Ninja

IM me. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

American politicians are nuts. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

No, not for buying out of the US and shipping into the US. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

And you were not questioned. Others on trip advisor have too. This does not make it correct nor the safest thing to do. 2 things here: First, many airport Immigration and customs agents are not fully aware of the regs and the details. I have had to use the Treasury department site to educate a customs agent on the Canadian boarder because she did not understand any of the rules and wanted to understand how a person could go. Education levels vary. Also, if you do not have the X on your APC receipt, they sometimes don't even as you why you went, and aren't really looking. If you have the X, then at the gate they can be more investigative. Also, Obama seemed to have an "it doesn't matter" attitude passed down to Immigration. If Trump tightens that, they may look harder, and why put yourself at risk for checking the incorrect category. Second, violations, requests for proof, fines, etc usually come from the Treasury department. They may arrive up to 5 years after your trip. You are required to keep your records for that long, even for individual people to people travel. So, if requested you would need to show the proof for the Support of the Cuban People to the Treasury department and OFAC. Customs and Immigration can and do send notice to OFAC around activity that they deem suspicious or unqualifying. And also, because of the 5 year statue, you are not yet officially out of the woods on potentially having to provide justification of your trip. That said, why take the risk when you can just as easily check the correct box, people to people travel.... the one Obama expanded.... and have a much easier time justifying your trip if you are ever asked to do so? And no matter what, expect management 101 to kick in with the new Trump policies, in which they will initially request a lot of audits to "show" they are serious, and then taper off as word that they are doing it spreads.

Dude, anything is possible with Trump. lol

To #3, please as an American do NOT check the box for Support for Cuban People. This is a very specific licence and the definitions are often confused by people who only read the title. It is the most common recommendation from people on TripAdvisor, who have been to Cuba like 2 times and never actually read the rules, and have even less experience....and NEVER been in front of direct questioning from Immigration and Customs. It is NOT the licence that was expanded by Obama. From the treasury website, examples of qualifying for this license include: ", travel-related transactions and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people, which include activities of recognized human rights organizations; independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy; and individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba." Buying a mojito and staying at a casa particular and giving a few dollars to Cubans is NOT "support" for the Cuban people in the US government's eyes. This is human rights and anti government stuff. These groups have records and transactions logs and receipts, and volunteer or financial support will need to be documented if asked. Please do it the correct way and check off people to people education. The link to this is here, Page 5, Paragraph 17.: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf To #4: Please read my earlier response and be very careful saying nothing has changed. We will see, of course.

I think that is a rumor. I have never had remotely such an experience. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

I am concerned that they will say rhe underlying product is from government businesses, so the end supplier is irrelevant. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

As of right now the word is that the 100 cigar tax-free limit will stay in place. However if they do not allow the cigars because they were bought from a government own business, then this would apply two purchases overseas as well. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

The new rules won't be in effect in July. There is not a set date for them to be officially written and Define common but there is some talk around a 90-day time frame. But I also read this week that once the rules are written, there will be an additional 30 days afterwards that the old laws will still apply. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Absolutely, and customs has had an exemption for that in the past too under the $100 rule....although many customs agents were not aware of it. They will require documentation on it. Just be prepared. Also they consider proof a pic of the cigars you buy at the farm with the farmer/or his worker. Receipt would be smart from them too. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

There is one other potentially important aspect to the announcements. It involves the "no changes to what can be brought back from Cuba", ie cigars and rum. I have had much direct experience with US customs. Conversations, debates, instruction, fights, and even won a year long appeal over what I considered an unlawful seizure. That said, customs has this thing called internal guidance. It is email direction from customs HQ that tells them how to define and interpret regulations. They can in essence rewrite the regulations and be in contrast to what is actually published publicly. Like when the $100 cigar and rum rule was up, internal guidance was issued that said that $100 is any 2 bottles of rum, and any 24 cigars. Also to customs the $100 was not what was spent in cuba, but what the street value of those items are in the US. I have been told that internal guidance has been used by those that oppose loosening with Cuba. If they can define definitions that are not specific by OFAC, then they can control the policy in their direction. That said, let's say they do not change the current importation rules. But we are not allowed to spend money with business that are ran by the government. Well rum is made by government owned businesses. Cigars in the eyes of Customs are all from Habanos, a gov't venture, and sold in government stores. Therefore we are not allowed to buy them. So it is possible that without changing the current regs, they will functionally be changed to no cigars and no rum. If OFAC is not VERY specific on this point, I feel customs will issue internal guidance, and potentially reduce what is allowed to less than the old $100 rule. Of course, inspectors and supervisors have leeway in application of the rules, but in places that want to be tough on Cuba, for example TAMPA, they may rely on internal guidance that very well make it problematic for people trying to bring back cigars and rum. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

+5 on this. It is not as easy to see now, since Castro stepped down and Obama eased, but 10-15 years ago and longer, it's was obvious. With just a little time there, one could see how the embargo was being used to try and create unity around a common enemy, and blame the US for all their wores, and it gave Castro a neverending excuse for any problems the island had...mainly arising from their socialism and his decisions. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Yup that's what he says.....and that America is not getting a fair deal. Really he is serving Florida ex pats and political payback. Plus if he wants a fairer deal for America, what is better than allowing business to do more business there. Do you guys remember during the campaign, earlier on, the media asked Trump about cuba and he said he thought more relations were good. I was in Cuba watching the news when they showed a Trump Speech where he said he wanted to "Make Cuba great again". Then a month or 2 later, after he was told he had to win Florida and the Batistas responded to his earlier words, he then gave a speak saying the deal was bad and how awful the human rights violations are, and how things have to change on his watch. 50+ years and the embargo gets nothing done. So we want to continue it?! Because we want improvement?! But with deal with similar countries in a totally different manner....... no the real reason is something else. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

The remittance part can be bypassed via companies in other countries....if you have no issue circumventing the system. It was done alot during those times you speak. Bush was so stupid on that. And let's not forget that Bush is the reason for our 10% tax on USA. Was directly in retaliation for the cutting if remittances. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk