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Money and Finance:Treasury
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2013-07-01
2013-07-01
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CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS
515

PART 515
Money and Finance: Treasury
Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued)
OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Pt. 515

PART 515—CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS

Subpart A—Relation of This Part to Other Laws and Regulations
Sec.
515.101
Relation of this part to other laws and regulations.

Subpart B—Prohibitions
515.201
Transactions involving designated foreign countries or their nationals; effective date.
515.202
Transactions with respect to securities registered or inscribed in the name of a designated national.
515.203
Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part.
515.204
Importation of and dealings in certain merchandise.
515.205
Holding of certain types of blocked property in interest-bearing accounts.
515.206
Exempt transactions.
515.207
Entry of vessels engaged in trade with Cuba.
515.208
Restrictions on loans, credits and other financing.

Subpart C—General Definitions
515.301
Foreign country.
515.302
National.
515.303
Nationals of more than one foreign country.
515.305
Designated national.
515.306
Specially designated national.
515.307
Unblocked national.
515.308
Person.
515.309
Transactions.
515.310
Transfer.
515.311
Property; property interests.
515.312
Interest.
515.313
Property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
515.314
Banking institution.
515.316
License.
515.317
General license.
515.318
Specific license.
515.319
Blocked account.
515.320
Domestic bank.
515.321
United States; continental United States.
515.322
Authorized trade territory; member of the authorized trade territory.
515.323
Occupied area.
515.325
National securities exchange.
515.326
Custody of safe deposit boxes.
515.327
Blocked estate of a decedent.
515.329
Person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
515.330
Person within the United States.
515.331
Merchandise.
515.332
Information and informational materials.
515.333
Depository institution.
515.334
United States national.
515.335
Permanent resident alien.
515.336
Confiscated.
515.337
Prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba.
515.338
Prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party.
515.339
Close relative.

Subpart D—Interpretations
515.401
Reference to amended sections.
515.402
Effect of amendment of sections of this part or of other orders, etc.
515.403
Termination and acquisition of the interest of a designated national.
515.404
Transactions between principal and agent.
515.405
Exportation of securities, currency, checks, drafts and promissory notes.
515.406
Drafts under irrevocable letters of credit; documentary drafts.
515.407
Administration of blocked estates of decedents.
515.408
Access to certain safe deposit boxes prohibited.
515.409
Certain payments to a designated foreign country and nationals through third countries.
515.410
Dealing abroad in Cuban origin commodities.
515.411-515.413
[Reserved]
515.415
Travel to Cuba; transportation of certain Cuban nationals.
515.416-515.419
[Reserved]
515.420
Travel to Cuba.

Subpart E—Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy
515.501
General and specific licensing procedures.
515.502
Effect of subsequent license or authorization.
515.503
Exclusion from licenses and authorizations.
515.504
Certain judicial proceedings with respect to property of designated nationals.
515.505
Certain Cuban nationals unblocked; transactions of certain other Cuban nationals lawfully present in the United States; transactions with Cuban nationals who have taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba.
515.506-515.507
[Reserved]
515.508
Payments to blocked accounts in domestic banks.
515.509
Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges.
515.510
Payments to the United States, States and political subdivisions.
515.511
Transactions by certain business enterprises.
515.512
Provision of certain legal services authorized.
515.513
Purchase and sale of certain securities.
515.514
Payment of dividends and interest on and redemption and collection of securities.
515.515
Transfers of securities to blocked accounts in domestic banks.
515.516
Voting and soliciting of proxies on securities.
515.517
Access to safe deposit boxes under certain conditions.
515.518
[Reserved]
515.519
Limited payments from accounts of United States citizens abroad.
515.520
Payments from accounts of United States citizens in employ of United States in foreign countries and certain other persons.
515.521
U.S. assets of certain Cuban corporations.
515.522
U.S. assets of certain Cuban decedents.
515.523
Transactions incident to the administration of decedents' estates.
515.524
Payment from, and transactions in the administration of certain trusts and estates.
515.525
Certain transfers by operation of law.
515.526
Transactions involving blocked life insurance policies.
515.527
Certain transactions with respect to United States intellectual property.
515.528
Certain transactions with respect to blocked foreign intellectual property.
515.529
Powers of attorney.
515.530
Exportation of powers of attorney or instructions relating to certain types of transactions.
515.531
Payment of certain checks and drafts.
515.532
Completion of certain securities transactions.
515.533
Transactions incident to exportations from the United States and reexportations of 100% U.S.-origin items to Cuba; negotiation of executory contracts.
515.535
Exchange of certain securities.
515.536
Certain transactions with respect to merchandise affected by § 515.204.
515.540
[Reserved]
515.542
Mail and telecommunications-related transactions.
515.543
Proof of origin.
515.544
Gifts of Cuban origin goods.
515.545
Transactions related to information and informational materials.
515.546
Accounts of Cuban sole proprietorships.
515.547
Research samples.
515.548
Services rendered by Cuba to United States aircraft.
515.549
Bank accounts and other property of non-Cuban citizens who were in Cuba on or after July 8, 1963.
515.550
Certain vessel transactions authorized.
515.551
Joint bank accounts.
515.552
Proceeds of insurance policies.
515.553
Bank accounts of official representatives in Cuba of foreign governments.
515.554
Transfers of abandoned property under State laws.
515.555
Assets of Cuban firms wholly or substantially owned by U.S. citizens.
515.556
[Reserved]
515.557
Accounts of Cuban partnerships.
515.558
Bunkering of Cuban vessels and fueling of Cuban aircraft by American-owned or controlled foreign firms.
515.559
Certain transactions by U.S.-owned or controlled foreign firms with Cuba.
515.560
Travel-related transactions to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
515.561
Persons visiting close relatives in Cuba.
515.562
Officials of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations traveling to, from, and within Cuba on official business.
515.563
Journalistic activities in Cuba.
515.564
Professional research and professional meetings in Cuba.
515.565
Educational activities.
515.566
Religious activities in Cuba.
515.567
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions.
515.568
[Reserved]
515.569
Foreign passengers' baggage.
515.570
Remittances.
515.571
Certain transactions incident to travel to, from, and within the United States by Cuban nationals.
515.572
Authorization of transactions incident to the provision of travel services, carrier services, and remittance forwarding services.
515.573
Transactions by news organizations.
515.574
Support for the Cuban people.
515.575
Humanitarian projects.
515.576
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes.
515.577
Authorized transactions necessary and ordinarily incident to publishing.
515.578
Exportation of certain services incident to Internet-based communications.
515.579
Third-country diplomatic and consular funds transfers.

Subpart F—Reports
515.601
Records and reports.

Subpart G—Penalties
515.701
Penalties.

Subpart H—Procedures
515.801
Procedures.
515.802
Delegation by the Secretary of the Treasury.
515.803
Customs procedures; merchandise specified in § 515.204.

Subpart I—Miscellaneous Provisions
515.901
Paperwork Reduction Act notice.

Authority:
18 U.S.C. 2332d; 22 U.S.C. 2370(a), 6001-6010, 7201-7211; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. App 1-44; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); Pub. L. 104-114, 110 Stat. 785 (22 U.S.C. 6021-6091); Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681; Pub. L. 111-8, 123 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 111-117, 123 Stat. 3034; 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.

Source:
28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—Relation of This Part to Other Laws and Regulations
§ 515.101
Relation of this part to other laws and regulations.
(a) This part is separate from, and independent of, the other parts of this chapter with the exception of part 501 of this chapter, the recordkeeping and reporting requirements and license application and other procedures of which apply to this part. No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to one of those parts, or any other provision of law, authorizes any transaction prohibited by this part.
(b) No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part shall be deemed to authorize any transaction prohibited by any law other than the Trading With the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 5(b), as amended, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, 22 U.S.C. 2370, or any proclamation, order, regulation or license issued pursuant thereto.
[50 FR 27437, July 3, 1985, as amended at 62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]

Subpart B—Prohibitions
§ 515.201
Transactions involving designated foreign countries or their nationals; effective date.
(a) All of the following transactions are prohibited, except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him) by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise, if either such transactions are by, or on behalf of, or pursuant to the direction of a foreign country designated under this part, or any national thereof, or such transactions involve property in which a foreign country designated under this part, or any national thereof, has at any time on or since the effective date of this section had any interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect:
(1) All transfers of credit and all payments between, by, through, or to any banking institution or banking institutions wheresoever located, with respect to any property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or by any person (including a banking institution) subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
(2) All transactions in foreign exchange by any person within the United States; and
(3) The exportation or withdrawal from the United States of gold or silver coin or bullion, currency or securities, or the earmarking of any such property, by any person within the United States.
(b) All of the following transactions are prohibited, except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him) by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise, if such transactions involve property in which any foreign country designated under this part, or any national thereof, has at any time on or since the effective date of this section had any interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect:
(1) All dealings in, including, without limitation, transfers, withdrawals, or exportations of, any property or evidences of indebtedness or evidences of ownership of property by any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and
(2) All transfers outside the United States with regard to any property or property interest subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(c) Any transaction for the purpose or which has the effect of evading or avoiding any of the prohibitions set forth in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section is hereby prohibited.
(d) For the purposes of this part, the term foreign country designated under this part and the term designated foreign country mean Cuba and the term effective date and the term effective date of this section mean with respect to Cuba, or any national thereof, 12:01 a.m., e.s.t., July 8, 1963.
(e) When a transaction results in the blocking of funds at a banking institution pursuant to this section and a party to the transaction believes the funds have been blocked due to mistaken identity, that party may seek to have such funds unblocked pursuant to the administrative procedures set forth in § 501.806 of this chapter.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]
§ 515.202
Transactions with respect to securities registered or inscribed in the name of a designated national.
Unless authorized by a license expressly referring to this section, the acquisition, transfer (including the transfer on the books of any issuer or agent thereof), disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of, or the endorsement or guaranty of signatures on or otherwise dealing in any security (or evidence thereof) registered or inscribed in the name of any designated national is prohibited irrespective of the fact that at any time (either prior to, on, or subsequent to the “effective date”) the registered or inscribed owner thereof may have, or appears to have, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of any such security.
§ 515.203
Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part.
(a) Any transfer after the “effective date” which is in violation of any provision of this part or of any regulation, ruling, instruction, license, or other direction or authorization thereunder and involves any property in which a designated national has or has had an interest since such “effective date” is null and void and shall not be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any interest in or right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to such property.
(b) No transfer before the “effective date” shall be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to, or interest in, any property in which a designated national has or has had an interest since the “effective date” unless the person with whom such property is held or maintained had written notice of the transfer or by any written evidence had recognized such transfer prior to such “effective date.”
(c) Unless otherwise provided, an appropriate license or other authorization issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Secretary of the Treasury before, during or after a transfer shall validate such transfer or render it enforceable to the same extent as it would be valid or enforceable but for the provisions of section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act, as amended, and this part and any ruling, order, regulation, direction or instruction issued hereunder.
(d) Transfers of property which otherwise would be null and void, or unenforceable by virtue of the provisions of this section shall not be deemed to be null and void, or unenforceable pursuant to such provisions, as to any person with whom such property was held or maintained (and as to such person only) in cases in which such person is able to establish each of the following:
(1) Such transfer did not represent a willful violation of the provisions of this part by the person with whom such property was held or maintained;
(2) The person with whom such property was held or maintained did not have reasonable cause to know or suspect, in view of all the facts and circumstances known or available to such person, that such transfer required a license or authorization by or pursuant to the provisions of this part and was not so licensed or authorized or if a license or authorization did purport to cover the transfer, that such license or authorization had been obtained by misrepresentation or the withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained; and
(3) Promptly upon discovery that:
(i) Such transfer was in violation of the provisions of this part or any regulation, ruling, instruction, license or other direction or authorization thereunder, or
(ii) Such transfer was not licensed or authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury, or
(iii) If a license did purport to cover the transfer, such license had been obtained by misrepresentation or the withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained;
the person with whom such property was held or maintained filed with the Treasury Department, Washington, D.C., a report in triplicate setting forth in full the circumstances relating to such transfer. The filing of a report in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph shall not be deemed to be compliance or evidence of compliance with paragraphs (d) (1) and (2) of this section.
(e) Unless licensed or authorized by § 515.504 or otherwise licensed or authorized pursuant to this chapter any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is null and void with respect to any property in which on or since the “effective date” there existed the interest of a designated foreign country or national thereof.
(f) For the purpose of this section the term property includes gold, silver, bullion, currency, coin, credit, securities (as that term is defined in section 2(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), bills of exchange, notes, drafts, acceptances, checks, letters of credit, book credits, debts, claims, contracts, negotiable documents of title, mortgages, liens, annuities, insurance policies, options and futures in commodities, and evidences of any of the foregoing. The term property shall not, except to the extent indicated, be deemed to include chattels or real property.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 28 FR 7941, Aug. 3, 1963]
§ 515.204
Importation of and dealings in certain merchandise.
(a) Except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him) by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise, no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may purchase, transport, import, or otherwise deal in or engage in any transaction with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such merchandise:
(1) Is of Cuban origin; or
(2) Is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba; or
(3) Is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 515.205
Holding of certain types of blocked property in interest-bearing accounts.
(a) Except as provided by paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of this section, or as authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate by specific license, any person holding any property included in paragraph (h) of this section is prohibited from holding, withholding, using, transferring, engaging in any transactions involving, or exercising any right, power, or privilege with respect to any such property, unless it is held in an interest-bearing account in a domestic bank.
(b) Any person presently holding property subject to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section which, as of the effective date of this section, is not being held in accordance with the provisions of that paragraph shall transfer such property to or hold such property or cause such property to be held in an interest-bearing account in any domestic bank within 30 days of the effective date of this section.
(c) Any person holding any checks or drafts subject to the provisions of § 515.201 is authorized and directed, wherever possible consistent with state law (except as otherwise specifically provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section), to negotiate or present for collection or payment such instruments and credit the proceeds to interest-bearing accounts. Any transaction by any person incident to the negotiation, processing. presentment, collection or payment of such instruments and deposit of the proceeds into an interest-bearing account is hereby authorized: Provided that:
(1) The transaction does not represent, directly or indirectly, a transfer of the interest of a designated national to any other country or person;
(2) The proceeds are held in a blocked account indicating the designated national who is the payee or owner of the instrument; and,
(3) In the case of a blocked check or draft which has been purchased by the maker/drawer from the drawee bank (e.g., cashier's check, money order, or traveler's check) or which is drawn against a presently existing account, such bank, on presentment of the instrument in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall either:
(i) Pay the instrument (subject to paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section) or
(ii) Credit a blocked account on its books with the amount payable on the instrument.
In either event, the blocked account shall be identified as resulting from the proceeds of a blocked check or draft, and the identification shall include a reference to the names of both the maker and payee of the instrument.
(d) Property subject to the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, held by a person claiming a set-off against such property, is exempt from the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section to the extent of the set-off: Provided however, That interest shall be due from 30 days after the effective date of this section if it should ultimately be determined that the claim to a set-off is without merit.
(e) Property subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, held in a customer's account by a registered broker/dealer in securities, may continue to be held for the customer by the broker/dealer provided interest is credited to the account on any balance not invested in securities in accordance with § 515.513. The interest paid on such accounts by a broker/dealer who does not elect to hold such property for a customer's account in a domestic bank shall not be less than the maximum rate payable on the shortest time deposit available in any domestic bank in the jurisdiction in which the broker/dealer holds the account.
(f) Property subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, held by a state agency charged with the custody of abandoned or unclaimed property under § 515.554 may continue to be held by the agency provided interest is credited to the blocked account in which the property is held by the agency, or the property is held by the agency in a blocked account in a domestic bank. The interest credited to such accounts by an agency which does not elect to hold such property in a domestic bank shall not be less than the maximum rate payable on the shortest time deposit available in any domestic bank in the state.
(g) For purposes of this section, the term interest-bearing account means a blocked account earning interest at no less than the maximum rate payable on the shortest time deposit in the domestic bank where the account is held: Provided however, That such an account may include six-month Treasury bills or insured certificates, with a maturity not exceeding six-months, appropriate to the amounts involved.
(h) The following types of property are subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section:
(1) Any currency, bank deposit and bank accounts subject to the provisions of § 515.201;
(2) Any property subject to the provisions of § 515.201 which consists, in whole or in part, of undisputed and either liquidated or matured debts, claims, obligations or other evidence of indebtedness, to the extent of any amount that is undisputed and liquidated or matured; and
(3) Any proceeds resulting from the payment of an obligation under paragraph (c) of this section.
(i) For purposes of this section, the term domestic bank includes any FSLIC-insured institution (as defined in 12 CFR 561.1).
(j) For the purposes of this section the term person includes the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, except where the agency or instrumentality submits to the Office of Foreign Assets Control an opinion of its General Counsel that either:
(1) It lacks statutory authority to comply with this section, or
(2) The requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are inconsistent with the statutory program under which it operates.
[44 FR 11770, Mar. 2, 1979]
§ 515.206
Exempt transactions.
(a) Information and informational materials. (1) The importation from any country and the exportation to any country of information or informational materials as defined in § 515.332, whether commercial or otherwise, regardless of format or medium of transmission, are exempt from the prohibitions and regulations of this part except for payments owed to Cuba for telecommunications services between Cuba and the United States, which are subject to the provisions of § 515.542.
(2) This section does not authorize transactions related to information or informational materials not fully created and in existence at the date of the transaction, or to the substantive or artistic alteration or enhancement of information or informational materials, or to the provision of marketing and business consulting services by a person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Such prohibited transactions include, without limitation, payment of advances for information or informational materials not yet created and completed, provision of services to market, produce or co-produce, create or assist in the creation of information or informational materials, and payment of royalties to a designated national with respect to income received for enhancements or alterations made by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to information or informational materials imported from a designated national.
(3) This section does not authorize transactions incident to the transmission of restricted technical data as defined in the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR parts 730-774, or to the exportation of goods for use in the transmission of any data. The exportation of such goods to designated foreign countries is prohibited, as provided in § 515.201 of this part and § 785.1 of the Export Administration Regulations.
(4) This section does not authorize transactions related to travel to Cuba when such travel is not otherwise authorized under § 515.545.

Example #1:
A U.S. publisher ships 500 copies of a book to Cuba directly from Miami aboard a chartered aircraft, and receives payment by means of a letter of credit issued by a Cuban bank and confirmed by an American bank. These are permissible transactions under this section.

Example #2:
A Cuban party exports a single master copy of a Cuban motion picture to a U.S. party and licenses the U.S. party to duplicate, distribute, show and exploit in the United States the Cuban film in any medium, including home video distribution, for five years, with the Cuban party receiving 40% of the net income. All transactions relating to the activities described in this example are authorized under this section or § 515.545.

Example #3:
A U.S. recording company proposes to contract with a Cuban musician to create certain musical compositions, and to advance royalties of $10,000 to the musician. The music written in Cuba is to be recorded in a studio that the recording company owns in the Bahamas. These are all prohibited transactions. The U.S. party is prohibited under § 515.201 from contracting for the Cuban musician's services, from transferring $10,000 to Cuba to pay for those services, and from providing the Cuban with production services through the use of its studio in the Bahamas. No information or informational materials are in being at the time of these proposed transactions. However, the U.S. recording company may contract to purchase and import preexisting recordings by the Cuban musician, or to copy the recordings in the United States and pay negotiated royalties to Cuba under this section or § 515.545.

Example #4:
A Cuban party enters into a subpublication agreement licensing a U.S. party to print and publish copies of a musicial composition and to sub-license rights of public performance, adaptation, and arrangement of the musical composition, with payment to be a percentage of income received. All transactions related to the activities described in this example are authorized under this section and § 515.545, except for adaptation, and arrangement, which constitute artistic enhancement of the Cuban composition. Payment to the Cuban party may not reflect income received as a result of these enhancements.
(b) Donation of food. The prohibitions contained in this part do not apply to transactions incident to the donation of food to nongovernmental organizations or individuals in Cuba.
[54 FR 5233, Feb. 2, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 39256, Aug. 2, 1995; 64 FR 25812, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.207
Entry of vessels engaged in trade with Cuba.
Except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury (or any person, agency or instrumentality designated by him), by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses or otherwise,
(a) No vessel that enters a port or place in Cuba to engage in the trade of goods or the purchase or provision of services, may enter a U.S. port for the purpose of loading or unloading freight for a period of 180 days from the date the vessel departed from a port or place in Cuba; and
(b) No vessel carrying goods or passengers to or from Cuba or carrying goods in which Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest may enter a U.S. port with such goods or passengers on board.

Note to § 515.207:
For the waiver of the prohibitions contained in this section for certain vessels engaged in licensed or exempt trade with Cuba, see § 515.550.
[58 FR 34710, June 29, 1993, as amended at 66 FR 36687, July 12, 2001]
§ 515.208
Restrictions on loans, credits and other financing.
No United States national, permanent resident alien, or United States agency may knowingly make a loan, extend credit or provide other financing for the purpose of financing transactions involving confiscated property the claim to which is owned by a United States national, except for financing by a United States national owning such a claim for a transaction permitted under United States law.
[61 FR 37386, July 18, 1996]

Subpart C—General Definitions
§ 515.301
Foreign country.
The term foreign country also includes, but not by way of limitation:
(a) The state and the government of any such territory on or after the “effective date” as well as any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof or any territory, dependency, colony, protectorate, mandate, dominion, possession or place subject to the jurisdiction thereof,
(b) Any other government (including any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof) to the extent and only to the extent that such government exercises or claims to exercise control, authority, jurisdiction or sovereignty over territory which on the “effective date” constituted such foreign country,
(c) Any person to the extent that such person is, or has been, or to the extent that there is reasonable cause to believe that such person is, or has been, since the “effective date,” acting or purporting to act directly or indirectly for the benefit or on behalf of any of the foregoing, and
(d) Any territory which on or since the “effective date” is controlled or occupied by the military, naval or police forces or other authority of such foreign country.
§ 515.302
National.
(a) The term national when used with respect to a country shall include:
(1) A subject or citizen of that country or any person who has been domiciled in or a permanent resident of that country at any time on or since the “effective date,” except persons who were permanent residents of or domiciled in that country in the service of the U.S. Government and persons whose transactions in that country were authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
(2) Any partnership, association, corporation, or other organization that, on or since the effective date:
(i) Was or has been organized under the laws of that country;
(ii) Had or has had its principal place of business in that country; or
(iii) Was or has been controlled by, or a substantial part of the stocks, share, bonds, debentures, notes, drafts, or other securities or obligations of which was or has been controlled by, directly or indirectly, that country and/or one or more nationals thereof.
(3) Any organization's office or other sub-unit that is located within that country.
(4) Any person to the extent that such person, on or since the “effective date” was or has been acting or purporting to act directly or indirectly for the benefit or on behalf of any national of that country.
(5) Any other person who there is reasonable cause to believe is a “national” as defined in this section.
(b) Persons who travel in Cuba do not become nationals of Cuba solely because of such travel.
(c) The Secretary of the Treasury retains full power to determine that any person is or shall be deemed to be a “national” within the meaning of this section, and to specify the foreign country of which such person is or shall be deemed to be a national.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 50 FR 27437, July 3, 1985; 64 FR 25812, May 13, 1999; 68 FR 14144, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.303
Nationals of more than one foreign country.
(a) Any person who by virtue of any provision in this chapter is a national of more than one foreign country shall be deemed to be a national of each of such foreign countries.
(b) In any case in which a person is a national of two or more designated foreign countries, as defined in this chapter, a license or authorization with respect to nationals of one of such designated foreign countries shall not be deemed to apply to such person unless a license or authorization of equal or greater scope is outstanding with respect to nationals of each other designated foreign country of which such person is a national.
(c) In any case in which the combined interests of two or more designated foreign countries, as defined in this chapter, and/or nationals thereof are sufficient in the aggregate to constitute control or ownership of 25 per centum or more of the stock, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, drafts, or other securities or obligations of a partnership, association, corporation or other organization, but such control or a substantial part of such stock, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, drafts, or other securities or obligations is not held by any one such foreign country and/or national thereof, such partnership, association, corporation or other organization shall be deemed to be a national of each of such foreign countries.
§ 515.305
Designated national.
For the purposes of this part, the term designated national shall mean Cuba and any national thereof including any person who is a specially designated national.
§ 515.306
Specially designated national.
(a) The term specially designated national shall mean:
(1) Any person who is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be a specially designated national,
(2) Any person who on or since the “effective date” has acted for or on behalf of the Government or authorities exercising control over a designated foreign country, or
(3) Any partnership, association, corporation or other organization which on or since the “effective date” has been owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Government or authorities exercising control over a designated foreign country or by any specially designated national.
(b) [Reserved]

