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International Removals UK to Cuba

1st Move International are here to help with your international removals to Cuba. With almost over 25 years of experience in the overseas moving industry, we are leading the way with our unique packing and fast weekly shipping.

For faster shipping, safer packing and smarter pricing, get in touch with us or get your free quote and begin your moving journey to Cuba.

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We provide weekly guaranteed shipping to many destinations across the world. We also offer collections from all UK areas. Complete our quick and easy moving form to receive your free tailored quote for your Cuba removals.

How Much Does it Cost?

How Much Do International Removals to Cuba Cost?

Quick Answer

It’ll cost £1,498 on average for a small (shared container) international move to Cuba and £3,793 for a larger move (full 20ft container). The final price for your move will depend on the location, size, and services you need.

See our table below to find out our moving costs to Cuba.

International Removals Costs from the UK to Cuba 2024

Move Size Service Cost
Small Move / Boxes Groupage £625 - £725
Small Flat Shared Container £1,498 - £1,855
1-Bed House Shared Container £2,144 - £2,689
3-Bed House 20ft Container £3,793 - £4,079
4+ Bed House 40ft Container From £6,357

Important information about these moving costs

These costs don't include the price for collection, delivery, packing or loading so they should only be used as a guideline. To get your personalised quote for your removals to Cuba, complete our quick and easy form now.

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What Are My Shipping Options?

Your Shipping Options for Removals to Cuba

Find out the best shipping option for you.

Loading a Shared Container with 1st Move Pallets

Shared Container Shipping to Cuba

Choose our Shared Container shipping service if your move to Cuba is a smaller one, such as moving the contents of a 2-3 bedroom home. Shared container means you’ll share container space with others, but only pay for the space you need and not the whole container. We ship your items alongside commercial goods which guarantees weekly shipping to Cuba.

More About Shared Container Shipping
Loading a Full Container with 1st Move Pallets

Full Container Shipping to Cuba

You’ll need to use Full Container shipping if you’re shipping the contents of a 3-4+ bedroom home or a large volume of items. This shipping option gives you personal use of a 20ft or 40ft shipping container to minimise handling of your personal belongings. We’ll collect your items and pack and load them either at your home or in our warehouse.

More About Full Container Shipping
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Ready to Start Your Journey? Get Your Free International Removals Quote Today

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Why Choose 1st Move?

Unique Benefits of 1st Move International

Further Benefits

  • 25 years’ experience providing international moving services to Cuba
  • Members of the British Association of Removers
  • Members of the British International Freight Association
  • Modern fleet and fully trained packers and movers
  • Fully insured from your UK home to your destination in Cuba
  • Your own personal, dedicated move manager
  • Free UK storage up to the next scheduled sailing date
  • Electronic and Fast-Track customs clearance in the UK and Cuba
  • Faster weekly sailings to Cuba direct from UK ports
  • Track your transatlantic shipment live with 24/7 container tracking
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135,000+ Happy Customers
9,240,000+ Cubic Feet Shipped
25+ Years' Experience
Our Unique Packing

How We Pack For Your Move to Cuba

Our packing method is unique and guarantees safer and faster shipping.

After Before
Our Service

Our Removals Service to Cuba Includes:

Dedicated move manager

Get a personal move manager to walk you through the whole moving overseas process. From customs protocols to answering queries, they’re there to help.

Meet Our Team

Full moving insurance cover

Choose from a range of insurance options for your move. We’ve got basic coverage options right up to full coverage.

Our Insurance Options

Fast-track customs clearance

Benefit from Fast Track customs clearance thanks to our palletised packing and shipping system.

About Customs Clearance
Frequently Asked Questions

UK to Cuba Removals FAQ

An international move from the UK to Cuba takes 35 days from port to port. This doesn’t factor in the time for collection, packing and final delivery times.

Our removals to Cuba shipments sail from London Gateway.

We offer door-to-door moving services from the UK to Cuba, with collections from all UK destinations. Our agents in Mariel will arrange the final delivery to your new home in Cuba.

We ship to the port of Mariel in Cuba. On arrival, all goods will have to undergo customs clearance which will be handled with the help of our agents in Cuba. Once cleared you can collect directly from our warehouse or we can arrange onward delivery to most destinations, including Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Holguín, Guantánamo, Santa Clara, Arroyo Naranjo, Las Tunas, Bayamo, Pinar del Río and more.

You’ll have to provide us with the following documents so we can get you moved to Cuba:

  • Copy of your passport
  • Copy of your residency visa
  • Inventory list
  • Bill of Lading or Air Waybill. This document details items being moved and will be issued by us once your goods have left the UK.
  • Customs declaration
  • Residence Certificate

All documents can be uploaded via our secure document transfer page.

