Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2009/09/08/E9-21440/cuban-assets-control-regulations
Timestamp: 2015-05-24 09:17:41
Document Index: 176709358

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 515', 'art 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515', '§ 515']

-46007 (8 pages)
Document Number: E9-21440
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/E9-21440 Related Topics
Assistant Director for Compliance, Outreach Implementation, tel.: 202-622-2490, Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: 202-622-2480; Assistant Director for Policy, tel.: 202-622-4855, or Chief Counsel (Foreign Assets Control), tel.: 202-622-2410 (not toll free numbers).
This document and additional information concerning OFAC are available from OFAC's Web site (www.treas.gov/ofac) or via facsimile through a 24-hour fax-on demand service, tel.: 202-622-0077.
The Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR part 515 (“CACR”), were issued by the U.S. Government on July 8, 1963, under the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 5 et seq.). Today, OFAC is amending the CACR to implement measures announced by the President on April 13, 2009, to promote greater contact between separated family members in the United States and Cuba and to increase the flow of remittances and information to the Cuban people. OFAC also is amending the CACR to implement certain provisions of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8, 123 Stat. 524) (“Appropriations Act”), as well as to make certain technical and conforming changes.
OFAC is amending paragraph (b) of section 515.570, which authorizes two separate one-time emigration-related remittances, to increase the value limit of each of these remittances from $500 to $1,000. This change is being made to reflect increases in emigration-related expenses since the original $500 caps were set in 1991.
Amendments to the CACR published March 24, 2003 (68 FR 14141), added a new general license at paragraph (c) of section 515.505 authorizing most transactions with Cuban national individuals who are granted humanitarian or other parole into the United States and remain in the United States pursuant to that grant of parole. This general license was intended to apply to all Cuban nationals who are lawfully present in the United States other than those who are in the United States on a temporary basis (e.g., an individual on a non-immigrant visa valid only for a specified period). The requirement that a Cuban national individual be paroled into the United States in order to be covered by the general license resulted in the unintended exclusion of Cuban national individuals who are lawfully present in the United States in a non-visitor status but who are not in a paroled status (e.g., those granted refugee status).
1.The authority citation for part 515 is revised to read as follows: Authority:
18 U.S.C. 2332d; 22 U.S.C. 2370(a), 6001-6010; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. App 1-44; 101, 104 Stat. 890 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); Pub. L. 104-114, 110 Stat. 785 (22 U.S.C. 6082); Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681; Pub. L. 106-387, 114 Stat. 1549; Pub. L. 111-8, 123 Stat. 524; E.O. 9193, 7 FR 5205, 3 CFR, 1938-1943 Comp., p. 1174; E.O. 9989, 13 FR 4891, 3 CFR, 1943-1948 Comp., p. 748; Proc. 3447, 27 FR 1085, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 157; E.O. 12854, 58 FR 36587, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p. 614.
2.Add § 515.337 to subpart C to read as follows: § 515.337 Prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba.
3.Add § 515.338 to read as follows: § 515.338 Prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party.
4.Add § 515.339 to read as follows: § 515.339 Close relative.
(a) For purposes of this part, the term close relative used with respect to any person means any individual related to that person by blood, marriage, or adoption who is no more than three generations removed from that person or from a common ancestor with that person.
§ 515.411 [Removed and reserved]
5.Remove and reserve § 515.411. § 515.418 [Removed and reserved]
6.Remove and reserve § 515.418. Subpart E—Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy Back to Top
7.Amend § 515.505 by italicizing the first sentence of paragraph (a) and by revising the section heading, paragraphs (b), (c), and (e)(2), and the notes to paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as follows: § 515.505 Certain Cuban nationals unblocked; transactions of certain other Cuban nationals lawfully present in the United States.
An individual unblocked pursuant to this paragraph does not become blocked again merely by leaving the United States. An individual unblocked national remains unblocked unless and until the individual thereafter becomes domiciled in or a permanent resident of Cuba, meets any of the criteria in § 515.302(a)(2) through (5), or is a “specially designated national” of Cuba, as that term is defined in § 515.306 of this part.
An individual unblocked pursuant to this paragraph remains unblocked unless and until the individual thereafter becomes domiciled in or a permanent resident of Cuba, meets any of the criteria in § 515.302(a)(2) through (5), or is a “specially designated national” of Cuba, as that term is defined in § 515.306 of this part.
