Office of Foreign Assets Control

OFAC Regulations and Attorneys

OFAC Information about Cuba Sanctions

Sanctions Guidance

• Overview of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations
• Treasury amends CACR - Initiative on Family Visits, Remittances, and Telecommunications 

Remittance Forwarding Service Providers

• A Notice Concerning Cuban Convertible Pesos

Licenses and Travel Transactions

• Comprehensive Guidelines for License Applications to Engage in Travel
• Request a Specific License for Travel under the Guidelines for License Applications
• Prepaid Tourist Packages are Prohibited
• Clarification of Travel Licenses for Religious Activities
• Request a Specific License to Visit an Immediate Family Member
• Cuban Remittance Affidavit Form
• Request for Release of Blocked Wire Transfers

Travel Service Providers and the Travel Industry

• Authorized Travel, Carrier, and Remittance Forwarding Service Providers 
• Computerized Reservation Systems (Cuba Travel)
• Guidance for Cuba Service Providers
• Summary of Travel, Carrier, and Remittance Forwarding Service Provider Program

Trade and Transport of Cuban Origin Goods

• Cuban Cigar Update

Transfer of claims Against Cuba

• OFAC has published a notice regarding the transfer of claims against Cuba certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission

General Licenses

• General License Related to Personal Communication Services
• General License for Publishing Activities
• General License on Agricultural Exports to Cuba (Cash in Advance)

Interpretative Guidance

• Computerized Reservation Systems (Cuba Travel)
• Publishing Activities Involving Manuscripts from Sanctioned Countries
• Publication Activities Performed by U.S. Newspapers
• Index of Interpretative Guidance

Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy

• Guidance On Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property And Interests In Property Are Blocked

Ask us for assistance. We can provide you with a legal assistance report featuring the contact information of qualified attorneys along with pricing of their services customized to your particular situation. We also offer Cuba consulting services to businesses and individuals seeking more information.

OFAC License Application for Travel to Cuba

The US government does not allow most American citizens to travel freely to Cuba. ALL Americans require either a general license or a specific license in order to travel to Cuba.

We offer a legal referral service for individuals and businesses seeking to apply for a license to travel to Cuba. We can help you understand if you qualify to travel under a general license or if you need to apply for a specific license to travel to Cuba. We can assist you with a variety of OFAC travel licensing issues:

• Request a New License
• Request an Extension/Renewal
• Request an Amendment
• Resume Application Process

Attorney Robert Muse writes an analysis about the new, less restrictive people to people travel to Cuba regulations.

Types of Allowable Cuba Travel

• Freelance Journalistic Activities
• Professional Research and Meetings
• Academic Activities from accredited U.S. Undergraduate/Graduate Degree-Granting Academic Institutions
• Academic Activities for Undergraduate/Graduate Students of an Accredited U.S. Academic Institution
• Religious Activities with religious organizations
• Public Performances, Athletic and Other Competitions, and Exhibitions
• Support for the Cuban People
• Humanitarian Projects
• Private Foundations and Educational and Research Institutes
• Exportation/Importation of Information and Informational Materials
• Exportation from the U.S. and Exportations of 100% U.S. - Origin Items from Overseas Entities
• Exportation from U.S. - Owned or Controlled Foreign Firms

Ask us for assistance. We can provide you with a legal assistance report featuring the contact information of qualified attorneys along with pricing of their services customized to your particular situation. We also offer Cuba consulting services to businesses and individuals seeking more information.

OFAC People to People License

Click on image above to see enlarged photo

Cuba Trade and Travel Restrictions

Allowable Cuba trade and travel activities (with many restrictions)

• Exporting US agricultural goods to Cuba
• Exporting US medicine, medical equipment and supplies
• Telecommunications services offered in Cuba by US based companies
• Importation and sale of Cuban art in the US
• Offering humanitarian missions to Cuba
• Providing charter flights to Cuba as a Carrier Service Provider
• Booking travel as a licensed Travel Service Provider
• Sending money to Cuba as a license Remittance Service Provider

The US imposes many restrictions on Cuba trade and travel but an easing of Cuba travel restrictions was just published in the Federal Register so American citizens have a bit more freedom to travel to Cuba.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has an information page about the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Act and the required licensing procedures. You will find descriptions regarding agricultural commodities that are eligible for export to Cuba. Vitamins, minerals, food additives, dietary supplements bottled water and some fertilizers are also eligible for export.

Sales of medicine, medical equipment and supplies to Cuba have many restrictions. The application process can be complicated and compliance must be taken seriously with regards to all exports to Cuba. You should seek competent legal advice from an experienced OFAC practice attorney.

It is legal to import and sell Cuban art in the United States. Attorney Robert Muse was kind enough to write up an official opinion for our Cuban art and Culture conference held in Provincetown Massachusetts in June 2011.

The Havana Journal maintains a list of Cuba Service Providers that includes Travel Service Providers, Carrier Service Providers and Remittance Providers.

Be sure to read OFAC attorney Erich Ferrari's Sanction Law blog to stay current on US sanctions against Cuba.

Wire Transfer Funds Blocked by OFAC

US banks have been known to block wire transfers for simply for containing the word Cuba or Havana. In order to unblock funds held by a US bank for "potential" Cuba sanctions violations, you will need the wiring party to file a Swift Tracer in order to find out where the funds are being blocked.

You may be able to follow this system yourself or contact us and we can refer you to a US attorney who specializes in releasing blocked wire transfers.

This OFAC attorney will be able to assist you with guidance for releasing funds and may have to fill out the OFAC application to release blocked funds.

Ask us for assistance. We can provide you with a legal assistance report featuring the contact information of qualified attorneys along with pricing of their services customized to your particular situation. We also offer Cuba consulting services to businesses and individuals seeking more information.

More OFAC Information

OFAC Events and Seminars by Region

Civil Penalties and Enforcement

Cuban Americans no longer have to apply for a Cuba Family Travel License using the electronic OFAC Fast Request.

OFAC News and Discussion Forum

Be sure to read Havana Journal's OFAC News and US Embargo News pages along with the US Embargo section at the Cuba Forum there.

Also, you can read about the General License for Cuban Americans traveling to Cuba at the Havana Journal along with the Cuban American Section and Cuban American forum there.

Failed "Plan A" Embargo"

In my opinion... For about fifty years the US has maintained a failed "Plan A" embargo thanks to financial contributions to US politicians from old Cuban exiles who selfishly benefit from USAID grants and other US taxpayer funds.

For this reason, the entire US population has to suffer restrictions on their freedoms of travel and trade.

So, all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. companies throughout the world are subject to fines and potential jail time for violating OFAC's Cuba sanctions unless they have a specific license or qualify to travel to Cuba under a general license.

Rob Sequin - owner of CubaLegalServices.com and publisher of the Havana Journal.

OFAC Practice Attorneys and Consulting

Our Cuba legal referral service can help you with:

• Compliance reviews
• Fines and Penalties
• Travel Service Provider license application
• Remittance Provider application
• Carrier Service Provider application

CubaLegalServices.com has a close working relationship with several attorneys and law firms that specialize in OFAC related matters such as audits, compliance reviews, opinion letters, specific Cuba travel license applications etc.

Ask us for assistance. We can provide you with a legal assistance report featuring the contact information of qualified attorneys along with pricing of their services customized to your particular situation. We also offer Cuba consulting services to businesses and individuals seeking more information.