If you are a returning resident of Costa Rica and have lived abroad for at least two years, you might be eligible for the one-time benefit exemption of duties on personal effects and household items. Used household items such as appliances and furniture are typically duty-free if you can prove they are for your personal use and not to be sold. New items will be subject to customs duties between 10% and 40%, depending on the value of the new items, as well as a tax called Impuesto al Valor Agregado at 13%.

New residents will generally have to pay import taxes and duties on used household items. If you are on a retirement visa, you may qualify for duty-free household imports. Tourists and temporary visitors have to pay duties and taxes on household items.

You can find more information on FIDI’s Customs Guide to Costa Rica .

Yes, with our free container tracking tool, you can track the movement of your personal belongings from the UK to Cuba. Once it has left the UK port, you’ll get a unique tracking number.

Yes, it’s pretty straightforward to take your pet to Cuba with you. You must get the following documents and services to travel with your pet:

Key requirements:

  1. Vaccinations: Your pet must have their rabies vaccination at least 30 days before travelling, but no longer than 12 months. The Rabies Vaccination Certificate should be attached to their health certificate.
  2. International Health Certificate: Your pet will need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in the UK to confirm your pet is healthy, issued within 10 days before travel.
  3. Microchipping: It’s not a requirement, but getting your pet microchipped is recommended.

Yes, but it can be difficult to gain permanent residence. You can visit Cuba for up to 30 days on a Tourist visa and extend it for 30 days. The Work and Permanent Residence visas will let you move to Cuba permanently. For most visas in Cuba, you’ll need to adhere to the following criteria:

  • Hold a valid UK passport
  • Visa application form
  • Passport sized photos
  • Proof of financial situation
  • Proof of accommodation for a certain period
  • Employment contract
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Medical Certificate

While not a requirement, having valid health insurance is also advised.

The Work and Permanent Residence visa will allow you to live and work in Cuba. There are other short-term visas such as Business, Student, Family, Tourist and Journalist visas, but they only allow for 30-day stays with the potential to renew. We’ll list the most popular visa types and their requirements:

Work Permit

If you’re moving to Cuba for long-term employment, you can apply for the Work Visa. You can apply through the Cuban Embassy in the UK

Key Requirements:

  • A valid UK passport valid for 6 months
  • A valid work contract with an employer in Cuba or an international company based in Cuba
  • A work permit from the Cuban Ministry of Labor
  • Health insurance

Online information is limited, so for more information and details on how to apply, get in touch with the Cuban Embassy in London .

Permanent Residency

If you intend to live in Cuba permanently, you can apply for permanent residency. The process can be lengthy and you must meet the requirements.

Key Requirements:

  • A valid UK passport valid for 6 months
  • Proof of marriage to a Cuban citizen, proof of close family in Cuba or proof of long-term employment in Cuba
  • Evidence of financial stability
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Medical clearance checks
  • A completed permanent residency application form from the Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería
  • Proof of residence in Cuba

To apply for this visa you must contact the Cuban Embassy in London.

Living in Cuba

The quality of life in Cuba varies across different sections. Its healthcare and education are highly praised while economic opportunities and infrastructure face challenges. Food shortages are common in Cuba due to its rationing system, so this is something to keep in mind. Cuba is considered one of the safest places to live in Latin America due to low crime rates.

It’s 43% cheaper to live in Cuba than in the UK . Rent prices are 64% more affordable and groceries are 30% cheaper in Cuba. Housing and utilities are heavily subsidised by the government, meaning many Cubans own their own homes. Mean and dairy products can be more expensive in Cuba due to import costs.

Cuba offers free universal healthcare for all citizens and residents. The public pays taxes to fund the system and it’s run by the government. Cuba is often praised for its high-quality healthcare system, with high life expectancy and low infant mortality rates.

Often regarded as Cuba’s best aspect, education is free for all citizens from primary to university level. The country has a literacy rate of 99.8%, one of the best in the world. Education is state-run with the national curricula set by the Ministry of Education. The compulsory school age is 6 to 11 for primary school and 11 to 15 for secondary school. Instruction is in Spanish and there are limited English-only schools in Cuba. Many expats homeschool their children if they cannot speak Spanish.

Cuba’s socialist economic system and state-controlled economy mean that the majority of jobs are in the public sector. As the government is the top employer, the public sector is the largest industry in Cuba. Healthcare, education and agriculture are popular sectors that make up the economy. Tourism is a huge industry in Cuba, with hotels, restaurants and transportation relying on tourists. There is a current demand for English-speaking teachers in both public and private schools, which can be an ideal job for UK expats.

Your Pallets Packed - Posted Live on Facebook

Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.

We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.

Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.