - Precursors and basic chemicals regulated by the Convention against Illicit Traffic in 
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988. 
 Purposes of licensing:  Compliance with the obligations deriving from the above-mentioned 
international Conventions, prevention of the di version of these substances from their lawful 
circulation channels, and ensuring that medical and scientific needs are met. 
 
3. The import licensing system is applied on the basis of the above-mentioned classification to 
goods from all countries without exception. 
4. Licensing is not intended to restrict the quantit y or value of imports.  Limits on quantities for 
import are consistent with the estimates system established by the international treaties in which all 
member states participate.  The estimates system is administered by the International Narcotics 
Control Board (INCB) and aims to meet legitimat e needs for these substances while preventing illicit 
trafficking and diversion from lawf ul international trade channels. 
 The estimates system administered by the IN CB works well and obtains excellent results, and 
therefore, in our view, does not affect imports:  on the contrary, it contributes to orderly import 
activity at international level. G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 24  
 
  5. Ministerial Resolution No. 58 of 1967, Standard s and Procedures for the Control of Narcotic 
Drugs, in accordance with the provisions of th e Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. 
 Ministerial Resolution No. 72 of 1990, which im plements the provisions of the Convention on 
Psychotropic Substances, 1971.  
 Ministerial Resolution No. 67 of 1996 - Regula tions for the Control of Precursors and Basic 
or Essential Chemicals, which implements the provi sions of the Convention against Illicit Traffic in 
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.   Import licensing is mandatory and is governed by specific legislation. 
Procedures 
 
6. I. Once officially registered, the importer is  automatically notified of the formalities to be 
completed when submitting an application for an import licence, and of the statutory rules and procedures. 
Information relating to the approved estimates fo r the country is officially published by the 
INCB and distributed to each country in prin ted form.  It is also available on the 
INCB website.  Once the estimates are known, the quotas are allocated and the importers so informed as of January each year.  There are no exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement.  Anyone operating 
with the above-mentioned substances is required to obtain an import licence. 
 II. Import quota size is determined on a yearly basis.  The approved quotas are officially 
published by the INCB.  Licences are valid fro m their date of issue until 31 December each 
year. 
 
III. In the case of the above-mentioned substances wh ich we are responsible for controlling, their 
final destination and end use must be stated each time an import licence is requested.  There 
are also various levels of state supervision wh ich make it possible to ascertain the lawfulness 
of these transactions. 
 
IV. At any time of the year, although it is recommended that import licence applications be 
submitted, preferably, during the first quarter of the year. 
 V. The processing period for import licence applica tions is 15 working days as of the date when 
the application is submitted. 
 
VI. Not applicable.  This depends on the period of time established by the exporting country's 
competent authority for the granting of the export licence once the corresponding import licence has been received. 
 VII. Import licence applications are considered  solely by the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic 
Substance Administration of the National Pharmaceutical Directorate of the MINSAP, which 
is registered with the United Nations as th e competent national authority for the purposes of 
the implementation of the above-mentioned inte rnational treaties regarding the monitoring 
and control of drugs for medical and scientific use and chemical precursors. 
  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 25 
 
 
  VIII. All applications are dealt with on a firs t-come, first-served basis and in accordance with 
established priorities.  New importers are direc tly incorporated into the control system once 
the established legal requirements have been met. 
 IX. This is not applicable in the case of narco tic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors.  
The licensing system applies to imports and exports alike and is mandatory both for the 
countries in which the goods originate and for those for which the goods are destined. 
 X. Under the above-mentioned treaties export pe rmits must be endorsed by the competent 
national authority of the importing country and subsequently returned to the competent 
national authority of the exporting country.  Cuba  is also party to the pre-export notification 
mechanism, which is applied to products cl assified as precursors and basic chemicals. 
 XI. Not applicable.  
7. (a) Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before  the imports arrive in the 
country. 
 
(b) Yes, it can, provided that the request is duly justified and the established requirements 
have been met. 
(c) Not applicable. 
(d) Import licence applications are considered  solely by the Narcotic Drug and 
Psychotropic Substance Administration of th e National Pharmaceutical Directorate of 
the MINSAP, which is registered with th e United Nations as the competent national 
authority for the purpose of implementati on of the above-mentioned international 
treaties in respect of the monitoring and c ontrol of drugs for medical and scientific 
use and chemical precursors. 
8. An import licence application may be refused if  it is shown to fall short of the established 
legal formalities and technical requirements, or if th ere is any indication of a risk to the country.  
Wherever possible, the applicant is direct ly notified of the reasons for the refusal. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 9. (a) Importers must be registered in the Cent ral Register for Importers and Exporters at 
the Pharmaceutical and Optical Directorat e of the MINSAP.  Any legal entity may 
register provided that it is already registered  in the National Register of Exporters and 
Importers of the Chamber of Commerce of C uba and the Central Customs Register of 
the Customs General of the Republic. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence 
 
10. Applications for import licences must contain the following information: 
(a) Name and legal domicile of the importer and exporter; 
(b) the entity's registration number in the Na tional Register for the Monitoring of 
Controlled Substances; 
(c) telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the importer and exporter; G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
Page 26  
 
  (d) generic name of the narcotic drug, psychot ropic substance or substance with similar 
effect; 
(e) International Nonproprietary Name (INN), if any; 
(f) harmonized system code; 
(g) quantity of product with measurement un its expressed in letters and numbers; 
(h) product description:  presentation, packagi ng, pharmaceutical form and dose of the 
product in the case of pharmaceutical preparations; 
(i) international sales contract number, where appropriate; 
(j) declaration as to the use and final destina tion of the substance, identifying the client 
or the user of the substance; 
(k) in the case of imports of pharmaceutical preparations, the registration number issued 
by the Centre for State Control of Medicinal Product Quality; 
(l) anticipated date of arrival of goods in th e case of imports or anticipated date of 
departure in the case of exports; 
(m) authorized customs points where the goods declaration will be presented upon arrival 
in or departure from the country.  In the case of exports, the customs entry point in 
the importing country must be stated; 
(n) date of application; 
(o) signature of the director or manager of the requesting entity and official stamp. 
 In the case of exports, the import permit issu ed by the importing country's competent national 
authority for drug control must also be presented. 
 
11. The export permit issued by the exporting country's competent national authority for drug 
control. 
12. Not applicable. 
13. Not applicable. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. Licences are valid from the date on which they ar e issued until the 31 December of each year.  
They cannot be extended.  In the event of expiry, a new application must be submitted. 
15. There are no penalties for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of licence, or if the 
licence expires or is suspended, as a licence is required for each individual transaction. 
16. Licences are not transferable. 
17. No other conditions are attached to the issuing of  a licence, unless an official investigation or 
official supervision is required.  G/LIC/N/3/CUB/3 
 Page 27 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements 
 
18. No other administrative procedures are required prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
_________