Note to § 515.306:
Please refer to the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) for a non-exhaustive listing of persons determined to fall within this definition, whose property and interests in property therefore are blocked pursuant to this part. The SDN List entries for such persons include the identifier “[CUBA].” The SDN List is accessible through the following page on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Web site: http://www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter. Section 501.807 of this chapter sets forth the procedures to be followed by persons seeking administrative reconsideration of their designation or that of a vessel as blocked, or who wish to assert that the circumstances resulting in the designation are no longer applicable.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 61 FR 32938, June 26, 1996; 62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997; 76 FR 38585, June 30, 2011]
§ 515.307
Unblocked national.
Any person licensed pursuant to § 515.505 licensed as an unblocked national shall, while so licensed, be regarded as a person within the United States who is not a national of any designated foreign country: Provided, however, That the licensing of any person as an unblocked national shall not be deemed to suspend in any way the requirements of any section of this chapter relating to reports, or the production of books, documents, and records specified therein.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 54 FR 5233, Feb. 2, 1989]
§ 515.308
Person.
The term person means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, or other organization.
§ 515.309
Transactions.
The phrase transactions which involve property in which a designated foreign country, or any national thereof, has any interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect, includes, but not by way of limitation:
(a) Any payment or transfer to such designated foreign country or national thereof,
(b) Any export or withdrawal from the United States to such designated foreign country, and
(c) Any transfer of credit, or payment of an obligation, expressed in terms of the currency of such designated foreign country.
§ 515.310
Transfer.
The term transfer shall mean any actual or purported act or transaction, whether or not evidenced by writing, and whether or not done or preformed within the United States, the purpose, intent, or effect of which is to create, surrender, release, transfer, or alter, directly or indirectly, any right, remedy, power, privilege, or interest with respect to any property and without limitation upon the foregoing shall include the making, execution, or delivery of any assignment, power, conveyance, check, declaration, deed, deed of trust, power of attorney, power of appointment, bill of sale, mortgage, receipt, agreement, contract, certificate, gift, sale, affidavit, or statement; the appointment of any agent, trustee, or other fiduciary; the creation or transfer of any lien; the issuance, docketing, filing, or the levy of or under any judgment, decree, attachment, execution, or other judicial or administrative process or order, or the service of any garnishment; the acquisition of any interest of any nature whatsoever by reason of a judgment or decree of any foreign country; the fulfillment of any condition, or the exercise of any power of appointment, power of attorney, or other power.
§ 515.311
Property; property interests.
(a) Except as defined in § 515.203(f) for the purposes of that section the terms property and property interest or property interests shall include, but not by way of limitation, money, checks, drafts, bullion, bank deposits, savings accounts, debts, indebtedness obligations, notes, debentures, stocks, bonds, coupons, and other financial securities, bankers' acceptances, mortgages, pledges, liens or other rights in the nature of security, warehouse receipts, bills of lading, trust receipts, bills of sale, any other evidences of title, ownership or indebtedness, powers of attorney, goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, stocks on hand, ships, goods on ships, real estate mortgages, deeds of trust, vendors' sales agreements, land contracts, real estate and any interest therein, leaseholds, ground rents, options, negotiable instruments, trade acceptances, royalties, book accounts, accounts payable, judgments, patents, trademarks, copyrights, contracts or licenses affecting or involving patents, trademarks or copyrights, insurance policies, safe deposit boxes and their contents, annuities, pooling agreements, contracts of any nature whatsoever, services, and any other property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or interest or interests therein, present, future or contingent.
(b) As used in § 515.208, the term property means any property (including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and any other form of intellectual property), whether real, personal, or mixed, and any present, future, or contingent right, security, or other interest therein, including any leasehold interest.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 50 FR 27437, July 3, 1985; 56 FR 49847, Oct. 2, 1991; 61 FR 37386, July 18, 1996]
§ 515.312
Interest.
The term interest when used with respect to property shall mean an interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect.
§ 515.313
Property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(a) The phrase property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States includes, without limitation, securities, whether registered or bearer, issued by:
(1) The United States or any State, district, territory, possession, county, municipality, or any other subdivision or agency or instrumentality of any thereof; or
(2) Any person with the United States whether the certificate which evidences such property or interest is physically located within or outside the United States.
(b) The phrase property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States also includes, without limitation, securities, whether registered or bearer, by whomsoever issued, if the instrument evidencing such property or interest is physically located within the United States.
§ 515.314
Banking institution.
The term banking institution shall include any person engaged primarily or incidentally in the business of banking, of granting or transferring credits, or of purchasing or selling foreign exchange or procuring purchases and sellers thereof, as principal or agent, or any person holding credits for others as a direct or incidental part of his business, or any broker; and, each principal, agent, home office, branch or correspondent of any person so engaged shall be regarded as a separate “banking institution.”
§ 515.316
License.
Except as otherwise specified, the term license shall mean any license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part.
§ 515.317
General license.
A general license is any license or authorization the terms of which are set forth in this part.
§ 515.318
Specific license.
A specific license is any license or authorization issued pursuant to this part but not set forth in this part.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963; 28 FR 7427, July 20, 1963]
§ 515.319
Blocked account.
The term blocked account shall mean an account in which any designated national has an interest, with respect to which account payments, transfers or withdrawals or other dealings may not be made or effected except pursuant to an authorization or license authorizing such action. The term blocked account shall not be deemed to include accounts of unblocked nationals.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963; 28 FR 7427, July 20, 1963]
§ 515.320
Domestic bank.
The term domestic bank shall mean any branch or office within the United States of any of the following which is not a national of a designated foreign country; any bank or trust company incorporated under the banking laws of the United States or any State, territory, or district of the United States, or any private bank or banker subject to supervision and examination under the banking laws of the United States or of any State, territory or district of the United States. The Secretary of the Treasury may also authorize any other banking institution to be treated as a “domestic bank” for the purpose of this definition or for the purpose of any or all sections of this part.
§ 515.321
United States; continental United States.
The term United States means the United States and all areas under the jurisdiction or authority thereof, including the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The term continental United States means the States of the United States and the District of Columbia.
[49 FR 27144, July 2, 1984]
§ 515.322
Authorized trade territory; member of the authorized trade territory.
(a) The term authorized trade territory includes all countries, including any colony, territory, possession, or protectorate, except those countries subject to sanctions pursuant to this chapter. The term does not include the United States.
(b) The term member of the authorized trade territory shall mean any of the foreign countries or political subdivisions comprising the authorized trade territory.
[43 FR 51762, Nov. 7, 1978, as amended at 60 FR 54195, Oct. 20, 1995]
§ 515.323
Occupied area.
The term occupied area shall mean any territory occupied by a designated foreign country which was not occupied by such country prior to the “effective date” of this part.
§ 515.325
National securities exchange.
The term national securities exchange shall mean an exchange registered as a national securities exchange under section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (48 Stat. 885, 15 U.S.C. 78f).
§ 515.326
Custody of safe deposit boxes.
Safe deposit boxes shall be deemed to be in the custody not only of all persons having access thereto but also of the lessors of such boxes whether or not such lessors have access to such boxes. The foregoing shall not in any way be regarded as a limitation upon the meaning of the term custody.
§ 515.327
Blocked estate of a decedent.
The term blocked estate of a decedent shall mean any decedent's estate in which a designated national has an interest. A person shall be deemed to have an interest in a decedent's estate if he:
(a) Was the decedent;
(b) Is a personal representative; or
(c) Is a creditor, heir, legatee, devisee, distributee, or beneficiary.
§ 515.329
Person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
The term person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States includes:
(a) Any individual, wherever located, who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
(b) Any person within the United States as defined in § 515.330;
(c) Any corporation, partnership, association, or other organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any State, territory, possession, or district of the United States; and
(d) Any corporation, partnership, association, or other organization, wherever organized or doing business, that is owned or controlled by persons specified in paragraphs (a) or (c) of this section.]
[50 FR 27437, July 3, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 14145, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.330
Person within the United States.
(a) The term person within the United States, includes:
(1) Any person, wheresoever located, who is a resident of the United States;
(2) Any person actually within the United States;
(3) Any corporation, partnership, association, or other organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any State, territory, possession, or district of the United States; and
(4) Any corporation, partnership, association, or other organization, wherever organized or doing business, which is owned or controlled by any person or persons specified in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(3) of this section.
(b) [Reserved]
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 68 FR 14145, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.331
Merchandise.
The term merchandise means all goods, wares and chattels of every description without limitation of any kind.
§ 515.332
Information and informational materials.
(a) For purposes of this part, the term information and informational materials means:
(1) Publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, news wire feeds, and other information and informational articles.
(2) To be considered informational materials, artworks must be classified under Chapter subheading 9701, 9702, or 9703 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
(b) The term information and informational materials does not include items:
(1) That would be controlled for export pursuant to section 5 of the Export Administration Act of 1979, 50 U.S.C. App. 2401-2420 (1993) (the “EAA”), or section 6 of the EAA to the extent that such controls promote nonproliferation of antiterrorism policies of the United States, including “software” that is not “publicly available” as these terms are defined in 15 CFR parts 779 and 799.1 (1994); or
(2) With respect to which acts are prohibited by 18 U.S.C. chapter 37.
[60 FR 39256, Aug. 2, 1995]
§ 515.333
Depository institution.
The term depository institution means any of the following:
(a) An insured bank as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;
(b) An insured institution as defined in section 408(a) of the National Housing Act;
(c) An insured credit union as defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act; or
(d) Any other institution that is carrying on banking activities pursuant to a charter from a Federal or state banking authority.
[57 FR 53997, Nov. 16, 1992]
§ 515.334
United States national.
As used in § 515.208, the term United States national means:
(a) Any United States citizen; or
(b) Any other legal entity which is organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, and which has its principal place of business in the United States.
[61 FR 37386, July 18, 1996]
§ 515.335
Permanent resident alien.
As used in § 515.208, the term permanent resident alien means an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the United States.
[61 FR 37386, July 18, 1996]
§ 515.336
Confiscated.
As used in § 515.208, the term confiscated refers to:
(a) The nationalization, expropriation, or other seizure by the Cuban Government of ownership or control of property, on or after January 1, 1959:
(1) Without the property having been returned or adequate and effective compensation provided; or
(2) Without the claim to the property having been settled pursuant to an international claims settlement agreement or other mutually accepted settlement procedure; and
(b) The repudiation by the Cuban Government of, the default by the Cuban Government on, or the failure of the Cuban Government to pay, on or after January 1, 1959:
(1) A debt of any enterprise which has been nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise taken by the Cuban Government;
(2) A debt which is a charge on property nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise taken by the Cuban Government; or
(3) A debt which was incurred by the Cuban Government in satisfaction or settlement of a confiscated property claim.
[61 FR 37386, July 18, 1996]
§ 515.337
Prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba.
For purposes of this part, the term prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba means Ministers and Vice-ministers, members of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers; members and employees of the National Assembly of People's Power; members of any provincial assembly; local sector chiefs of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution; Director Generals and sub-Director Generals and higher of all Cuban ministries and state agencies; employees of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT); employees of the Ministry of Defense (MINFAR); secretaries and first secretaries of the Confederation of Labor of Cuba (CTC) and its component unions; chief editors, editors, and deputy editors of Cuban state-run media organizations and programs, including newspapers, television, and radio; and members and employees of the Supreme Court (Tribuno Supremo Nacional).
[74 FR 46003, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 515.338
Prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party.
For purposes of this part, the term prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party means members of the Politburo, the Central Committee, Department Heads of the Central Committee, employees of the Central Committee, and secretaries and first secretaries of the provincial Party central committees.
[74 FR 46003, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 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.
(b) Example. Your mother's first cousin is your close relative for purposes of this part, because you are both no more than three generations removed from your great-grandparents, who are the ancestors you have in common. Similarly, your husband's great-grandson is your close relative for purposes of this part, because he is no more than three generations removed from your husband. Your daughter's father-in-law is not your close relative for purposes of this part, because you have no common ancestor.
[74 FR 46003, Sept. 8, 2009]

