Americans can now purchase Cuban cigars when traveling in another country. Ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba next week, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced that has eased various restrictions for Americans regarding Cuba. One of those changes will allow Americans traveling in other countries to consume Cuban-made goods, including Cuban cigars and alcohol. This change is different than the one passed in late 2014, which allowed those traveling to Cuba to bring back up to $100 of Cuban alcohol and tobacco products. The language in the new rules specifically indicates that any of the Cuban-origin goods purchased in a “third country,” i.e. not Cuba, are not able to be imported back to the U.S.: (emphasis ours) Dealings in merchandise subject to section 515.204, including Cuban-origin goods, for personal use. OFAC is adding section 515.585(c) to authorize individuals who are persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction and who are located in a third country to engage in the purchase or acquisition of merchandise subject to the prohibitions in section 515.204, including Cuban-origin goods, for personal consumption while in a third country, and to receive or obtain services from Cuba or a Cuban national that are ordinarily incident to ...
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