Duty charge for importing new portable propane BBQ into Cuba

Hey there gang, just wondering if anybody has had experience with importing a new portable propane BBQ into Cuba, and what the duty charge might be for me when I do the same end of June. I'll buy the 20 lb. tank there. All feedback welcome. Gracias.

Terry

What country is coming from, and what country was it made in? Duties and Tariffs are based on country of Origin for make, and country of Export.

mrmoto, thanks for your feedback, however I don't believe it matters at all what country of origin the item was manufactured, or what country I'm from (Canada) when importing items into Cuba. Cuban customs have set prices for duty payment when importing a plethora of various items... their lists don't discriminate between other details beyond the specific item in question, regardless of where it has come from or where it was made.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong... it's a rare thing, but it does happen from time to time. ;-)

Terry

Well if there is a duty/tariff on something made in China, to export to the USA, you can't ship it to Canada to get around the tariff/duty...thats why I say country of origin.

In Costa Rica for example, the differences in taxes/duties on a new item made in Korea, Japan, China, all vary greatly, with China getting favored trade status. Same with EU items, vs USA/Canada.

In CR, if you order a motorcycle part for a BMW and it comes from Atlanta, they still tax the based on country of origin it made it, Germany, because if it if resale, the BMW dealer in CR would import from Germany. Tax can be as as 100% of value...just saying.

Depending how they classify it, it will be either 50 or 80cuc. More likely the former. The latter is for a gas range.

Keep in mind you are allowed 50cuc duty free.

And what size would this BBQ be? Mammoth? And who amongst us might you be inviting over for some grilled delights? Do you make your own BBQ sauce? Doubtful it could be snuck in dismantled and unnoticed.

These questions and more!

Thanks for the heads-up, gres. And yes, I'll keep in mind that I'm allowed 50cuc duty free too. Hopefully I'll get out of the airport without having to pay anything... but I'm bringing a few other things too, so who knows.

Interestingly, someone else over on the TA Cuba forum pointed out to me that I might have a problem with connecting the new BBQ to the old style 20 lb. propane tanks there in Cuba. I'm going to take down a few tools with me to swap out the connector on the new hose if necessary. That's a good tip as well... I never thought of that.

Terry

Hey there CW, it's a Napoleon PRO285 TravelQ... a portable table-top BBQ that's still big enough to roast an entire turkey. It comes fully assembled in the box. You're invited for Christmas turkey dinner anytime, my friend. But bring your homemade BBQ sauce... and I'll supply the rum. ;0)

Terry

I did a quick search and, maybe the review i saw was wrong but it runs on natural gas and not propane.

If that is the case, you'll need to change the jets if you plan on using a propane tank.

I did something similar in Havana around 2001. Had to change the jets on a gas counter top from propane to natural gas. My wife's house has street gas. Cost me $5usd plus exchange of the jets. Could have been $2usd.... Don't remember.

gres, no this new BBQ that I've purchased definitely runs on a 20lb. propane tank. Yesterday I purchased a POL to QCC1/Type 1 old to new style propane tank refill adapter from Amazon... $9.99 CDN. The old style tanks connect with threads on the inside, while the new tanks connect with threads on the outside.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B074WC8ST4/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i1?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B074WC8ST4&pd_rd_r=d5ccd872-58fa-11e8-bf0b-2fcaf32ef7bc&pd_rd_w=Wg7Ji&pd_rd_wg=hmSsq&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=X9VZ61D1EEHCGCV4HRCB&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=07871b8e-d32a-4963-b98f-ba712077f7f5&pf_rd_i=desktop

It'll be delivered in week so all good now when dealing with those old-school 20lb. tanks in Cuba. I would have absolutely freaked out once there without the benefit of that adapter to properly connect and fire that puppy up. My Cuban wife, Judith, has also told me that she can get the 20lb. tank for us from the bodega as they're government supplied and filled with propane for peanuts. Membership has its privileges. ;)

Terry

Ah, ok.

It probably comes in both flavors.

Although i haven't hooked a tank up in Cuba in ages, I seem to recall the tank had outside threads. This was a much bigger tank than 20lb's.

Better to cover all your bases.

I will make a note of this since i am planning on bringing a big gaz BBQ to Cuba, next year.

Life would be easier if you just took a barbecue that burns charcoal but maybe they would want to tax that too.. I don't need gas barbecues. The charcoal takes much better!!!

Already received the adapter in the mail... it's exactly as advertised. And yes, gres, better to go with that in my pocket to be safe just in case. Also, you're right, that Napoleon PRO285 TravelQ can be converted to run on natural gas with the optional kit at extra cost.

Terry

spazmartindale, I already have a Weber charcoal BBQ there on our terrace in our back patio, but of course that charcoal takes time to get going, and when the electricity goes out in our barrio (as it does often), it will be so much better for my Cuban wife and I to have the luxury of an instantaneous alternate cooking surface as back-up. I agree, I like a good charcoal roasted feast too, but we'll save that now for when we do a whole cerdo on the spit for fiesta.

Terry

Having both is great. I'll be building a charcoal bbq big enough for the occasional cerdito or when we have a fiesta and bringing a gas one, which will be our every day cooker.

So what is the selection of good beef and pork there, and what are the prices?

So what is the selection of good beef and pork there, and what are the prices?

There is no really good beef in Cuba. What little beef there is comes from range cows, not grass or corn fed.

Pork is 1 CUC per pound. While Cuba is metric, all of the scales predate the metric system. Come early in morning and you have you choice of which cut you want. Later in the day one must accept what is left. At least it is fresh since there is seldom any refrigeration.

So you bbq chicken and fish, and pork?

Yes.... and beef, lobster, shrimps, corn, potatoes, peppers, and yuca.

Terry

Have fun with the grill, Terry. That will be a fabulous addition to the casa.

Plus, it's huge fun sneaking proper ribeyes past Aduana.

Cheers,
Terry

canned meats are allowable but who would want to put spam or dog food on a bbq?
Maybe only the dog. Lol!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, you'll have to give me a crash-course on how to properly sneak those ribeyes past Aduana. I know.... you could tell me... but then you'd have to..............

Hopefully you can make an exception in my case. I think I already know how, but always great to hear your thoughts about everything Cuba, amigo mio.

Terry

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