In this paper, we show that substrate specificity is primarily conferred on human mitotic cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) by their subcellular localization. The difference in localization of the B-type cyclin–CDKs underlies the ability of cyclin B1–CDK1 to cause chromosome condensation, reorganization of the microtubules, and disassembly of the nuclear lamina and of the Golgi apparatus, while it restricts cyclin B2–CDK1 to disassembly of the Golgi apparatus. We identify the region of cyclin B2 responsible for its localization and show that this will direct cyclin B1 to the Golgi apparatus and confer upon it the more limited properties of cyclin B2. Equally, directing cyclin B2 to the cytoplasm with the NH₂ terminus of cyclin B1 confers the broader properties of cyclin B1. Furthermore, we show that the disassembly of the Golgi apparatus initiated by either mitotic cyclin–CDK complex does not require mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) activity.