“The regulations are more extensive than I thought.”

SR. MGR. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, LOGISTICS, ATLANTA

Cuba Sanctions Summary

In 2015, the U.S. Government began easing some Cuba sanctions, including restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba after many years of almost a total ban that goes back to the early 1960s. However, in June 2017, President Trump announced that he would be walking-back and re-implementing some of the regulations that had been eased. These include the need to hire authorized tour or travel guides while visiting Cuba and the need to avoid any hotels, shops, restaurants and other businesses linked to the Cuban military.

While use of U.S. credit and debit cards by travelers is now allowed, U. S. persons are still generally prohibited from doing business with Cuba unless licensed by OFAC. An OFAC general license authorizes the export and re-exportation from third-party countries of U.S. origin goods from the United States, but only in cases where the transactions are authorized by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Any authorized materials export to Cuba may be assembled in Cuba only if the assembly does not include materials of Cuban origin. U.S. persons are also authorized to import certain goods produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs as determined by the State Department’s list.

Below is a list of Executive Orders, Statutes, Regulations and Federal Register Notices related to Cuba Sanctions that are still in effect:

Cuba Sanctions: Executive Orders

  • 12854 Implementation of the Cuban Democracy Act (Effective Date—July 4, 1993)

Cuba Sanctions: Statutes

  • Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA), 8 U.S.C. § 1189, 18 U.S.C. § 2339B
  • Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (CDA), 22 U.S.C. §§ 6001-6010
  • Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996, 22 U.S.C. §§ 6021-6091
  • Sections 5 and 16 of the Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA), 50 U.S.C. App. §§ 5, 16
  • Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA), 22 U.S.C. §§ 7201-7211

Cuba Sanctions: Code of Federal Regulations

  • 31 CFR Part 515—Cuban Assets Control Regulations

Cuba Sanctions: Federal Register Notices

  • 82 FR 51998 – November 2017 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 81 FR 71372​ – October 2016 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 81 FR 13989—March 2016 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 81 FR 4583—January 2016 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 80 FR 56915—September 2015 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 80 FR 34053—Amendment to the Terrorism List Government Sanctions Regulations
  • 80 FR 2291-15—January 2015 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 77 FR 71530-12—2012 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 76 FR 5072-11—2011 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 75 FR 10997-10—Amendments to authorize certain types of exportation
  • 74 FR 46000-09—2009 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 68 FR 14141-03—2003 Amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
  • 66 FR 36683-01—Exports of Agricultural Products, Medicines, and Medical Devices to Cuba, Sudan, Libya, and Iran; Cuba Travel-Related Transactions

Note: This information is provided for reference only.

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