The Grupo Empresarial Correos de Cuba (GECC) has pointed fingers at private small businesses with which it has contracts for the delays in international package deliveries. "The Empresa de Mensajería y Cambio Internacional (EMCI) informs and clarifies to its customers that if, when tracking a shipment code on the Correos de Cuba website or APK www.correos.cu, the last event shows the phrase 'FACTURADO A MIPYME,' you should contact the phone numbers of the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (Mipymes) responsible for the service contracted by the origin courier agencies, which are in charge of delivering the packages to recipients in Cuba," they wrote in a Facebook post.
With this communication, the GECC attempts to "wash its hands" of the issue concerning delays in international deliveries, a service that has faced substantial criticism for many years. Several users voiced their concerns in the comments section of the post, sharing their personal experiences.
"They need to solve the delay problem. Packages take too long. What's the point of tracking them so much if they don't move from 'classified' to 'invoiced'? And when you finally pick them up, they're damaged," one user complained.
Specifically addressing the information provided in the GECC post, another user asked, "So if the package is invoiced to a Mipyme, they handle the delivery, charging an additional fee, I imagine. What if I don't want that and prefer to pick it up at the post office like I always have?" To which the institutional account responded, "The delivery of packages by Mipymes to recipients in Cuba is a contractual decision made by the origin country operator, not by Correos de Cuba."
One Cuban woman shared her unfortunate experience with an international shipment. "In October of (20)23, I was sent a certified invitation letter from Spain and received it in September of (20)24. Since it was a surprise, I couldn't do anything but wait, with the letter expiring and no right to any type of claim," she recounted.
Last August, Correos de Cuba confirmed on its social media that a lack of fuel is causing significant delays in package deliveries across the country, leading to missed deadlines and package backlogs, ultimately preventing urgent deliveries from reaching those in need.
Understanding the Delays in Cuban Postal Services
The following questions and answers aim to shed light on the ongoing issues with international package deliveries in Cuba, highlighting the role of private enterprises and the broader challenges faced by the postal service.
Why is Correos de Cuba blaming private enterprises for delivery delays?
Correos de Cuba claims that private small businesses (Mipymes) contracted for delivery services are responsible for the delays, as they handle the final distribution of packages.
What should customers do if their package is marked 'FACTURADO A MIPYME'?
Customers should contact the phone numbers of the Mipymes listed, as they are responsible for the delivery of such packages.
Can customers choose not to use Mipymes for package delivery?
No, the decision to use Mipymes for delivery is made by the origin country operator, not by Correos de Cuba, so customers cannot opt-out.
What other factors are contributing to the delivery delays?
Correos de Cuba has cited a lack of fuel as a major factor causing delays and backlogs in package deliveries across the country.