Subpart D—Interpretations
§ 515.401
Reference to amended sections.
Reference to any section of this part or to any regulation, ruling, order, instruction, direction or license issued pursuant to this part shall be deemed to refer to the same as currently amended unless otherwise so specified.
§ 515.402
Effect of amendment of sections of this part or of other orders, etc.
Any amendment, modification, or revocation of any section of this part or of any order, regulation, ruling, instruction, or license issued by or under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 3(a) or 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act, as amended, or pursuant to Proclamation 3447, shall not unless otherwise specifically provided be deemed to affect any act done or omitted to be done, or any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil or criminal case, prior to such amendment, modification, or revocation, and all penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities under any such section, order, regulation, ruling, instruction or license shall continue and may be enforced as if such amendment, modification, or revocation had not been made.
§ 515.403
Termination and acquisition of the interest of a designated national.
(a) Except as provided in § 515.525, whenever a transaction licensed or authorized by or pursuant to this part results in the transfer of property (including any property interest) away from a designated national, such property shall no longer be deemed to be property in which a designated national has or has had an interest unless there exists in such property an interest of a designated national, the transfer of which has not been effected pursuant to license or other authorization.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically provided in a license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part, if property (including any property interest) is transferred to a designated national such property shall be deemed to be property in which there exists the interest of a designated national.
§ 515.404
Transactions between principal and agent.
A transaction between any person within the United States and any principal, agent, home office, branch, or correspondent, outside the United States of such person is a transaction prohibited by § 515.201 to the same extent as if the parties to the transaction were in no way affiliated or associated with each other.
§ 515.405
Exportation of securities, currency, checks, drafts and promissory notes.
Section 515.201 prohibits the exportation of securities, currency, checks, drafts and promissory notes to a designated foreign country.
§ 515.406
Drafts under irrevocable letters of credit; documentary drafts.
Section 515.201 prohibits the presentation, acceptance or payment of:
(a) Drafts or other orders for payment drawn under irrevocable letters of credit issued in favor or on behalf of any designated national;
(b) Drafts or other orders for payment, in which any designated national has on or since the “effective date” had any interest, drawn under any irrevocable letter of credit; and
(c) Documentary drafts in which any designated national has on or since the “effective date” had any interest.
§ 515.407
Administration of blocked estates of decedents.
Section 515.201 prohibits all transactions incident to the administration of the blocked estate of a decedent, including the appointment and qualification of personal representatives, the collection and liquidation of assets, the payment of claims, and distribution to beneficiaries. Attention is directed to § 515.523 which authorizes certain transactions in connection with the administration of blocked estates of decedents, and § 515.522 which authorizes the unblocking by specific license of estate assets to certain heirs under certain circumstances.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989; 64 FR 25812, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.408
Access to certain safe deposit boxes prohibited.
Section 515.201 prohibits access to any safe deposit box within the United States in the custody of any designated national or containing any property in which any designated national has any interest or which there is reasonable cause to believe contains property in which any such designated national has any interest. Attention is directed to § 515.517 which authorizes access to such safe deposit boxes under certain conditions.
§ 515.409
Certain payments to a designated foreign country and nationals through third countries.
Section 515.201 prohibits any request or authorization made by or on behalf of a bank or other person within the United States to a bank or other person outside of the United States as a result of which request or authorization such latter bank or person makes a payment or transfer of credit either directly or indirectly to a designated national.
§ 515.410
Dealing abroad in Cuban origin commodities.
Section 515.204 prohibits, unless licensed, the importation of commodities of Cuban origin. It also prohibits, unless licensed, persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from purchasing, transporting or otherwise dealing in commodities of Cuban origin which are outside the United States.
[39 FR 25317, July 10, 1974]
§§ 515.411-515.413
[Reserved]
§ 515.415
Travel to Cuba; transportation of certain Cuban nationals.
(a) The following transactions are prohibited by § 515.201 when in connection with the transportation of any Cuban national, except a Cuban national holding an unexpired immigrant or non-immigrant visa or a returning resident of the United States, from Cuba to the United States, unless otherwise licensed:
(1) Transactions incident to travel to, from, or within Cuba;
(2) The transportation to Cuba of a vessel or aircraft;
(3) The transportation into the United States of any vessel or aircraft which has been in Cuba since the effective date, regardless of registry;
(4) The provision of any services to a Cuban national, regardless of whether any consideration for such services is furnished by the Cuban national;
(5) The transportation or importation of baggage or other property of a Cuban national;
(6) The transfer of funds or other property to any person where such transfer involves the provision of services to a Cuban national or the transportation or importation of, or any transactions involving, property in which Cuba or any Cuban national has any interest, including baggage or other such property;
(7) Any other transaction such as payment of port fees and charges in Cuba and payment for fuel, meals, lodging; and
(8) The receipt or acceptance of any gratuity, grant, or support in the form of meals, lodging, fuel, payments of travel or maintenance expenses, or otherwise, in connection with travel to or from Cuba or travel or maintenance within Cuba.
(b) Transactions incident to the travel to the United States of Cuban nationals traveling without a visa issued by the Department of State are not authorized under the provisions of § 515.571.
(c) Transactions described in paragraph (a) of this section are not “transactions ordinarily incident to travel to and from Cuba” as set forth in § 515.560(c).
[45 FR 32671, May 19, 1980, as amended at 64 FR 25812, May 13, 1999]
§§ 515.416-515.419
[Reserved]
§ 515.420
Travel to Cuba.
The prohibition on dealing in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest set forth in § 515.201(b)(1) includes a prohibition on the receipt of goods or services in Cuba, even if provided free-of-charge by the Government of Cuba or a national of Cuba or paid for by a third-country national who is not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The prohibition set forth in § 515.201(b)(1) also prohibits payment for air travel to Cuba on a third-country carrier unless the travel is pursuant to an OFAC general or specific license.
[69 FR 33771, June 16, 2004]

Subpart E—Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy
§ 515.501
General and specific licensing procedures.
For provisions relating to licensing procedures, see part 501, subpart E, of this chapter. Licensing actions taken pursuant to part 501 of this chapter with respect to the prohibitions contained in this part are considered actions taken pursuant to this part.
[68 FR 53657, Sept. 11, 2003]
§ 515.502
Effect of subsequent license or authorization.
(a) No license or other authorization contained in this part or otherwise issued by or under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 3(a) or 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act, as amended, or section 620(a), Pub. L. 87-195, or Proclamation 3447, shall be deemed to authorize or validate any transaction effected prior to the issuance thereof, unless such license or other authorization specifically so provides.
(b) No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizes a transaction prohibited under this part unless the regulation, ruling, instruction, or license is issued by the Treasury Department and specifically refers to this part. No regulation, ruling, instruction or license referring to this part shall be deemed to authorize any transaction prohibited by part 500 of this chapter unless the regulation, ruling, instruction or license specifically refers to part 500.
§ 515.503
Exclusion from licenses and authorizations.
The Secretary of the Treasury reserves the right to exclude from the operation of any license or from the privileges therein conferred or to restrict the applicability thereof with respect to particular persons, transactions or property or classes thereof. Such action shall be binding upon all persons receiving actual notice or constructive notice thereof.
§ 515.504
Certain judicial proceedings with respect to property of designated nationals.
(a) Subject to the limitations of paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section judicial proceedings are authorized with respect to property in which on or since the “effective date” there has existed the interest of a designated national.
(b) A judicial proceeding is authorized by this section only if it is based upon a cause of action which accrued prior to the “effective date”.
(c) This section does not authorize or license:
(1) The entry of any judgment or of any decree or order of similar or analogous effect upon any judgment book, minute book, journal or otherwise, or the docketing of any judgment in any docket book, or the filing of any judgment roll or the taking of any other similar or analogous action.
(2) Any payment or delivery out of a blocked account based upon a judicial proceeding nor does it authorize the enforcement or carrying out of any judgment or decree or order of similar or analogous effect with regard to any property in which a designated national has an interest.
(d) If a judicial proceeding relates to property in which there exists the interest of any designated national other than a person who would not have been a designated national except for his relationship to an occupied area, such proceeding is authorized only if it is based upon a claim in which no person other than any of the following has had an interest since the “effective date”:
(1) A citizen of the United States;
(2) A corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any State, territory or possession thereof, or the District of Columbia;
(3) A natural person who is and has been since the “effective date” a resident of the United States and who has not been a specially designated national;
(4) A legal representative (whether or not appointed by a court of the United States) or successor in interest by inheritance, device, bequest, or operation of law, who falls within any of the categories specified in paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of this section but only to the same extent that their principals or predecessors would be qualified by such paragraphs.
§ 515.505
Certain Cuban nationals unblocked; transactions of certain other Cuban nationals lawfully present in the United States; transactions with Cuban nationals who have taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba.
(a) General license unblocking certain persons. The following persons are licensed as unblocked nationals, as that term is defined in § 515.307 of this part:
(1) Any individual who:
(i) Has taken up residence in the United States;
(ii) Is a United States citizen, a permanent resident alien of the United States, or has applied to become a permanent resident alien of the United States and has an adjustment of status application pending; and
(iii) Is not a specially designated national; and
(2) Any entity that otherwise would be a national of Cuba solely because of the interest therein of an individual licensed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section as an unblocked national.

Note to paragraph (a):
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.
(b) Specific licenses unblocking certain individuals who have taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba. Individual nationals of Cuba who have taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba may apply to the Office of Foreign Assets Control to be specifically licensed as unblocked nationals. Applications for specific licenses under this paragraph should include copies of at least two documents indicating permanent residence issued by the government authorities of the new country of permanent residence, such as a passport, voter registration card, permanent resident alien card, or national identity card. In cases where two of such documents are not available, other information will be considered, such as evidence that the individual has been resident for the past two years without interruption in a single country outside of Cuba or evidence that the individual does not intend to, or would not be welcome to, return to Cuba.
(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.
(d) General license authorizing certain transactions with individuals who have taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are authorized to engage in any transaction with an individual national of Cuba who has taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba as if the individual national of Cuba were an unblocked national, as defined in § 515.307 of this part, except that all property in which the individual national of Cuba has an interest that was blocked pursuant to this part prior to the later of the date on which the individual took up permanent residence outside of Cuba or January 28, 2011 shall remain blocked. In determining whether an individual national of Cuba has taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction must obtain from the individual copies of at least two documents indicating permanent residence issued by the government authorities of the new country of permanent residence, such as a passport, voter registration card, permanent resident alien card, or national identity card.
(e) The licensing of any person pursuant to this section shall not suspend the requirements of any section of this chapter relating to the maintenance or production of records.
(f) The following examples illustrate the application of this section:

(1) Example 1:
A national of Cuba with a blocked U.S. bank account receives a U.S immigration visa. Upon arrival in the United States, she is issued a permanent resident alien card and thereby is licensed as an unblocked national pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. She can apply immediately to OFAC for a specific license to have her bank account unblocked.

