Container Shipping Rates from Vietnam to Cuba by Sea 2026
Container shipping from Vietnam to Cuba by sea includes ocean freight, carrier surcharges, feeder charges and local charges at both ends. Because of the US embargo, cargo from Vietnam to the port of Mariel is not transshipped via the United States but usually via the Kingston hub (Jamaica), with transit times of about 60–74 days (schedules checked on 6 October 2026).
I. What does the cost of shipping a container to Cuba include?
When calculating container shipping costs to Cuba, shippers should note that the cost structure on this lane differs clearly from typical routes to the Americas. Because cargo does not pass through US ports, there are no ISF filing fees or in-bond procedures. The cost groups include:
Cost group | Breakdown |
Main-leg ocean freight | Main-leg freight from Vietnamese ports (Hai Phong - Nam Dinh Vu, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau) to international transshipment hubs. |
Carrier surcharges | BAF (bunker), PSS (peak season), GRI and route-specific risk surcharges. |
Dedicated feeder charges | Connection charges from the Caribbean transshipment hub (Kingston, Jamaica) to the port of Mariel (Cuba). This is usually a high-cost segment because feeder services into Cuba are limited. |
Local charges at both ends | THC, B/L, seal and telex release fees at the ports of loading and discharge. |
II. What are current reference rates to Cuba?
There is no public rate sheet for sea freight to Cuba on the spot market (spot rate index). Because of the embargo, few carriers accept cargo to Cuba. Actual rates depend directly on the carrier's space allocation and its feeder schedule from Jamaica to Cuba.
For an accurate all-in estimate and to minimise the risk of delay-related charges, businesses should confirm their shipping plan directly with a provider that holds a contract on this specialised lane.
Need a container quote to Cuba? Send H-Cargo your port of loading, container type, commodity and cargo-ready date - our team will quote with routing, surcharges and a clear validity period. Get a quote now
III. Which port does cargo to Cuba arrive at, and how long does it take?
Many shippers search for container rates to Havana, but since 2014 Cuba's international container traffic has moved from the port of Havana to the Terminal de Contenedores de Mariel (code CUMAR), about 45 km west of Havana.
According to schedules published on IQAX Big Schedules (checked on 6 October 2026), services from Vietnam to Mariel are mainly operated by CMA CGM via transshipment; schedules can change from week to week:
Port of loading (POL) | Port of discharge (POD) | Actual transshipment routing | Carrier | Transit time |
Hai Phong (Nam Dinh Vu)
| Mariel (TC Mariel)
| Transshipment via Qingdao/Shekou (China) → Kingston (Jamaica) → Mariel | CMA CGM | 60 – 74 days (depending on the connection)
|
Ho Chi Minh City
| Mariel (TC Mariel)
| Transshipment via Asian ports → Kingston → Mariel | CMA CGM | 62 – 69 days
|
Vung Tau (Cai Mep)
| Mariel (TC Mariel)
| PEX2 service plus feeder | CMA CGM | 69 days
|
IV. How does the US 180-day embargo rule affect sea freight?
The core issue when shipping cargo to the port of Mariel is compliance with the US Cuban Democracy Act (the Torricelli Act).
The 180-day rule: under the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (Torricelli Act), a vessel that has entered a Cuban port to trade goods may not load or unload freight at a US port within 180 days of leaving Cuba, unless licensed by OFAC.
How carriers operate: transoceanic mother vessels generally do not call at Cuba so they can keep calling at US ports. According to the schedules checked, CMA CGM brings cargo to the Kingston hub (Jamaica) and then transfers it to intra-Caribbean feeder vessels into Mariel.
Avoid routings via the US: cargo destined for Cuba should not be transshipped through or carried on vessels calling at US ports (such as Miami or Port Everglades), as it may fall under US sanctions and be held. Confirm the routing with the carrier before booking.
V. What should you watch out for when shipping to Cuba?
When performing export contracts and booking vessels to Cuba, businesses should note:
State import entities: imports into Cuba are largely managed centrally through trading companies under Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX). Identify the receiving legal entity precisely so that all documents are consistent.
International payment channels: financial sanctions restrict transactions in US dollars (USD). Exporters often use euros (EUR) or payment channels suggested by their bank; discuss with your bank before signing the contract.
Long transit times: with total voyage times of 60 to over 70 days, cargo should be packed to resist moisture, with container dunnage and lashing suitable for long ocean voyages to prevent condensation damage (container sweat).
Insight from the H-Cargo team: on the Cuba lane, the first thing we check is not the price but the routing: the carrier, the transshipment port and whether the vessel calls at a US port. Only then do we review the buyer's documents and payment channel, because mistakes at these steps can leave a shipment stuck at the transshipment port for a long time.
Related articles:
- Container shipping rates from Vietnam to Jamaica by sea 2026
- Container shipping rates from Vietnam to Costa Rica by sea 2026VI. What documents and procedures apply to imports into Cuba?
Customs clearance at the port of Mariel is controlled by Cuban Customs (Aduana General de la República) with the following requirements:
Item | Requirements |
Supervising authority | Cuban Customs together with authorised foreign trade companies under MINCEX. |
Core documents | Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Original Bill of Lading. |
Certificate of Origin (C/O) | A C/O issued in Vietnam is usually requested by Cuban partners to establish origin; confirm with the consignee before shipment. |
Specialised quarantine | Agricultural and food products must have a Phytosanitary Certificate and meet the biosafety standards of Cuba's Ministry of Agriculture. |
VII. Frequently asked questions
1. How long does sea freight from Vietnam to Cuba take?
From Hai Phong, the voyage to Mariel takes 60 to 74 days depending on the connection via Qingdao or Shekou. From Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau, actual transit takes about 62 to 69 days.
2. Do vessels to Cuba call at US ports?
Usually not. Because of the 180-day rule under the Torricelli Act, carriers moving cargo from Vietnam to Cuba do not call at US ports but transship via the Kingston hub (Jamaica).
3. Can I ship LCL cargo to Cuba?
LCL can be arranged, but transit takes longer than FCL because cargo must be deconsolidated and reconsolidated at Caribbean transshipment hubs before entering the port of Mariel.
4. Should the destination port be Havana or Mariel?
When filing declarations and registering the bill of lading, the destination port should be stated as Terminal De Contenedores Del Mariel (port code CUMAR), because the port of Havana no longer receives international container vessels.
VIII. Conclusion
Container shipping costs to Cuba cannot be compared on a single figure: the carrier, the transshipment port and US embargo rules determine the total cost and the arrival date in Mariel. Before confirming, ask for a quote that separates ocean freight, surcharges, local charges, routing and validity, and align the document set with your consignee. The H-Cargo team advises on routing and quotes shipment by shipment for Caribbean lanes.
Author: Navy Ngo - Marketing Specialist
Contact us for a free consultation:
H-Cargo International Logistics
· 113-115 Ung Van Khiem St., Ward Thanh My Tay, Ho Chi Minh City
· Tel: +84 888 909 186
· Email: jack.tran@hcargovn.com
· Web: www.hcargovn.com
References: IQAX Big Schedules (VNHPH/VNSGN/VNVUT - CUMAR schedules, checked 06/10/2026); U.S. Department of the Treasury - OFAC, Cuba Sanctions; Cuban Democracy Act 1992 (22 U.S.C. 6005); Aduana General de la República de Cuba. Information is for reference only and is not a quotation or legal advice; check schedules, surcharges and regulations at the time of shipment. This article was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by H-Cargo specialists.
Comments