E-commerce debuts in Cuba

Cuba-shop.com allows anyone to buy Cuban goods.

By Lucia Newman
CNN Havana Bureau

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- For a country in which rumbling bulky 1950s Chryslers, Fords and Studebakers are some of the fastest machines around, Cuba seems an unlikely place to find electronic commerce.

Nevertheless, the Cuban Web site -- www.cuba-shop.com -- is proof that 21st century technology has indeed found a niche in this island nation.

The site allows anyone -- including Americans, who are prohibited by the U.S. government from doing business with Cuba -- to buy Cuban goods.

Brand-name refrigerators and dishwashers, bicycles, electric fans, diapers and perfumes are just a few of the items available at this online store, which launched a year ago.

Cubanacan, Cuba’s multi-purpose, state-owned tourism corporation administers the site, but all purchases are processed in Canadian currency through the Canada-based Careebe Consolidated Management Co.

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So, while customers are not technically making payments directly to Cuba, it is Cubanacan that ultimately receives the money through its Canadian intermediary.

This triangular arrangement allows Americans to circumvent a nearly 40-year-old U.S. economic embargo against its southern neighbor.

Octavio Yndart, cuba-shop.com’s chief information officer, said the site is especially popular among shoppers seeking to enjoy Cuba’s famous cigars or rum.

"We have a lot of people who like Cuban products and want to receive them when they return to their home country," Yndart said, noting that about 15 to 20 purchases are made on the site daily.

When pressed, however, he conceded that the vast majority of the patrons are, in fact, Cuban citizens.

The U.S. government allows Cuban-Americans wishing to assist relatives in Cuba to send money to the island, but limits the amount to $1,200 year.

Through cuba-shop.com, Cuban-Americans can spend more than that limit.

A caveat: Economic sanctions imposed against Cuba prohibit U.S. nationals and permanent residents from buying or selling goods in which the Cuban government or a Cuban national has an interest. Those who violate these laws can be punished with fines and even imprisonment.

Merchandise purchased from www.cuba-shop.com is delivered anywhere in Cuba’s Havana province within five days. Items destined for other countries are guaranteed to be delivered within 15 days.

So while Cuba may not be willing to update its poltical system, it certainly appears ready to explore new ways of doing business.

-- Laurence Wallace contributed to this report.