The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated its FAQs for Cuba on April 21, 2016 with substantive guidance that addresses U-turn transactions, export policy, insurance, educational and humanitarian activities and leasing of property in Cuba. U-Turn Rules. OFAC amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) on March 16, 2016…
In advance of President Obama’s highly publicized trip to Cuba, the Administration took additional steps to ease restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba. These changes to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) have implications for the banking sector, shippers, the travel industry and other…
On January 27, 2016 the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) published amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (Link) and Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) (Link). These amendments further loosen aspects of the Cuba embargo…
On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order making it easier for US telecommunications companies seeking authority to provide services to Cuba. In its order, the FCC removed Cuba from what is known as the Exclusion List, which identifies countries that require separate licensing by the FCC. Typically, the FCC…
On Monday, September 21, 2015, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) took coordinated action to further ease U.S. restrictions on trade with Cuba and Cuban nationals. OFAC amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR),…
On July 22, 2015, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) implementing the Secretary of State’s May 29, 2015 decision to rescind the designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The removal of Cuba from Country Group…
As previously reported, the Obama Administration is actively continuing its rapprochement with Cuba, most recently removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. However, despite this consistent push from the Administration and the strong interest of the U.S. business community to enter the Cuba market as quickly as…
Today the State Department issued a press release announcing that the Secretary of State has finalized the removal of Cuba from the official U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, effective May 29: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/05/242986.htm. Although this is an important step forward, it does not automatically eliminate any of the current…
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) granted specific licenses to operate passenger/cargo ferries from the United States to Cuba earlier this week. Havana Ferry Partners LLC announced on its Facebook page on May 5, 2015 that it had received approval from both OFAC and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of…
Tuesday, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation released the FY 2016 Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill which will be considered by the subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation includes provisions which would, in essence, bar the U.S. government from recertifying any airline or cruise line…