(c) General license authorizing certain transactions of individuals who are lawfully present in the United States in a non-visitor status. An individual national of Cuba who is lawfully present in the United States in a non-visitor status is authorized to engage in all transactions available to an unblocked national, as that term is defined in § 515.307 of this part, except that all property in which the individual has an interest that was blocked pursuant to this part prior to the date on which the individual became lawfully present in the United States in a non-visitor status shall remain blocked. Such an individual is further authorized to withdraw a total amount not to exceed $250 in any one calendar month from any blocked accounts held in the individual's name. For the purposes of this section, the term “non-visitor status” does not apply to an individual who is present in the United States on a non-immigrant visa valid only for a specified period of time.
8.Amend § 515.533 by revising the section heading, paragraph (a) introductory text, and the note to paragraph (b), by redesignating existing paragraph (e) as paragraph (g) and revising newly designated paragraph (g), and by adding new paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows: § 515.533 Transactions incident to exportations from the United States and reexportations of 100% U.S.-origin items to Cuba; negotiation of executory contracts.
(e) General license for travel-related transactions incident to sales of agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions that are directly incident to the commercial marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing in Cuba of agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices that appear consistent with the export or re-export licensing policy of the Department of Commerce are authorized, provided that:
(f) General license for travel-related transactions incident to sales of telecommunications-related items. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions that are directly incident to the commercial marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing in Cuba of telecommunications-related items that have been authorized for commercial export or re-export to Cuba by the Department of Commerce are authorized, provided that:
(g) Specific licenses for travel-related transactions incident to exports. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions that are directly incident to the marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing in Cuba of exports that appear consistent with the export or re-export licensing policy of the Department of Commerce and are not authorized by the general licenses in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.
9.Revise § 515.542 to read as follows: § 515.542 Mail and telecommunications-related transactions.
(c) All persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are authorized to enter into, and make payments under, contracts with non-Cuban telecommunications services providers, or particular individuals in Cuba, for telecommunications services provided to particular individuals in Cuba, provided that such individuals in Cuba are not prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba, as defined in § 515.337 of this part, or prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party, as defined in § 515.338 of this part. The authorization in this paragraph includes, but is not limited to, payment for activation, installation, usage (monthly, pre-paid, intermittent, or other), roaming, maintenance, and termination fees.
(g) Nothing in this section authorizes the exportation or re-exportation of any items to Cuba. For the rules related to authorization of exports and re-exports to Cuba, see §§ 515.533 and 515.559 of this part.
(h) For an authorization of travel-related transactions that are directly incident to the commercial marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing in Cuba of telecommunications-related items that have been authorized for commercial export to Cuba by the U.S. Department of Commerce, see § 515.533(f) of this part. For an authorization of travel-related transactions that are directly incident to participation in professional meetings for the commercial marketing of, sales negotiation for, or performance under contracts for the provision of the telecommunications services, or the establishment of facilities to provide telecommunications services, authorized by paragraphs (b), (c), or (d)(1) of this section, see paragraph (a)(3) of section 515.564 of this part. Nothing in this § 515.542 authorizes transactions related to travel to, from, or within Cuba.
§ 515.545 [Amended]
10.Amend § 515.545 by removing paragraph (a) and by redesignating paragraphs (b) and (c) as paragraphs (a) and (b), respectively. 11.Amend § 515.560 by removing paragraph (f); by redesignating paragraph (g) as paragraph (f); and by revising paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(4), (a)(12), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(4)(i), and (d) to read as follows: § 515.560 Travel-related transactions to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
(1) Family visits (general and specific licenses) (see§ 515.561);
(4) Professional research and professional meetings (general and specific licenses) (see§ 515.564);
(12) Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing Department of Commerce regulations and guidelines with respect to Cuba or engaged in by U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign firms (general and specific licenses) (see§§ 515.533 and 515.559).
(i) The total of all family remittances authorized by § 515.570(a) does not exceed $3,000, and
12.Revise § 515.561 to read as follows: § 515.561 Persons visiting close relatives in Cuba.
(a) General license. (1) Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and persons traveling with them who share a common dwelling as a family with them are authorized to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions directly incident to visiting a close relative, as defined in § 515.339 of this part, who is a national of Cuba, as defined in § 515.302 of this part.
(2) Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and persons traveling with them who share a common dwelling as a family with them are authorized to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions directly incident to visiting a close relative, as defined in § 515.339 of this part, who is a U.S. Government employee assigned to the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
(b) Specific licenses. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and persons traveling with them who share a common dwelling as a family with them to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions directly incident to visiting a close relative, as defined in § 515.339 of this part, who is neither a national of Cuba, as defined in § 515.302 of this part, nor a U.S. Government employee assigned to the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
13.Amend § 515.564 by adding headings to paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), and by adding new paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows: § 515.564 Professional research and professional meetings in Cuba.