(2) Example 2:
A national of Cuba with a blocked U.S. bank account arrives in the United States without a valid visa but is allowed by the U.S. Government to remain in the United States in a non-visitor status. One year later, he applies for and receives permanent resident alien status. From the date he was permitted to remain in the United States in a non-visitor status until the date he applies for permanent resident alien status, he qualifies for the general license contained in paragraph (c) of this section. During this time he can engage in all transactions as if he is an unblocked national, with the exception that he cannot gain access to his blocked bank account other than to withdraw $250 each month. Beginning at the point in time when he applies for permanent resident alien status, he is licensed as an unblocked national pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. At this time, he can apply to OFAC for a specific license to have his blocked bank account unblocked.

(3) Example 3:
A national of Cuba with a blocked U.S. bank account arrives in the United States on a temporary visa valid for six months. After her visa expires, she remains in the United States for an additional six months and then applies to become a permanent resident alien. She has an adjustment of status application pending until she receives permanent resident alien status one year later. From her arrival in the United States until her application for permanent resident alien status, she does not qualify for any of the authorizations contained in this section. Instead, she is authorized by § 515.571 only to engage in transactions ordinarily incident to her travel and maintenance in the United States and to withdraw $250 each month from her blocked account to cover her living expenses. Beginning with her application to become a permanent resident alien, she is licensed as an unblocked national pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. At this time, she can apply to OFAC for a specific license to have her bank account unblocked.

(4) Example 4:
An individual national of Cuba who has taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba wishes to open a bank account at a branch of a U.S. bank in Spain and then withdraw a portion of her previously blocked funds held by the same U.S. bank's New York branch. The individual provides the Spanish branch with a copy of her third-country passport and voter registration card demonstrating her permanent residence status in the third country. The Spanish branch may open an account for the individual and provide her with banking services. The New York branch may also handle any transactions related to this new account processed through the United States but may not unblock her funds that had been blocked prior to the later of the date on which the individual took up permanent residence outside of Cuba or January 28, 2011. Those funds remain blocked unless and until the individual is licensed as an unblocked national pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this section or the funds are otherwise unblocked by a separate Office of Foreign Assets Control authorization.

Note to § 515.505:
See § 515.571 for the authorization of certain limited transactions incident to travel to, from, and within the United States by Cuban nationals who enter the United States on a non-immigrant visa or other non-immigrant travel authorization issued by the State Department.
[68 FR 14145, Mar. 24, 2003, as amended at 74 FR 46004, Sept. 8, 2009; 76 FR 5074, Jan. 28, 2011]
§§ 515.506-515.507
[Reserved]
§ 515.508
Payments to blocked accounts in domestic banks.
(a) Any payment or transfer of credit to a blocked account in a domestic bank in the name of any designated national is hereby authorized providing such payment or transfer shall not be made from any blocked account if such payment or transfer represents, directly or indirectly, a transfer of the interest of a designated national to any other country or person.
(b) This section does not authorize:
(1) Any payment or transfer to any blocked account held in a name other than that of the designated national who is the ultimate beneficiary of such payment or transfer; or
(2) Any foreign exchange transaction including, but not by way of limitation, any transfer of credit, or payment of an obligation, expressed in terms of the currency of any foreign country.
(c) This section does not authorize any payment or transfer of credit comprising an integral part of a transaction which cannot be effected without the subsequent issuance of a further license.
(d) This section does not authorize the crediting of the proceeds of the sale of securities held in a blocked account or a subaccount thereof, or the income derived from such securities to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or subaccount in which such securities were held.
(e) This section does not authorize any payment or transfer from a blocked account in a domestic bank to a blocked account held under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the blocked account from which the payment or transfer is made.

