Basic information
Outline of the system
Import licences are required to show that the security devices used to ensure the safety and protection of goods and people have been examined by means of appropriate procedures and that their quality meets the requirements of both the manufacturer and the body that regulates their use.
Licences are granted to properly established national legal persons.
Product coverage
Analogue and digital closed-circuit television (CCTV), cameras, lenses, sequencers, movement controllers, quads, multiplexers, matrices, video and audio signal transmitting equipment, accessories, components and parts, and image processing and management software.
Access control systems (ACS) of the following types: magnetic card, proximity, code, voice recognition, hand geometry, fingerprint, and retina scanner; 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, temperature, and laser. Acoustic and visual signalling apparatus.
Alarm receiving centres and remote security system management platforms. Mechanical push button security locks. Mechanical security locks. Electronic security locks. Time control locks. High security padlocks. Time locks. Reinforced doors. Reinforced vault doors. Fireproof vault doors. Emergency vault doors. Explosion resistant doors. Fire doors. Reinforced windows and glass. Bullet proof steel armour plating. 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 codifiers and decodifiers with software programme. Skeleton keys. High-security safes, European Standard grades 1, 2, 3 and 4. High-security safes, grades TL15, TL30, TL15X6, TL30X6, TRTL15X6, TRTL30X6 and TXTL60. High-security coded locks and keys. Mechanical combination locks, groups 1, 1R and 2, for use with safes and vault doors. Electronic combination locks. Electromechanical locks and keys. Electronically controlled code operated safes. Encoded electro mechanic transponder systems for motor vehicle security. Non-copiable security cylinders.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
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.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
This procedure applies to goods from any country in the world.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Decree-Law No. 186/98 on the Security and 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. The granting of licences is statutorily required.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Parliamentary approval would be required to abolish the current system.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
Importers must be registered in the National Register for Exporters and Importers of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Protection Directorate, MININT. Director: Ariel Martos Rodríguez. Email: dprot@mn.mn.co.cu; Tel:
Address
Telephone
(+53) 76487247
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
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.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
There is no requirement as to how far in advance of the activity a licence must be requested, but the Protection Directorate has 15 working days from the receipt of the application within which to issue its decision.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no such limitations.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
A licence cannot be granted immediately on request.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Under exceptional circumstances, the period for examining the application may be shortened at the Directorate's discretion.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of licences is effected only by the Protection Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
The product must be approved by the accredited national entity (ACERPROT) on the basis of compliance with the technical and environmental standards in force in the country.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is no fee or charge.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Not applicable.
Amount or rate?
Not applicable.
Is it refundable?
Not applicable.
What is the period of retention?
Not applicable.
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Not applicable.
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
An application for an import licence may be refused in the event of infringement of Article 124 of Resolution No. 2/2001.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The applicant is notified of the reasons for the refusal.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
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.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no such limitations.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Import licence.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No other administrative procedures are required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The period of validity of a licence is not determined.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Import licences are not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.