Philippine apparel sourcing guide
Import apparel from the Philippines to Cuba
Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to Cuba can source blank shirts and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate freight from the Philippines toward Havana and other commercial centers in Cuba. Final duties, permits, labelling, and product-safety obligations should be confirmed with a licensed broker or competent authority before shipment.
Why source apparel from the Philippines?
PHShirt combines export-ready garment production with direct access to established blank-shirt brands. Buyers can source Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse blanks or commission OEM/ODM runs with custom fabric, sizing, labels, printing, embroidery, and packaging.
- Flexible productionBlank-stock fulfillment and custom manufacturing from one supplier.
- Document coordinationCommercial invoice, packing list, and origin documents prepared to the agreed shipment.
- Human export supportOne sales contact from specification review through dispatch.
Shipping routes and cargo gateways to Cuba
Apparel from the Philippines reaches Cuba by containerized ocean freight into Mariel and Havana, by air cargo into José Martí and the regional airports, or by rail on the island's national network once a container is discharged. Because the Philippines has no through freight railway for export containers, finished cartons move by truck drayage to DICT, Manila, or Cebu before loading. Final routing depends on volume, Incoterm, carrier space, and the buyer's nominated forwarder.
Major international seaports (ocean container gateways)
Containerized FCL and LCL garment cargo leaves Philippine container terminals, transships at an Asian relay hub such as Singapore or Busan, then crosses the Panama Canal or the Atlantic toward a Cuban seaport. Mariel is now the country's main container terminal, while Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, and Matanzas serve the capital, the eastern provinces, and the south central and northern coasts.
Philippines departure seaports
Origin ports- Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Modern deep water container terminal in Panabo City on the Davao Gulf, in the same Davao del Norte corridor as the Hijo Industrial Estate and Special Economic Zone. Weekly feeders connect Mindanao apparel production to the trunk lines bound for the Caribbean.
- Port of Manila (MICT and South Harbor) PHMNL
The flagship Philippine container gateway, handling over 4.5 million TEUs a year. High frequency feeder loops connect Luzon garment factories with the ocean carriers that serve Cuba.
- Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas container consolidation hub linking garment plants in Mactan and the Cebu export zones with international feeder loops.
- Batangas International Port PHBTG
Alternative deep water container terminal in Southern Luzon serving the Calabarzon export manufacturing zones with expressway links that bypass Metro Manila traffic.
- Subic Bay International Container Port (NCT) PHSFS
Deep water Freeport container terminal serving Central and Northern Luzon industrial estates with dedicated highway access and streamlined customs export dispatch.
Cuba arrival seaports
Destination ports- Mariel Container Terminal (TC Mariel) CUMAR
Cuba's main container terminal, opened in January 2014 inside the Mariel Special Development Zone about 45 km west of Havana. A 702 meter berth with four super post-Panamax cranes and a channel dredged to about 18 meters lets it take neo-Panamax vessels, and it carries the largest share of the island's container volume.
- Port of Havana (Havana Container Terminal) CUHAV
The capital's historic port on Havana Bay and home to the Havana Container Terminal (TCH). Cargo operations are gradually shifting to Mariel while the bay front is redeveloped, and the approach channel limits draught to about 11 meters.
- Port of Santiago de Cuba CUSCU
The main seaport of eastern Cuba, serving Santiago de Cuba and the surrounding provinces with general and container cargo.
- Port of Cienfuegos CUCFG
A large deep water port on the south central coast, with an industrial and petrochemical base behind the quays and rail links into the interior.
- Port of Matanzas CUQMA
A northern coast port east of Havana near Varadero, handling bulk, general, and some container cargo for the western and central provinces.
Major international airports (air cargo gateways)
Air freight suits urgent season launches, pre production samples, and time sensitive restocks. Most Philippine air cargo reaches Cuba through a Middle Eastern, European, or Caribbean hub with belly and freighter capacity. Aerovaradero S.A., the Cuban aviation corporation's air freight operator, runs cargo stations in Havana, Varadero, Gerona, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, and Holguín.
Philippines departure airports
Origin air cargo- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA cargo) MNL / RPLL
Primary air cargo gateway of the Philippines. Scheduled widebody freighters and passenger belly cargo connect to Cuba through Middle Eastern, European, and Caribbean hubs.
- Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Central Luzon express air logistics center with integrator hubs for express courier networks and round the clock customs export processing.
- Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air gateway with belly cargo on international passenger services and freighter charters for the Cebu export zones.
- Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao) DVO / RPMD
Mindanao's main international airport and the closest air cargo point for Davao and Tagum production, with belly cargo and domestic feeder connections to Manila.
Cuba arrival airports
Destination air cargo- José Martí International Airport (Havana) HAV / MUHA
Cuba's principal international gateway, in the Boyeros district about 15 km southwest of central Havana. ECASA operates the airport and its dedicated freight terminal, and the air cargo operator Aerovaradero runs the bonded air freight station on site.
- Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport (Varadero) VRA / MUVR
Cuba's second largest airport, at Varadero in Matanzas province, combining international passenger belly capacity with a nearby Aerovaradero air freight station.
- Antonio Maceo International Airport (Santiago de Cuba) SCU / MUCU
The main airport of eastern Cuba at Santiago de Cuba, with an air freight station serving the eastern provinces.
- Frank País International Airport (Holguín) HOG / MUHG
Holguín's international airport in the east, with an Aerovaradero cargo station and connections toward the northern coast.
