Logistics services in Cuba.

Cuba logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Cuba use sea, air and rail to move cargo in and out of the country. Seaborne trade runs through about 34 ports along a coastline of about 3,735 km, with key locations including Bahai de la Habana, Cienfuegos, Antilla, Bahia de Sagua de Tanamo, Nuevitas Bay, Puerto Guantanamo and Santiago de Cuba.

Containerised cargo flows are about 281,000 TEU a year, supported by international liner services and a merchant fleet of about 65 vessels. Shippers can also use scheduled air services through 15 airports, including José Martí International Airport in Havana and several other international gateways. Inland, freight can connect to ports and airports via about 8,367 km of rail, while road transport links industrial areas with coastal and air hubs.

Freight forwarders in Cuba need to be familiar with a port system of about 34 seaports, including Bahai de la Habana, Cienfuegos, Antilla, Bahia de Sagua de Tanamo, Nuevitas Bay and Santiago de Cuba. Container throughput is about 281,000 TEU a year, and the liner shipping connectivity index stands at 8.03, so experience with available liner services is relevant.

Cuba’s overall logistics performance index is 2.2, with customs at 2.0 and international shipments at 2.1, all below the world median. When choosing a partner, shippers should check how they handle these weaker areas, especially customs procedures and shipment coordination. Strong relationships with lines that have offices in Havana, such as CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM, can help with scheduling and space. Forwarders used to flows with China, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, the USA and Canada will be better aligned with the country’s main trade partners.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Cuba moves through a network of 34 ports, with around 281,000 TEU handled in 2023. Key ports for containerized and general cargo include Bahai de la Habana (CUHAV), Cienfuegos (CUCFG), Antilla (CUANT), Bahia De Sagua De Tanamo (CUSDT) and Nuevitas Bay (CUNVT). Several of these have rail connections and cargo pier depths around 9.4 m or 6.4 m, which affects vessel size.

Cuba ranks between 102 and 168 worldwide for container throughput and between 18 and 38 within Latin America & Caribbean, reflecting moderate volumes. CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag Lloyd and ZIM have offices in Havana and can be used to organize both FCL and LCL services via regional hubs. Fourteen oil terminals and a merchant fleet of 65 vessels, including general cargo and oil tankers, complement dry container flows for energy related shipments.

Air cargo uses about 15 airports with scheduled services, led by José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana and other international gateways such as Abel Santamaria (SNU), Antonio Maceo (SCU), Frank Pais (HOG) and Ignacio Agramonte (CMW). Total air freight traffic reached about 5 million tonne-km in 2023. Higher value or time-sensitive goods in Cuba’s trade mix, including tobacco products and processed imports like plastic products, are typical candidates for air freight where speed matters over cost.

Rail and road freight in Cuba connect inland production with ports and airports. The rail network is about 8,367 km, supporting both general freight movements and access to major seaports such as Bahai de la Habana, Cienfuegos, Antilla and Nuevitas Bay, some of which have on-dock rail.

Rail freight traffic is about 1,351 million tonne-km in the latest reported year. Overland borders are limited to the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay at about 28.5 km, so international surface trade largely uses maritime and air gateways, with road transport feeding these hubs from industrial and agricultural areas.

Customs clearance in Cuba takes place within a logistics system that is part of the World Customs Organization, with membership recorded since 1988. The country is also a member of the World Trade Organization. The average applied tariff is about 9 percent, and exporters and importers should expect this general level of border protection in their costing.

Cuba’s logistics performance index shows a customs score of 2.0 versus a world median of 2.6. Overall LPI is 2.2, with slightly higher values for tracking and tracing at 2.4 and timeliness at 2.6. Export border compliance takes about 6 days and import about 7 days. For smoother clearance, shippers should ensure accurate commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents aligned with their forwarder’s and carrier’s requirements.