Note to § 515.508:
Please refer to § 501.603 of this chapter for mandatory reporting requirements regarding financial transfers.
[32 FR 10846, July 25, 1967, as amended at 58 FR 47645, Sept. 10, 1993; 62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]
§ 515.509
Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges.
(a) Any banking institution within the United States is hereby authorized to:
(1) Debit any blocked account with such banking institution (or with another office within the United States of such banking institution) in payment or reimbursement for normal service charges owed to such banking institution by the owner of such blocked account.
(2) Make book entries against any foreign currency account maintained by it with a banking institution in a designated foreign country for the purpose of responding to debits to such account for normal service charges in connection therewith.
(b) As used in this section, the term normal service charge shall include charges in payment or reimbursement for interest due; cable, telegraph, or telephone charges; postage costs; custody fees; small adjustment charges to correct bookkeeping errors; and, but not by way of limitation, minimum balance charges, account carrying charges, notary and protest fees, and charges for reference books, photostats, credit reports, transcripts of statements, registered mail insurance, stationery and supplies, check books, and other similar items.
§ 515.510
Payments to the United States, States and political subdivisions.
(a) The payment from any blocked account to the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof or to any State, territory, district, county, municipality or other political subdivision in the United States, of customs duties, taxes, and fees payable thereto by the owner of such blocked account is hereby authorized.
(b) This section also authorizes transactions incident to the payment of customs duties, taxes, and fees from blocked accounts, such as the levying of assessments, the creation and enforcement of liens, and the sale of blocked property in satisfaction of liens for customs duties, taxes, and fees.
§ 515.511
Transactions by certain business enterprises.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section any partnership, association, corporation or other organization which on the “effective date” was actually engaged in a commercial, banking or financial business within the United States and which is a national of a designated foreign country, is hereby authorized to engage in all transactions ordinarily incidental to the normal conduct of its business activities within the United States.
(b) This section does not authorize any transaction which would require a license if such organization were not a national of a designated foreign country.
(c) This section does not authorize any transaction by a specially designated national.
(d) Any organization engaging in business pursuant to this section shall not engage in any transaction, pursuant to this section or any other license or authorization contained in this part, which, directly or indirectly, substantially diminishes or imperils the assets of such organization or otherwise prejudicially affects the financial position of such organization.
(e) No dealings with regard to any account shall be evidence that any person having an interest therein is actually engaged in commercial, banking or financial business within the United States.
§ 515.512
Provision of certain legal services authorized.
(a) The provision of the following legal services to or on behalf of Cuba or a Cuban national is authorized, provided that all receipts of payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses must be specifically licensed:
(1) Provision of legal advice and counseling on the requirements of and compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States, provided that such advice and counseling are not provided to facilitate transactions in violation of this part;
(2) Representation of persons when named as defendants in or otherwise made parties to domestic U.S. legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings;
(3) Initiation and conduct of domestic U.S. legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings in defense of property interests subject to U.S. jurisdiction;
(4) Representation of persons before any federal or state agency with respect to the imposition, administration, or enforcement of U.S. sanctions against such persons; and
(5) Provision of legal services in any other context in which prevailing U.S. law requires access to legal counsel at public expense.
(b) The provision of any other legal services to Cuba or a Cuban national, not otherwise authorized in this part, requires the issuance of a specific license.
(c) Entry into a settlement agreement affecting property or interests in property or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has had an interest at any time on or since 12:01 a.m., e.s.t., July 8, 1963, is prohibited except to the extent otherwise provided by law or unless otherwise authorized by or pursuant to this part.
[68 FR 14146, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.513
Purchase and sale of certain securities.
(a) The bona fide purchase and sale of securities on a national securities exchange by banking institutions within the United States for the account, and pursuant to the authorization, of nationals of a designated foreign country and the making and receipt of payments, transfers of credit, and transfers of such securities which are necessary incidents of any such purchase or sale are hereby authorized provided the following terms and conditions are complied with:
(1) In the case of the purchase of securities, the securities purchased shall be held in an account in a banking institution within the United States in the name of the national whose account was debited to purchase such securities; and
(2) In the case of the sale of securities, the proceeds of the sale shall be credited to an account in the name of the national for whose account the sale was made and in the banking institution within the United States which held the securities for such national.
(b) This section does not authorize the crediting of the proceeds of the sale of securities held in a blocked account or a subaccount thereof, to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or subaccount in which such securities were held.
(c) Securities issued or guaranteed by the Government of the United States or any State, territory, district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof (including agencies and instrumentalities of the foregoing) need not be purchased or sold on a national securities exchange, but purchases or sales of such securities shall be made at market value and pursuant to all other terms and conditions prescribed in this section.
§ 515.514
Payment of dividends and interest on and redemption and collection of securities.
(a) The payment to, and receipt by, a banking institution within the United States of funds or other property representing dividends or interest on securities held by such banking institution in a blocked account is hereby authorized provided the funds or other property are credited to or deposited in a blocked account in such banking institution in the name of the national for whose account the securities were held. Notwithstanding § 515.202, this paragraph authorizes the foregoing transactions although such securities are registered or inscribed in the name of any designated national and although the national in whose name the securities are registered or inscribed may not be the owner of such blocked account.
(b) The payment to, and receipt by, a banking institution within the United States of funds payable in respect of securities (including coupons) presented by such banking institution to the proper paying agents within the United States for redemption or collection for the account and pursuant to the authorization of nationals of a designated country is hereby authorized provided the proceeds of the redemption or collection are credited to a blocked account in such banking institution in the name of the national for whose account the redemption or collection was made.
(c) The performance of such other acts, and the effecting of such other transactions, as may be necessarily incident to any of the foregoing, are also hereby authorized.
(d) This section does not authorize the crediting of the proceeds of the redemption or collection of securities (including coupons) held in a blocked account or a subaccount thereof, or the income derived from such securities to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or subaccount in which such securities were held.
(e) This section does not authorize any issuer or other obligor, with respect to a security, who is a designated national, to make any payment, transfer or withdrawal.
§ 515.515
Transfers of securities to blocked accounts in domestic banks.
(a) Transactions ordinarily incident to the transfer of securities from a blocked account in the name of any person to a blocked account in the same name in a domestic bank are hereby authorized provided such securities shall not be transferred from any blocked account if such transfer represents, directly or indirectly, a transfer of the interest of a designated national to any other country or person.
(b) This section does not authorize the transfer of securities held in a blocked account or subaccount thereof to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or subaccount in which such securities were held.
[32 FR 10847, July 25, 1967]
§ 515.516
Voting and soliciting of proxies on securities.
Notwithstanding § 515.202, the voting and the soliciting of proxies or other authorizations is authorized with respect to the voting of securities issued by a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or of any State, territory, or district thereof, in which a designated national has any interest.
§ 515.517
Access to safe deposit boxes under certain conditions.
(a) Access to any safe deposit box leased to a designated national or containing property in which any designated national has an interest, and the deposit therein or removal therefrom of any property is hereby authorized, provided the following terms and conditions are complied with:
(1) Access shall be permitted only in the presence of an authorized representative of the lessor of such box; and
(2) In the event that any property in which any designated national has any interest is to be removed from such box, access shall be permitted only in the presence of an authorized representative of a banking institution within the United States, which may be the lessor of such box, which shall receive such property into its custody immediately upon removal from such box and which shall hold the same in a blocked account under an appropriate designation indicating the interest therein of designated nationals.
(b) The terms and conditions set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to access granted to a representative of the Office of Alien Property pursuant to any rule, regulation or order of such Office.
§ 515.518
[Reserved]
§ 515.519
Limited payments from accounts of United States citizens abroad.
(a) Payments and transfers of credit from blocked accounts for expenditures within the United States or the authorized trade territory of any citizens of the United States who are within any foreign country are hereby authorized provided the following terms and conditions are complied with:
(1) Such payments and transfers shall be made only from blocked accounts in the name, or in which the beneficial interest is held by, such citizen or his family; and
(2) The total of all such payments and transfers made under this section shall not exceed $1,000 in any one calendar month for any such citizen or his family.
(b) This section does not authorize any remittance to a designated foreign country or, any payment, transfer, or withdrawal which could not be effected without a license by a person within the United States who is not a national of a designated foreign country.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 27144, July 2, 1984]
§ 515.520
Payments from accounts of United States citizens in employ of United States in foreign countries and certain other persons.
(a) Banking institutions within the United States are hereby authorized to make all payments, transfers and withdrawals from accounts in the name of citizens of the United States while such citizens are within any foreign country in the course of their employment by the Government of the United States.
(b) Banking institutions within the United States are also hereby authorized to make all payments, transfers and withdrawals from accounts in the name of members of the armed forces of the United States and of citizens of the United States accompanying such armed forces in the course of their employment by any organization acting on behalf of the Government of the United States while such persons are within any foreign country.
(c) This section is deemed to apply to the accounts of members of the armed forces of the United States and of citizens of the United States accompanying such armed forces in the course of their employment by the Government of the United States or by any organization acting on its behalf even though they are captured or reported missing.
§ 515.521
U.S. assets of certain Cuban corporations.
(a) Specific licenses may be issued unblocking the net pro rata shares of individuals who are permanent residents of the United States or the authorized trade territory, and who are not specially designated nationals, in U.S.-located assets of corporations formed under the laws of Cuba, after deducting the total debt due creditors for claims that accrued prior to the effective date, in cases where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The assets were owned by, or accrued to, the corporation before the effective date of the regulations;
(2) The corporation did not carry on substantial business in Cuba under the management or control of the applicant(s) after the effective date;
(3) In cases where the blocked assets purportedly have been nationalized by Cuba, compensation has not been paid to the applicant(s).
(b) Applications for specific licenses under this section must include all of the following information:
(1) A detailed description of the corporation, its by-laws, activities, distribution of shares, and its current status;
(2) Proof of the permanent residence of the applicant(s) in the United States or the authorized trade territory;
(3) A list of all officers, directors and shareholders of the corporation, giving the citizenship and the residence of each person as of the date of the application;
(4) A detailed description of all of the assets of the corporation, wherever located, including a statement of all known encumbrances or claims against them; and
(5) Detailed information regarding the status of all debts and other obligations of the corporation, specifying the citizenship and residence of each creditor on the effective date and on the date of the application.
[50 FR 33720, Aug. 21, 1985. Redesignated at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.522
U.S. assets of certain Cuban decedents.
(a) Specific licenses may be issued unblocking the net pro rata shares of certain heirs of designated nationals in U.S.-located estate assets, after deducting the total debt due creditors for claims that accrued prior to the effective date, in cases where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant is a permanent resident of the United States or the authorized trade territory and is not a specially designated national; and
(2) No interest on the part of a designated national not licensed as an unblocked national pursuant to § 515.505 exists in that portion of the assets to which the applicant is entitled.
(b) Applications for specific licenses under this section must include all of the following information:
(1) Proof of permanent residence in the United States or the authorized trade territory, to be established by the submission of documentation issued by relevant government authorities that must include at least two of the following documents: (i) passport; (ii) voter registration card; (iii) permanent resident alien card; or (iv) national identity card. Other documents tending to show residency, such as income tax returns, may also be submitted in support of government documentation, but will not suffice in and of themselves;
(2) Proof of death of the designated national to be established by a death certificate;
(3) Proof of heirship, to be established by a copy of the decedent's duly executed will certified by a probate court, a court decree determining the heirs, or, failing the availability of such documents, copies of certificates establishing the relationship of the heir to the deceased, e.g., birth or marriage certificates;
(4) A description of the assets involved, including interest due on blocked funds since April 1, 1979, the name and address of the institution in which the assets are held, the account or safe deposit box number, the name in which the assets are held and a statement of all known encumbrances or claims against them; and
(c) Any document provided pursuant to this section that is not written in the English language must be accompanied by a translation into English, as well as a certification by the translator that he is not an interested party to the proceeding, is qualified to make the translation, and has made an accurate translation of the document in question.
[54 FR 5235, Feb. 2, 1989. Redesignated at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.523
Transactions incident to the administration of decedents' estates.
(a) The following transactions are authorized in connection with the administration of the assets in the United States of any blocked estate of a decedent:
(1) The appointment and qualification of a personal representative;
(2) The collection and preservation of such assets by such personal representative and the payment of all costs, fees and charges in connection therewith; and
(3) The payment by such personal representative of funeral expenses and expenses of the last illness.
(4) Any transfer of title pursuant to a valid testamentary disposition.
This paragraph does not authorize any unblocking or distribution of estate assets to a designated national.
(b) In addition to the authorization contained in paragraph (a) of this section, all other transactions incident to the administration of assets situated in the United States of any blocked estate of a decedent are authorized if:
(1) The decedent was not a national of a designated foreign country at the time of his death;
(2) The decedent was a citizen of the United States and a national of a designated foreign country at the time of his death solely by reason of his presence in a designated foreign country as a result of his employment by, or service with the United States Government; or
(3) The assets are unblocked under a specific license issued pursuant to § 515.522.
(c) Any property or interest therein distributed pursuant to this section to a designated national shall be regarded for the purpose of this chapter as property in which such national has an interest and shall accordingly be subject to all the pertinent sections of this chapter. Any payment or distribution of any funds, securities or other choses in action to a designated national shall be made by deposit in a blocked account in a domestic bank or with a public officer, agency, or instrumentality designated by a court having jurisdiction of the estate. Any such deposit shall be made in one of the following ways:
(1) In the name of the national who is the ultimate beneficiary thereof;
(2) In the name of a person who is not a national of a designated foreign country in trust for the national who is the ultimate beneficiary; or
(3) Under some other designation which clearly shows the interest therein of such national.
(d) Any distribution of property authorized pursuant to this section may be made to a trustee of any testamentary trust or to the guardian of an estate of a minor or of an incompetent.
(e) This section does not authorize:
(1) Any designated national to act as personal representative or co-representative of any estate;
(2) Any designated national to represent, directly or indirectly, any person who has an interest in an estate;
(3) Any designated national to take distribution of any property as the trustee of any testamentary trust or as the guardian of an estate of a minor or of an incompetent; or
(4) Any transaction which could not be effected if no designated national had any interest in such estate.
(f) Any payment or distribution authorized by this section may be deposited in a blocked account in a domestic bank or with a public officer, agency, or instrumentality designated by the court having jurisdiction of the estate in one of the ways prescribed in paragraph (c) (1), (2) or (3) of this section, but this section does not authorize any other transaction directly or indirectly at the request, or upon the instructions of any designated national.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989; 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.524
Payment from, and transactions in the administration of certain trusts and estates.
(a) Any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States, or of any State, territory, possession, or district of the United States, or any private bank subject to supervision and examination under the banking laws of any State of the United States, acting as trustee of a trust created by gift, donation or bequest and administered in the United States, or as legal representative of an estate of an infant or incompetent administered in the United States, in which trust or estate one or more persons who are designated nationals have an interest, beneficial or otherwise, or are co-trustees or co-representatives, is hereby authorized to engage in the following transactions:
(1) Payments of distributive shares of principal or income to all persons legally entitled thereto upon the condition prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) Other transactions arising in the administration of such trust or estate which might be engaged in if no national of a designated foreign country were a beneficiary, co-trustee or co-representative of such trust or estate upon the condition prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Any payment or distribution of any funds, securities or other choses in action to a national of a designated foreign country under this section shall be made by deposit in a blocked account in a domestic bank in the name of the national who is the ultimate beneficiary thereof.
(c) Any payment or distribution into a blocked account in a domestic bank in the name of any such national of a designated foreign country who is the ultimate beneficiary of and legally entitled to any such payment or distribution is authorized by this section, but this section does not authorize such trustee or legal representative to engage in any other transaction at the request, or upon the instructions, of any beneficiary, co-trustee or co-representative of such trust or estate or other person who is a national of any designated foreign country.
(d) The application of this section to trusts is limited to trusts established by gift, donation, or bequest from individuals or entities to benefit specific heirs, charitable causes, and similar beneficiaries. This section does not apply to trusts established for business or commercial purposes, such as sinking funds established by an issuer of securities in order to secure payment of interest or principal due on such securities.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 49 FR 27144, July 2, 1984; 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989]
§ 515.525
Certain transfers by operation of law.
(a) The following are hereby authorized:
(1) Any transfer of any dower, curtesy, community property, or other interest of any nature whatsoever, provided that such transfer arises solely as a consequence of the existence or change of marital status;
(2) Any transfer to any person by intestate succession;
(3) Any transfer to any person as administrator, executor, or other fiduciary by reason of any testamentary disposition; and
(4) Any transfer to any person as administrator, executor, or fiduciary by reason of judicial appointment or approval in connection with any testamentary disposition or intestate succession.
(b) Except to the extent authorized by § 515.522, § 515.523 or by any other license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part no transfer to any person by intestate succession and no transfer to any person as administrator, executor, or other fiduciary by reason of any testamentary disposition, and no transfer to any person as administrator, executor, or fiduciary by reason of judicial appointment or approval in connection with any testamentary disposition or intestate succession shall be deemed to terminate the interest of the decedent in the property transferred if the decedent was a designated national.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989; 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.526
Transactions involving blocked life insurance policies.
(a) The following transactions are hereby authorized:
(1) The payment of premiums and interest on policy loans with respect to any blocked life insurance policy;
(2) The issuance, servicing or transfer of any blocked life insurance policy in which the only blocked interest is that of one or more of the following:
(i) A member of the armed forces of the United States or a person accompanying such forces (including personnel of the American Red Cross, and similar organizations);
(ii) An officer or employee of the United States; or
(iii) A citizen of the United States resident in a designated foreign country; and
(3) The issuance, servicing or transfer of any blocked life insurance policy in which the only blocked interest (other than that of a person specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section) is that of a beneficiary.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not authorize:
(1) Any payment to the insurer from any blocked account except a blocked account of the insured or beneficiary, or
(2) Any payment by the insurer to a national of a designated foreign country unless payment is made by deposit in a blocked account in a domestic bank in the name of the national who is the ultimate beneficiary thereof.
(c) The application, in accordance with the provisions of the policy or the established practice of the insurer of the dividends, cash surrender value, or loan value, of any blocked life insurance policy is also hereby authorized for the purpose of:
(1) Paying premiums;
(2) Paying policy loans and interest thereon;
(3) Establishing paid-up insurance; or
(4) Accumulating such dividends or values to the credit of the policy on the books of the insurer.
(d) As used in this section:
(1) The term blocked life insurance policy shall mean any life insurance policy or annuity contract, or contract supplementary thereto, in which there is a blocked interest.
(2) Any interest of a national of a designated foreign country shall be deemed to be a “blocked interest.”
(3) The term servicing shall mean the following transactions with respect to any blocked life insurance policy:
(i) The payment of premiums, the payment of loan interest, and the repayment of policy loans;
(ii) The effecting by a life insurance company or other insurer of loans to an insured;
(iii) The effecting on behalf of an insured or surrenders, conversions, modifications, and reinstatements; and
(iv) The exercise or election by an insured of nonforfeiture options, optional modes of settlement, optional disposition of dividends, and other policy options and privileges not involving payment by the insurer.
(4) The term transfer shall mean the change of beneficiary, or the assignment or pledge of the interest of an insured in any blocked life insurance policy subsequent to the issuance thereof.
(e) This section does not authorize any transaction with respect to any blocked life insurance policy issued by a life insurance company or other insurer which is a national of a designated foreign country or which is not doing business or effecting insurance in the United States.
§ 515.527
Certain transactions with respect to United States intellectual property.
(a)(1) Transactions related to the registration and renewal in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office of patents, trademarks, and copyrights in which the Government of Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest are authorized.
(2) No transaction or payment is authorized or approved pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section with respect to a mark, trade name, or commercial name that is the same as or substantially similar to a mark, trade name, or commercial name that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated, as that term is defined in § 515.336, unless the original owner of the mark, trade name, or commercial name, or the bona fide successor-in-interest has expressly consented.
(b) This section authorizes the payment from blocked accounts or otherwise of fees currently due to the United States Government in connection with any transaction authorized in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) This section further authorizes the payment from blocked accounts or otherwise of the reasonable and customary fees and charges currently due to attorneys or representatives within the United States in connection with the transactions authorized in paragraph (a) of this section.
[60 FR 54196, Oct. 20, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.528
Certain transactions with respect to blocked foreign intellectual property.
(a) The following transactions by any person who is not a designated national are hereby authorized:
(1) The filing and prosecution of any application for a blocked foreign patent, trademark or copyright, or for the renewal thereof;
(2) The receipt of any blocked foreign patent, trademark or copyright;
(3) The filing and prosecution of opposition or infringement proceedings with respect to any blocked foreign patent, trademark, or copyright, and the prosecution of a defense to any such proceedings;
(4) The payment of fees currently due to the government of any foreign country, either directly or through an attorney or representative, in connection with any of the transactions authorized by paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of this section or for the maintenance of any blocked foreign patent, trademark or copyright; and
(5) The payment of reasonable and customary fees currently due to attorneys or representatives in any foreign country incurred in connection with any of the transactions authorized by paragraphs (a) (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.
(b) Payments effected pursuant to the terms of paragraphs (a) (4) and (5) of this section may not be made from any blocked account.
(c) As used in this section the term blocked foreign patent, trademark, or copyright shall mean any patent, petty patent, design patent, trademark or copyright issued by any foreign country in which a designated foreign country or national thereof has an interest, including any patent, petty patent, design patent, trademark, or copyright issued by a designated foreign country.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963, as amended at 60 FR 54196, Oct. 20, 1995]
§ 515.529
Powers of attorney.
(a) No power of attorney, whether granted before or after the “effective date” shall be invalid by reason of any of the provisions of this part with respect to any transaction licensed by or pursuant to the provisions of this part.
(b) This section does not authorize any transaction pursuant to a power of attorney if such transaction is prohibited by § 515.201 and is not otherwise licensed or authorized by or pursuant to this part.
(c) This section does not authorize the creation of any power of attorney in favor of any person outside of the United States or the exportation from the United States of any power of attorney.
§ 515.530
Exportation of powers of attorney or instructions relating to certain types of transactions.
(a) The exportation to any foreign country of powers of attorney or other instruments executed or issued by any person within the United States who is not a national of a designated foreign country, which are limited to authorizations or instructions to effect transactions incident to the following, are hereby authorized upon the condition prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section:
(1) The representation of the interest of such person in a decedent's estate which is being administered in a designated foreign country and the collection of the distributive share of such person in such estate;
(2) The maintenance, preservation, supervision or management of any property located in a designated foreign country in which such person has an interest; and
(3) The conveyance, transfer, release, sale or other disposition of any property specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section or any real estate or tangible personal property if the value thereof does not exceed the sum of $5,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency.
(b) No instrument which authorizes the conveyance, transfer, release, sale or other disposition of any property may be exported under this section unless it contains an express stipulation that such authority may not be exercised if the value of such property exceeds the sum of $5,000 or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency.
(c) As used in this section, the term tangible personal property shall not include cash, bullion, deposits, credits, securities, patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
§ 515.531
Payment of certain checks and drafts.
(a) Any banking institution within the United States is hereby authorized to make payments from blocked accounts with such banking institution:
(1) Of checks and drafts drawn or issued prior to the “effective date” provided:
(i) The amount involved in any one payment, acceptance, or debit does not exceed $500; or
(ii) The check or draft was within the United States in process of collection by a domestic bank on or prior to the “effective date.”
(2) [Reserved]
(b) This section does not authorize any payment to a designated foreign country or any designated national thereof except payments into a blocked account in a domestic bank, unless such designated national is otherwise licensed to receive such payment.
(c) The authorization contained in this section shall expire at the close of business on August 8, 1963.
§ 515.532
Completion of certain securities transactions.
(a) Banking institutions within the United States are hereby authorized to complete, on or before July 12, 1963 purchases and sales made prior to the “effective date” of securities purchased or sold for the account of a designated foreign country or any designated national thereof provided the following terms and conditions are complied with, respectively:
(1) The proceeds of such sale are credited to a blocked account in a banking institution in the name of the person for whose account the sale was made; and
(2) The securities so purchased are held in a blocked account in a banking institution in the name of the person for whose account the purchase was made.
(b) This section does not authorize the crediting of the proceeds of the sale of securities held in a blocked account or a subaccount thereof, to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or subaccount in which such securities were held.
§ 515.533
Transactions incident to exportations from the United States and reexportations of 100% U.S.-origin items to Cuba; negotiation of executory contracts.
(a) All transactions ordinarily incident to the exportation of items from the United States, or the reexportation of 100% U.S.-origin items from a third country, to any person within Cuba are authorized, provided that:
(1) The exportation or reexportation is licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce under the provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. app. 2401-0420) (see the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR 730-774); and
(2) Only the following payment and financing terms may be used:
(i)(A) Payment of cash in advance. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section, for the purposes of this section, the term “payment of cash in advance” means that payment is received by the seller or the seller's agent prior to shipment of the goods from the port at which they are loaded;
(B) Payment of cash in advance during Fiscal Year 2010. For sales of agricultural items delivered to Cuba between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010, or delivered pursuant to a contract entered into between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010, and shipped within twelve months from the signing of the contract, the term “payment of cash in advance” shall mean payment before the transfer of title to, and control of, the exported items to the Cuban purchaser;

