Navigating the Complex Legal Issues
When Doing Business With Cuba
On December 17, 2014, President Obama made a historic announcement: “Today, the United States is taking historic steps to chart a new course in our relations with Cuba and to further engage and empower the Cuban people.” By January 16, 2015, both the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended its Cuban Assets Control Regulations, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations with a “Support for the Cuban People” license exception. Both OFAC and BIS’s new rules were effective as of January 16, 2015. OFAC and BIS issued additional new rules on June 15, 2015, July 22, 2015, September 21, 2015, January 27, 2016, March 15, 2016, October 14 2016, and November 9, 2017. The additional rules effective in 2017 reflect the Trump Administration’s position on doing business with Cuba.
The new changes announced provide a revision to the regulations and have a substantial impact on travel, telecom, building materials and agricultural equipment, financial services, personal importations. It is important to note the Cuban Embargo still stands, it will take an act of Congress to remove the Embargo. You should ensure you consult with a Customs and Trade Expert before engaging in ANY transactions with Cuba. Diaz Trade Law stays abreast of all of the changes to U.S. law and keeps our clients in tune with the changes and business opportunities.
New Regulations by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
Other Customs and Trade Legal Aspects Pertaining to Cuba
Lectures & Presentations
Jennifer Diaz regularly gives lectures and presentations on the legal issues associated to trade with Cuba. Here are several recent presentations she has given:
- Atlanta, GA, “Cuba Trade Opportunities: What You Should Know,” GTEC, NCBFAA, August 9, 2016.
- Cocoa Beach, FL, “Laws Regarding Commerce with Cuba,” Caribbean Shipping Association, May 16-18, 2016
- Puerto Rico, Commerce with Cuba: An Update on U.S. Laws, My Law CLE, April 29, 2016
- ABA, SIL, Spring Meeting, NY, “Cuba, Cuba, Cuba?”, April 12-16, 2016
- Compliance Online, “Cuba Sanctions: All You Need To Know”, March 31, 2016
- Prime Cigar, Boca Raton, “Unlocking the Barriers” Seminar on Trade with Cuba”, Nova Southeastern University, March 23, 2016
- Online Webinar, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), “Cuba,” December 3, 2015.
- Online Webinar, “Update on U.S. laws and business opportunities with Cuba,” National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), December 2, 2015.
- Miami, Florida, “Update on U.S. laws regarding commerce with Cuba,” Caribbean – Central American Action (CCAA) 39th Annual Conference, November 17, 2015.
- Miami, Florida, “Seminar Series for Compliance Professionals, Exporting from the U.S. & Cuba”, October 8, 2015
- Online Webinar, OWIT International, “Business Opportunities in Cuba, What’s Next?”, June 23, 2015.
- Miami, Florida, “Cuba: What’s Next?,” Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-South Florida), May 14, 2015.
- Tampa, Florida, “Meet the Expert,” International Trade Certification Program of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, May 12, 2015.
- Broward County, Florida, Urban Land Institute, Cuba – Infrastructure Needs and Opportunities for South Florida, April 29, 2015.
In the News
Jennifer Diaz has authored several articles and been quoted in many publications related to trade with Cuba. Here are a few examples:
- Cuba Policy Shift: Administration Eases Restrictions on Small Businesses, May 28, 2024
- Doing Business With Cuba: What You Need to Know, July 18, 2023
- FITT, “Start profiting in U.S.-Cuba trade by learning the latest rules and success stories:”, May 9, 2016
- FITT, “What you need to know about expanding your business into Cuba”, October 22, 2015
- Daily Business Review, Carnival to Cruise to Cuba, With Lots of Strings Attached, July 7, 2015
- Daily Business Review, “What Does End of Cuban Embargo Actually Mean,” January 6, 2015
To schedule a consultation, call 305-456-3830 or email info@diaztradelaw.com.
More Information on Trade with Cuba
- NON-COMMERCIAL AIRPLANES AND CRUISE SHIPS ON TEMPORARY SOJOURN ARE NOW PROHIBITED TO TRAVEL TO CUBA, June 4, 2019
- Trump Administration Tightens Cuba’s Sanctions Program, November 9, 2017
- President Trump Outlines New U.S. Policy on Cuba, June 16, 2017
- TRAVEL TO THE U.S. WITH AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CUBAN CIGARS AND RUM – COURTESY OF NEW REVISED OFAC AND BIS REGULATIONS, October 17, 2016
- CUBAN CIGARS SEIZED BY CBP, September 22, 2016
- First Commercial flight to Cuba Scheduled to Depart August 31, 2016!, August 12, 2016
- Build Your Own ‘People to People’ Mission & More Cuba Changes, March 15, 2016.
- Up to 110 Daily Flights from the U.S. to Cuba, February 23, 2016.
- Top 10 Changes with Cuba as a Result of MORE NEW Revised OFAC and BIS Regulations, February 5, 2016
- Update on U.S. Laws Regarding Commerce with Cuba, November 25, 2015
- “TOP 11 NEW Business Opportunities with Cuba as a Result of NEW OFAC and BIS Laws, September 28, 2015
- 3 Part Seminar Series You DON’T Want to Miss!, August 6, 2015
- Embassies and Island Wide Wi-Fi by July in Cuba, July 1, 2015.
- Doing Business in Cuba: What’s Next? Live Webinar, June 23, 2015.
- Top Impacts of Cuba Being Removed From “Terrorism List”, May 29, 2015.
- Hear How Companies are SUCCESSFULLY Doing Business with Cuba, May 14, 2015.
- In Tampa? Meet the Expert, May 12, 2015.
- OFAC Publishes NEW FAQ on Cuba, April 16, 2015.
- Urban Land Institute Discusses New Trading Opportunities with Cuba, April 2, 2015.
- Revised Cuba Regulations Officially Released, January 16, 2015.
- TOMORROW Updated Cuban Assets Control Regulations Take Effect, January 15, 2015.
- TOP Questions and Answers on Obama’s Cuba Announcement, December 19, 2014.
- Congressional Response to President Obama’s Announcement on Future Relations with Cuba, December 18, 2014.
- Business with Cuba – What’s Legal and What’s Not?, December 17, 2014.
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