(a) * * * (1) Professional research.* * *
(2) Professional meetings organized by an international professional organization.* * *
(3) Professional meetings for commercial telecommunications transactions. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and additional transactions directly incident to participation in professional meetings for the commercial marketing of, sales negotiation for, or performance under contracts for the provision of the telecommunications services, or the establishment of facilities to provide telecommunications services, authorized by paragraphs (b), (c), or (d)(1) of § 515.542 of this part by a telecommunications services provider that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction are authorized, provided that:
14.Revise § 515.570 to read as follows: § 515.570 Remittances to Nationals of Cuba.
(a) Family remittances
authorized. Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who are 18 years of age or older are authorized to make remittances to nationals of Cuba who are close relatives, as defined in § 515.339 of this part, of the remitter, provided that:
(1) The remittances are not made from a blocked source. Certain remittances from blocked accounts are authorized pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section;
(2) The recipient is not a prohibited official of the Government of Cuba, as defined in § 515.337 of this part, or a prohibited member of the Cuban Communist Party, as defined in § 515.338 of this part; and
(3) The remittances are not made for emigration-related purposes. Remittances for emigration-related purposes are addressed by paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Two one-time
remittances authorized. Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to remit the following amounts:
(1) Up to $1,000 per payee on a one-time basis to Cuban nationals for the purpose of covering the payees' preliminary expenses associated with emigrating from Cuba to the United States. These remittances may be sent before the payees have received valid visas issued by the State Department or other approved U.S. immigration documents, but may not be carried by a licensed traveler to Cuba until the payees have received valid visas issued by the State Department or other approved U.S. immigration documents. See§ 515.560(c)(4) of this part for the rules regarding the carrying of authorized remittances to Cuba. These remittances may not be made from a blocked source unless authorized pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) Up to an additional $1,000 per payee on a one-time basis to Cuban nationals for the purpose of enabling the payees to emigrate from Cuba to the United States, including for the purchase of airline tickets and payment of exit or third-country visa fees or other travel-related fees. These remittances may be sent only once the payees have received valid visas issued by the State Department or other approved U.S. immigration documents. A remitter must be able to provide the visa recipients' full names, dates of birth, visa numbers, and visa dates of issuance. See§ 515.560(c)(4) of this part for the rules regarding the carrying of authorized remittances to Cuba. These remittances may not be made from a blocked source unless authorized pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Provided the recipient is not a prohibited official of the Government of Cuba, as defined in § 515.337 of this part, or a prohibited member of the Cuban Communist Party, as defined in § 515.338 of this part, certain remittances from blocked sources are authorized as follows:
(i) To that national of Cuba, provided that s/he is a close relative, as defined in § 515.339 of this part, of the decedent;
(ii) To that national of Cuba as emigration-related remittances in the amounts and consistent with the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) Specific licenses. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the following:
(1) Remittances by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including but not limited to non-governmental organizations and individuals, to independent non-governmental entities in Cuba, including but not limited to pro-democracy groups, civil society groups, and religious organizations, and to members of such groups or organizations;
(2) Remittances from a blocked account to a Cuban national in excess of the amount specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section; or
Note to § 515.570:
For the rules relating to the carrying of remittances to Cuba, see § 515.560(c)(4) of this part. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are prohibited from engaging in the collection or forwarding of remittances to Cuba unless authorized pursuant to § 515.572. For a list of authorized U.S. remittance service providers other than depository institutions, see Authorized Providers of Air, Travel and Remittance Forwarding Services to Cuba available from OFAC's Web site (www.treas.gov/ofac).
15.Amend § 515.572 by revising paragraph (a)(3) and adding a note to paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows: § 515.572 Authorization of transactions incident to the provision of travel services, carrier services, and remittance forwarding services.
(3) Authorization of
remittance forwarders. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including persons that provide payment forwarding services and noncommercial organizations acting on behalf of donors, that wish to provide services in connection with the collection or forwarding of remittances authorized pursuant to this part must obtain specific authorization from OFAC. Depository institutions, as defined in § 515.333, are hereby authorized to provide these services without obtaining specific authorization from OFAC. However, all licensed remittance forwarders, including depository institutions, that forward remittances authorized pursuant to this part are required to collect from persons who use their services information showing compliance with the relevant remittance provisions of this part. Depository institutions are permitted to set up testing arrangements and exchange authenticator keys with Cuban financial institutions to forward remittances authorized by or pursuant to § 515.570, but may not open or use direct correspondent accounts of their own with Cuban financial institutions.
A suggested form for the collection of information showing compliance with the remittance provisions in § 515.570 is available from OFAC's Web site (www.treas.gov/ofac).
Approved: September 1, 2009.
Under Secretary, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence,Department of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. E9-21440 Filed 9-3-09; 4:15 pm]