Note to § 515.533(a)(2)(i)(B):
The payment rule set forth in this paragraph is required by Section 619 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117).
(ii) For authorized sales of agricultural items, financing by a banking institution located in a third country provided the banking institution is not a designated national, U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident alien, or an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches). Such financing may be confirmed or advised by a U.S. banking institution; or
(iii) For all other authorized sales, financing by a banking institution located in a third country provided the banking institution is not a designated national or a person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Such financing may be confirmed or advised by a U.S. banking institution.

Note to paragraph (a):
The transactions authorized by this paragraph include, but are not limited to, all transactions that are directly incident to the shipping of specific exports or reexports (e.g., insurance and transportation of the exports to Cuba). Transactions that are not tied to specific exports or reexports, such as transactions involving future (non-specific) shipments, must be separately licensed by OFAC. For the waiver of the prohibitions on entry into U.S. ports contained in § 515.207 for vessels transporting shipments of items between the United States and Cuba pursuant to this section, see § 515.550.
(b) Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to engage in all transactions ordinarily incident to negotiation of and entry into executory contracts for the sale of items that may be exported from the United States to Cuba or 100% U.S.-origin items that may be reexported from a third country to Cuba consistent with the export licensing policy of the Department of Commerce, provided that performance of such executory contracts is expressly made contingent on the prior authorization by the Department of Commerce.

Note to paragraph (b):
This paragraph does not authorize transactions related to travel to, from, or within Cuba. See paragraphs (e) and (f) for general licenses, and paragraph (g) for a statement of specific licensing policy, with respect to such transactions.
(c) This section does not authorize:
(1) The financing of any transactions from any blocked account.
(2) Any transaction involving, directly or indirectly, property in which any designated national, other than a person located in the country to which the exportation or reexportation is consigned, has an interest or has had an interest since the effective date set forth in § 515.201 of this part.
(d) In addition to those transactions authorized pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, all transactions ordinarily incident to the processing of payments received for items exported from the United States to any person within Cuba are authorized, provided that:
(1) The exportation is licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce under the provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2401-2420) (see the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR 730-774);
(2) The items are shipped from the port at which they are loaded on or before March 24, 2005; and
(3) Payment is received by a U.S. banking institution on or before March 24, 2005, and prior to the transfer of title to, and control of, the exported items to the Cuban purchaser.
(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:
(1) The traveler is regularly employed by a producer or distributor of the agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices or by an entity duly appointed to represent such a producer or distributor;
(2) The traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time, travel, or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full work schedule; and
(3) The traveler submits to OFAC at least 14 days in advance of each departure to Cuba a written report identifying both the traveler and the producer or distributor and describing the purpose and scope of such travel. Within 14 days of return from Cuba, the traveler shall submit a written report describing the business activities conducted, the persons with whom the traveler met in the course of such activities, and the expenses incurred. Such reports must be captioned “Section 515.533(e) Report” and faxed to 202/622-1657 or mailed to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Attn: Licensing Division, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Annex-2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20220. If more than one traveler is traveling on the same trip for or on behalf of the same producer or distributor, one combined pre-trip and one combined post-trip report may be filed covering all such travelers.
(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:
(1) The traveler is regularly employed by a telecommunications services provider that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction or by an entity duly appointed to represent such a provider;
(2) The traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time, travel, or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full work schedule; and
(3) The traveler submits to OFAC at least 14 days in advance of each departure to Cuba a written report identifying both the traveler and the telecommunications services provider that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction and describing the purpose and scope of such travel. Within 14 days of return from Cuba, the traveler shall submit a written report describing the business activities conducted, the persons with whom the traveler met in the course of such activities, and the expenses incurred. Such reports must be captioned “Section 515.533(f) Report” and faxed to 202/622-1657 or mailed to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Attn: Licensing Division, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Annex-2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20220. If more than one traveler is traveling on the same trip for or on behalf of the same telecommunications services provider that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, one combined pre-trip and one combined post-trip report may be filed covering all such travelers.
(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.
[68 FR 14146, Mar. 24, 2003, as amended at 70 FR 9225, Feb. 25, 2005; 74 FR 46004, Sept. 8, 2009; 75 FR 10997, Mar. 10, 2010]
§ 515.535
Exchange of certain securities.
(a) Subject to the limitations and conditions of paragraph (b) of this section and notwithstanding § 515.202, any banking institution within the United States is authorized to engage in the following transactions with respect to securities listed on a national securities exchange, including the withdrawal of such securities from blocked accounts:
(1) Exchange of certificates necessitated by reason of changes in corporate name, par value or capitalization,
(2) Exchanges of temporary for permanent certificates,
(3) Exchanges or deposits under plans of reorganization,
(4) Exchanges under refunding plans, or
(5) Exchanges pursuant to conversion privileges accruing to securities held.
(b) This section does not authorize the following transactions:
(1) Any exchange of securities unless the new securities and other proceeds, if any, received are deposited in the blocked account in which the original securities were held immediately prior to the exchange.
(2) Any exchange of securities registered in the name of any designated national, unless the new securities received are registered in the same name in which the securities exchanged were registered prior to the exchange.
(3) Any exchange of securities issued by a person engaged in the business of offering, buying, selling, or otherwise dealing, or trading in securities, or evidences thereof, issued by another person.
(4) Any transaction with respect to any security by an issuer or other obligor who is a designated national.
§ 515.536
Certain transactions with respect to merchandise affected by § 515.204.
(a) With respect to merchandise the importation of which is prohibited by § 515.204, all Customs transactions are authorized except the following:
(1) Entry for consumption (including any appraisement entry, any entry of goods imported in the mails, regardless of value, and any other informal entries);
(2) Entry for immediate exportation;
(3) Entry for transportation and exportation;
(4) Withdrawal from warehouse;
(5) Transfer or withdrawal from a foreign-trade zone; or
(6) Manipulation or manufacture in a warehouse or in a foreign-trade zone.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section is intended solely to allow certain restricted disposition of merchandise which is imported without proper authorization. Paragraph (a) of this section does not authorize the purchase or importation of any merchandise.
(c) The purchase outside the United States for importation into the United States of nickel-bearing materials presumptively subject to § 515.204 and the importation of such merchandise into the United States (including transactions listed in paragraph (a) of this section) are authorized if there is presented to the collector of customs in connection with such importation the original of an appropriate certificate of origin as defined in paragraph (d) of this section and provided that the merchandise was shipped to the United States directly, or on a through bill of lading, from the country issuing the appropriate certificate of origin.
(d) A certificate of origin is appropriate for the purposes of this section only if
(1) It is a certificate of origin the availability of which for Cuban Assets Control purposes has been announced in the Federal Register by the Office of Foreign Assets Control; and
(2) It bears a statement by the issuing agency referring to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations or stating that the certificate has been issued under procedures agreed upon with the U.S. Government.
[30 FR 15371, Dec. 14, 1965, as amended at 47 FR 4254, Jan. 29, 1982; 50 FR 5753, Feb. 12, 1985; 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989]
§ 515.540
[Reserved]
§ 515.542
Mail and telecommunications-related transactions.
(a) All transactions of common carriers incident to the receipt or transmission of mail between the United States and Cuba are authorized.
(b) All transactions, including but not limited to payments, incident to the provision of telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba, the provision of satellite radio or satellite television services to Cuba, or the entry into and performance under roaming service agreements with telecommunications services providers in Cuba, by a telecommunications services provider that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction are authorized. This paragraph does not authorize any transactions addressed in paragraphs (c), (d), (f) or (g) of this section, nor does it authorize the entry into or performance of a contract with or for the benefit of any particular individual in Cuba.
(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.
(d)(1) General license for telecommunications facilities linking the United States and Cuba. Transactions incident to the establishment of facilities to provide telecommunications services linking the United States and Cuba, including but not limited to fiber-optic cable and satellite facilities, are authorized.
(2) Specific licenses for telecommunications facilities linking third countries and Cuba. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing transactions incident to the establishment of facilities to provide telecommunications services linking third countries and Cuba, including but not limited to fiber-optic cable and satellite facilities, provided that such facilities are necessary to provide efficient and adequate telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba.
(e) Any entity subject to U.S. jurisdiction relying on paragraph (b), (c), (d)(1), or (d)(2) of this section shall notify OFAC in writing within 30 days after commencing or ceasing to offer such services, as applicable, and shall furnish by January 15 and July 15 of each year semiannual reports providing the total amount of all payments made to Cuba or a third country related to any of the services authorized by this section during the prior six months. These notifications and reports must be captioned “Section 515.542 Notification” or “Section 515.542 Report” and faxed to 202/622-6931 or mailed to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Attn: Policy Division, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Annex-4th Floor, Washington, DC 20220.
(f) For the purposes of this section, the term telecommunications services includes but is not limited to telephone, telegraph, and similar services and the transmission of satellite radio and satellite television broadcasts and news wire feeds.
(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 § 515.564 of this part. Nothing in this § 515.542 authorizes transactions related to travel to, from, or within Cuba.
[74 FR 46005, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 515.543
Proof of origin.
Specific licenses for importation of goods of Cuban origin are generally not issued unless the applicant submits satisfactory documentary proof of the location of the goods outside Cuba prior to July 8, 1963 and of the absence of any Cuban interest in the goods at all times on or since that date. Since the type of document which would constitute satisfactory proof varies depending upon the facts of the particular case, it is not possible to state in advance the type of documents required. However, it has been found that affidavits, statements, invoices, and other documents prepared by manufacturers, processors, sellers or shippers cannot be relied on and are therefore not by themselves accepted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control as satisfactory proof of origin. Independent corroborating documentary evidence, such as insurance documents, bills of lading, etc., may be accepted as satisfactory proof.
[39 FR 25317, July 10, 1974]
§ 515.544
Gifts of Cuban origin goods.
(a) Except as stated in paragraph (b) of this section, specific licenses are not issued for the importation of Cuban-origin goods sent as gifts to persons in the United States or acquired abroad as gifts by persons entering the United States. However, licenses are issued upon request for the return of such goods to the donors in countries other than Cuba.
(b) Specific licenses are issued for the importation directly from Cuba:
(1) Of goods which are claimed by the importer to have been sent as a bona fide gift or
(2) Of goods which are imported by a person entering the U.S., which are claimed to have been acquired in Cuba as a bona fide gift, subject to the conditions that:
(i) The goods are of small value, and
(ii) There is no reason to believe that there is, or has been since July 8, 1963, any direct or indirect financial or commercial benefit to Cuba or nationals thereof from the importation.
[39 FR 25317, July 10, 1974; 39 FR 28434, Aug. 7, 1974, as amended at 49 FR 27144, July 2, 1984]
§ 515.545
Transactions related to information and informational materials.
(a) Transactions relating to the dissemination of informational materials are authorized, including remittance of royalties paid for informational materials that are reproduced, translated, subtitled, or dubbed. This section does not authorize the remittance of royalties or other payments relating to works not yet in being, or for marketing and business consulting services, or artistic or other substantive alteration or enhancements to informational materials, as provided in § 515.206(a)(3).
(b) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) for purposes related to the exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials as defined in § 515.332.

