Ordinary Official Gazette No. 65 published today a set of resolutions governing the transfer of ownership, import, and commercialization of motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers—regulations that represent an update to ongoing policy work conducted by the Ministry of Transport (Mitrans) over the past five years.

Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, head of the sector, explained during a press conference that these policies are not new initiatives, but rather the culmination of five years of development. In addition to measures resulting from ongoing monitoring, this regulatory framework incorporates new decisions aligned with recent economic and social transformations approved by the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Government.

The Minister noted that among the updates published are the expansion of authorized state-owned dealerships, the elimination of the six-vehicle purchase limit within five years at these dealerships, and the authorization for non-state legal entities to assemble and commercialize electric vehicles across classes including mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, and automobiles.

The new regulations also relax rules for personnel serving on state missions abroad, who may now purchase or import vehicles seating up to eight passengers through any authorized dealership. Furthermore, sales of electric vehicles that include their own charging stations will be exempt from Special Tax payments.

Rodríguez Dávila announced that the Special Tax on buses and minibuses will decrease from 20 percent to 12 percent. If assembled domestically, the tax drops to seven percent, and for electric models, to five percent. The update also adjusts the minimum Special Tax value applied to second-hand vehicle imports.

Additional measures featured in the document offer new participation opportunities in vehicle commercialization, improve conditions for commercial transport buyers, and strengthen the public transport development fund designed to support sector recovery nationwide.

The Minister reported that by the end of June, 35,494 motor vehicles had been sold—65 percent internal combustion, five percent hybrid, and 30 percent electric. By vehicle type, nearly 70 percent were mopeds, motorcycles, and tricycles.

A total of 13,689 ownership transfers have been processed, including 12,444 between natural persons, 304 between legal entities, and 943 between natural persons and legal entities. Individuals have directly imported 41,963 motor vehicles as unaccompanied baggage or freight, comprising 19,443 electric mopeds and motorcycles and 22,520 internal combustion mopeds and motorcycles.

He also announced that the schedule for registering custom-assembled vehicles under the third call for registration will be released soon. Interested parties will need to sign up on the designated website once enabled, complete a technical inspection, and register their license plates.

During the previous two calls for registration, over 100,000 custom-assembled vehicles were legally registered and are currently operating across the country, the Minister added.