- Abel Santamaría International Airport (Santa Clara) SNU / MUSC
Santa Clara's international airport in central Cuba, an Aerovaradero cargo station and a useful waypoint for distribution toward the middle of the island.
Rail cargo and intermodal corridors
Rail is the main inland leg once a container is discharged at a Cuban seaport. Ferrocarriles de Cuba runs a standard gauge network across the island that connects the six first level ports, though services can be infrequent and subject to operational constraints. On the Philippine side, no through freight railway serves export containers, so the origin inland leg is road drayage.
Philippine rail and road drayage
Origin inland leg- Road drayage to the container terminal
The Philippines has no through freight railway network for export containers, so finished cartons move by truck from the production floor to DICT, Manila, or Cebu for loading. This is the standard first leg for Mindanao apparel.
Where a buyer forwarder prefers rail or combined transport on the export side, PHShirt coordinates with the nominated carrier. Review the freight options on the rail transport services page.
Cuba rail cargo network
Destination inland leg- Ferrocarriles de Cuba
Cuba's national railway, standard gauge and spanning roughly 4,200 km from Pinar del Río in the west to Guantánamo in the east. It is the only island wide rail system in the Caribbean and joins the six first level ports: Havana, Mariel, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Nuevitas, and Santiago de Cuba.
- Havana to Santiago de Cuba main line
The principal line runs the length of the island from Havana through Santa Clara and Camagüey to Santiago de Cuba, linking the capital and the main inland cities with the eastern ports.
- Havana to Mariel double track
A double track line links Havana with the Mariel Special Development Zone and its container terminal, moving containers between the quay and the capital.
- Hershey Electric Railway
Cuba's only electrified line runs from Havana toward Matanzas through the Hershey area, carrying commuter and regional traffic on the western corridor.
Sanctions and compliance note: Cuba is subject to a United States trade embargo. A vessel that calls at a Cuban port can face restricted entry to US ports for 180 days under an OFAC rule, and the Mariel container terminal and its recent operator have been OFAC designated. Direct Philippines to Cuba sailings are limited, so cargo commonly transships through Panama, Mexico, Spain, or a Caribbean hub. Confirm the current sanctions position, carrier eligibility, and documentation with a licensed broker or forwarder before booking.
Landed-cost & Trade Framework for Cuba
A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode.
- Trade Framework
- Standard WTO Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Tariff Schedule
- Duty & Customs Guide
- Duties assessed according to destination MFN tariff rates for HS Chapter 61 (Knitted) and Chapter 62 (Woven). Commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading/AWB required.
- Recommended Fabrics
- 160-200 GSM premium cotton blanks, custom cut-and-sew apparel, and custom brand packaging.
- Destination currency
- Cuban Peso (CUP)
- Freight variables
- Chargeable weight or cubic volume, fuel and security surcharges, terminal fees, brokerage, insurance, and inland delivery.
Compliance checkpoints for Cuba
These checkpoints are planning prompts, not a substitute for a binding tariff ruling or legal advice. Confirm the exact product scope before production labels and packaging are approved.
- Destination-country textile labelling rules
- General product-safety and consumer protection requirements
HS classification starting points
Most apparel begins in Chapter 61 or 62. Fiber composition, knit versus woven construction, gender, garment type, and intended use determine the final tariff line.
- HS Chapter 61 - knitted or crocheted apparel
- HS Chapter 62 - woven apparel
- Confirm the 6–10 digit tariff line with a licensed customs broker
Documents commonly prepared
Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.
- 01Commercial invoiceSeller, buyer, goods, values, currency, Incoterm, and payment details.
- 02Packing listCartons, quantities, sizes, net and gross weight, and dimensions.
- 03Transport documentBill of lading, sea waybill, or air waybill issued for the shipment.
- 04Supporting certificatesOrigin, testing, inspection, or preferential documents when required.
MOQ, timing, and payment
Production starts after specification, sample or artwork, price, payment, and delivery terms are approved in writing.
- Minimum order
- 50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
- Production lead time
- 3–6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional
- Typical payment structure
- Bank transfer; documentary collection or letter of credit may be agreed for qualified larger orders
Importing from the Philippines to Cuba: FAQ
Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.
What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to Cuba?
50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
How long does shipping from the Philippines to Cuba take?
The planning estimate for sea freight is 22–45 days. Production normally takes 3–6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional. Carrier schedules, customs, transshipment, and inland delivery can change the final timeline.
Which HS codes commonly apply to apparel imported into Cuba?
Knitted or crocheted apparel generally begins in HS Chapter 61, while woven apparel generally begins in Chapter 62. A licensed customs broker should confirm the final tariff line from the garment construction, fiber content, use, and destination tariff schedule.
Can PHShirt supply custom labels and packaging for Cuba?
Yes. OEM/ODM orders can include buyer-approved size labels, care labels, brand labels, hangtags, folding, polybags, and carton marks, subject to the destination's current labelling and packaging rules.
Which Incoterms can be quoted?
PHShirt can discuss common Incoterms such as EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, or CIF depending on the route and forwarder arrangement. The final quotation identifies the named place and Incoterms 2020 rule.
Discuss a shipment to Cuba
Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination city.
Reference sources
- UN M49 country and region reference
- ISO 3166 country-code reference
- ISO 4217 currency reference
- WTO tariff information
- World Customs Organization Harmonized System overview
- Country Codes dataset provenance
Last reviewed: 2026-09-28. Requirements change; verify current rules before contracting freight or producing labels.