How to Legally Sell Food to Cuba as a U.S. Vendor

How to Legally Sell Food to Cuba as a U.S. Vendor

If you run a U.S. business and are thinking about exporting food, hygiene products, or OTC medicine to Cuba, you've probably heard that "the embargo blocks everything." The reality is different. A clear legal framework makes it possible, and thousands of transactions happen every year under that framework. Here's how it works.

The Legal Framework That Makes It Possible

The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA), codified at 22 U.S.C. § 7207, is the federal law that since 2000 has permitted the commercial sale of food, agricultural products, and medicine from U.S. companies to Cuba.

This is not a temporary license or a government program that can be easily canceled – it is federal law. Transactions that comply with the TSRA are covered by an OFAC general license, meaning you don't need to apply for an individual permit for each sale.

What Can I Sell Under the TSRA?

As a U.S. vendor, you can sell:

• Shelf-stable food – grains, rice, beans, oils, canned goods, powdered dairy, non-alcoholic beverages, processed meats
• Personal hygiene products – soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants, feminine hygiene, skin care
• OTC medicines – pain relievers, vitamins, cold & flu, antacids, first aid (FDA-approved)

What you cannot sell: alcohol, tobacco, technology, electronics, prescription (Rx) medications, or dual-use products.

Who Can I Sell To in Cuba?

You can only sell to qualified Cuban entities – not to individual consumers. Eligible buyers include:

• MiPYMEs (Cuban private micro, small, and medium-sized businesses)
• Agricultural and consumer cooperatives
• NGOs and humanitarian organizations
• State importers such as ALIMPORT
• Religious institutions with documented humanitarian needs

On AquiCargo, all buyers are pre-verified through KYB before they can send you a request. You will never receive an RFQ from an unverified entity.

What Are the Steps to Start Selling?

1. Register on AquiCargo as a vendor – complete your profile with company information, product categories, and export capacity
2. Pass KYB verification – we verify your business identity, registration, OFAC compliance history, and export capacity
3. Set up your storefront – upload your product catalog with specifications, minimum order quantities, and reference pricing
4. Receive Requests for Quotation (RFQs) – verified buyers send specific requests with quantities, specs, and required delivery dates
5. Respond with a quote – price, payment terms, delivery timeline, and export documentation included
6. Close the deal in the Deal Room – all negotiation and documentation is recorded on the platform
7. Export with complete documentation – AquiCargo guides you through EEI (Electronic Export Information) preparation and other required documents

Why Use AquiCargo Instead of Going It Alone?

You can try to export to Cuba on your own. But the reality is that most U.S. vendors who try solo face these obstacles:

• They don't know how to find verified, trustworthy Cuban buyers
• They fear making an OFAC compliance mistake that results in fines
• Cuba-specific export documentation is different from other markets
• They have no system to manage quotes, negotiations, and payments in an organized way

AquiCargo is the commercial infrastructure that connects your company with KYB-verified Cuban buyers.

How Much Does It Cost to Operate on AquiCargo as a Vendor?

There are two vendor membership levels:

• Active Vendor – $799/year + 0.75{1afa9a343fe0eba78aa34d34b98484f3d6cf05d9d25bb99e243a350cf0ca4f54} coordination fee per transaction (cap $15,000)
• Priority Vendor – $1,499/year + 0.25{1afa9a343fe0eba78aa34d34b98484f3d6cf05d9d25bb99e243a350cf0ca4f54} coordination fee per transaction (cap $15,000) + preferred positioning in searches and RFQs

The coordination fee is the only commission we charge – no additional fees for sales, product listings, or buyer communications.

Frequently Asked Questions for Vendors

Do I need prior experience exporting to Cuba?

It's not required, but basic international export experience is recommended. AquiCargo guides you through Cuba-specific documentation, but the responsibility for the export rests with the vendor as the exporter of record.

How are payments handled?

U.S. – Cuba payments have specific requirements under OFAC regulations. AquiCargo is not a payment processor, but we guide you on authorized channels. Currently the most common methods are advance payment and letters of credit through banks licensed to operate with Cuba.

What happens if a buyer doesn't pay?

AquiCargo has a formal dispute process. Additionally, each buyer's payment history is visible to verified vendors, allowing you to assess risk before accepting an RFQ.

Can I list products we manufacture directly?

Yes. U.S. manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers can all register as vendors. If you manufacture the product directly, you have a significant competitive pricing advantage.

How long does vendor verification take?

Active and Priority vendors go through full KYB verification, which typically takes 5 to 7 business days. The free Basic tier has a simplified verification process.

Ready to access the Cuban market legally? Register as a vendor and start receiving requests from verified buyers.