White House to Lift Travel Restrictions on Alcohol from Cuba

The White House has issued a policy directive intended to promote
“authorized engagements with Cuba to advance cooperation on areas
of mutual interest, and increase travel to, commerce with, and the
free flow of information to Cuba.” To this end, the Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department
of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security have announced
amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and Export
Administration Regulations that will lift restrictions on travelers bringing
Cuba-origin alcohol, cigars and other products back to the United States
for personal use.

According to the announcement, OFAC considers “personal use” of
imported merchandise “to include giving the item to another individual
as a personal gift, but not the transfer of the item to another person for
payment or other consideration.” In addition, the new rules permit a
range of specific healthcare, humanitarian, trade, and commerce transactions,
and authorize “exports of certain consumer goods that are sold
online or through other means directly to eligible individuals in Cuba for
their personal use.”

“The U.S. private sector, scientific and medical researchers, agriculture
industry, foundations, and other groups have new avenues for collaboration
that can provide opportunities for Cuban entrepreneurs, scientists,
farmers, and other professionals,” states the policy directive. “At the
same time, increased access to the internet is boosting Cubans’ connectivity
to the wider world and expanding the ability of the Cuban people,
especially youth, to exchange information and ideas.”

Issue 619