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Exports
Duty free items
Tourists leaving Cuba may take out 50 cigarettes, 20 lose cigars (without receipt or proof as to where you bought those), 50 boxed cigars (without proof of purchase provided you left them in legitimate factory boxes with the authentic holographic seals), tobacco worth USD 2,000 (with receipt) and two bottles of rum or other spirits. Receipts (original and copy) must be shown to export over 50 cigars, otherwise they will be seized. The so-called street cigars are ruled by the 20-cigar limit.
Forbidden items
Drugs, explosives, pornography, certain coins, items of cultural value, manuscripts dating from between 1440 and 1500, library books, book that are more than 50 years old, books edited by Libros Cubanos under the 'Ediciones R' imprint, foreign editions published between the 16th and 18th centuries and Cuban editions published in the 18th century, may not be taken out of Cuba.
To export works of art, you will need a permit from the Registro Nacional de Bienes Culturales (National Register of Cultural Heritage), Calle 17 no. 1009 between Calles 10 and 12, Vedado Tel: (7) 831 3362, for more info check: www.cnpc.cult.cu (Spanish only). Most reputable galleries or shops will provide you with this permit and will officially stamp your receipt. Handicrafts and artwork bought at street fairs are exempt from this requirement. You will not be able to take out works of art that are more than 50 years
Strict rules apply to taking plants and animals out of Cuba. The Convention on International Trading in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits taking the following out of the country: indigenous flora and fauna; live or preserved specimens and articles made from parts of endangered species. Lobster being one of those. However, articles made from species approved by the CITES Administrative Authority in Cuba may be taken out. Consult www.aduana.co.cu for further information.
Tourists are officially limited to take out to what they brought in. This limit is rarely enforced. Still, if customs considers your purchases to be of a commercial nature, you could face fines or confiscation.
For residents of the USA - American tourists bringing back Cuban-made goods will be considered in violation of the Treasury embargo and their goods will be confiscated. Mind that it is also illegal for US citizens to import Cuban products even if they never stepped foot on the island.
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