Note to § 515.545.
With respect to transactions necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of manuscripts, books, journals and newspapers, see § 515.577.
[54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 39257, Aug. 2, 1995; 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999; 69 FR 75469, Dec. 17, 2004; 74 FR 46006, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 515.546
Accounts of Cuban sole proprietorships.
Specific licenses are issued unblocking sole proprietorships established under the laws of Cuba if the proprietor has emigrated from Cuba and established residence in the United States or a country in the authorized trade territory.
[39 FR 25319, July 10, 1974. Redesignated at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.547
Research samples.
Specific licenses are issued for importation of Cuban-origin commodities for bona-fide research purposes in sample quantities only.
[39 FR 25318, July 10, 1974]
§ 515.548
Services rendered by Cuba to United States aircraft.
Payment to Cuba of charges for services rendered by Cuba in connection with overflights of Cuba or emergency landings in Cuba by aircraft registered in the United States or owned or controlled by, or chartered to, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction is authorized.
[77 FR 71530, Dec. 3, 2012]
§ 515.549
Bank accounts and other property of non-Cuban citizens who were in Cuba on or after July 8, 1963.
(a) Citizens of foreign countries. Specific licenses are issued unblocking the accounts and other property of non-Cuban citizens who have left Cuba, provided that they submit evidence satisfactorily demonstrating that they have established residence in a foreign country in the authorized trade territory.
(b) Decedents who died in Cuba on or after July 8, 1963. Specific licenses are issued authorizing the administration of the estates of non-Cuban decedents who died in Cuba, provided that any distribution to a blocked national of Cuba is made by deposit in a blocked account in a domestic bank in the name of the blocked national.
[39 FR 25318, July 10, 1974]
§ 515.550
Certain vessel transactions authorized.
Unless a vessel has otherwise engaged in transactions that would prohibit entry pursuant to § 515.207, § 515.207 shall not apply to a vessel that is:
(a) Engaging in trade with Cuba authorized by licenses issued pursuant to § 515.533 or § 515.559; or
(b) Engaging in trade with Cuba that is exempt from the prohibitions of this part (see § 515.206).
[64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.551
Joint bank accounts.
(a) Specific licenses are issued unblocking a portion of or all of a joint bank account blocked by reason of the fact that one or more of the persons in whose names the account is held is a blocked national, where a non-blocked applicant claims beneficial ownership, as follows:
(1) Joint bank account, without survivorship provisions. Specific licenses are issued unblocking only that amount with respect to which the applicant is able to prove beneficial ownership by documentary evidence independent of his assertions of interest.
(2) Joint bank account, with survivorship provisions. Specific licenses are issued unblocking an amount equivalent to that portion of the total amount to which the applicant would be entitled if the total were divided evenly among the persons in whose names the account is held (e.g. 50 percent where there are two names; 331/3 percent where there are three names). Such licenses generally are issued on the basis of applicant's assertions of beneficial ownership interest without the requirement of independent evidence.
(3) Joint bank account in the names of a husband and wife, with survivorship provision. Specific licenses are issued unblocking portions of such accounts blocked by reason of the residence of one spouse in Cuba in favor of the non-blocked spouse under the policy stated in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. However, if 50 percent of the account has been unblocked under that policy, and the spouse who is the blocked Cuban national subsequently dies, the surviving spouse may be entitled to a license unblocking the remainder of the assets under § 515.522.
(b) [Reserved]
[39 FR 25318, July 10, 1974, as amended at 49 FR 27145, July 2, 1984; 54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989; 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.552
Proceeds of insurance policies.
(a) Specific licenses are issued authorizing payment of the proceeds of blocked life insurance policies issued on the life of a Cuban national who died in Cuba after July 8, 1963, to certain beneficiaries licensed as unblocked nationals pursuant to § 515.505, as follows:
(1) The applicant is a permanent resident of the United States or the authorized trade territory and is not a specially designated national; and
(2) No interest on the part of a designated national not licensed as an unblocked national exists in that portion of the funds to which the applicant is entitled.
(b) Applications for specific licenses under this section must include all of the following information:
(1) Proof of permanent residence in the United States or the authorized trade territory, to be established by the submission of documentation issued by relevant government authorities that must include at least two of the following documents:
(i) Passport;
(ii) Voter registration card;
(iii) Permanent resident alien card; or
(iv) National identity card.
Other documents tending to show residency, such as income tax returns, may also be submitted in support of government documentation, but will not suffice in and of themselves;
(2) Proof of entitlement under the insurance policy to be established by a copy of the policy and an affidavit from an appropriate officer of a recognized insurance company acknowledging the legitimacy of the beneficiary's claim and the amount of the payment; and
(c) Any document provided pursuant to this section that is not written in the English language must be accompanied by a translation into English, as well as a certification by the translator that he is not an interested party to the proceeding, is qualified to make the translation, and has made an accurate translation of the document in question.
[54 FR 5234, Feb. 2, 1989]
§ 515.553
Bank accounts of official representatives in Cuba of foreign governments.
Specific licenses are issued authorizing payments from accounts of official representatives in Cuba of foreign governments for transactions which are not inconsistent with the purposes of any of the regulations in this chapter.
[39 FR 25319, July 10, 1974]
§ 515.554
Transfers of abandoned property under State laws.
(a) Except as stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, specific licenses are not issued authorizing the transfer of blocked property to State agencies under State laws governing abandoned property.
(b) Specific licenses are issued authorizing the transfer of blocked property, pursuant to the laws of the State governing abandoned property, to the appropriate State agency: Provided, That the State's laws are custodial in nature, i.e., there is no permanent transfer of beneficial interest to the State. Licenses require the property to be held by the State in accounts which are identified as blocked under the regulations. A separate index of these blocked assets is required to be maintained by the State agency. The requirements of this section for identification and separate indexing of blocked assets apply to all blocked assets held by State agencies and any licenses issued prior to the effective date of this section hereby are amended by the incorporation of such requirements.
(c) To be eligible for a specific license under this section, the state agency must demonstrate that it has the statutory authority under appropriate state law to comply with the requirements of § 515.205. Such a showing shall include an opinion of the State Attorney General that such statutory authority exists.
[44 FR 11771, Mar. 2, 1979]
§ 515.555
Assets of Cuban firms wholly or substantially owned by U.S. citizens.
(a) Specific licenses are issued to applicants requesting the unblocking of their stock in Cuban corporations if:
(1) The corporation was wholly or substantially owned by United States citizens on July 8, 1963;
(2) The assets are in the United States and either;
(3) The applicant is a stockholder who was a United States citizen on July 8, 1963 and owned the stock interests on that date; or,
(4) The applicant is a non-blocked person who acquired such stock interest after July 8, 1963 from a person specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
(b) The issuance of licenses is conditioned on the applicant's furnishing the following information:
(1) Detailed information as to the status of all debts and other obligations of the Cuban corporation, specifying the citizenship and residence of each creditor as of July 8, 1963, and as of the date of filing of the application;
(2) Current status of the Cuban corporation, e.g., liquidated, nationalized, inoperative, etc.;
(3) A detailed description of all the corporation's assets, wherever located;
(4) A list of all officers, directors, and stockholders giving the citizenship and the residence of each such person as of July 8, 1963; and,
(5) Satisfactory proof that such stock was owned by U.S. citizens as of July 8, 1963. Such proof may consist of sworn statements by the persons in question attesting to their citizenship. The Office of Foreign Assets Control reserves the right to require additional proof of citizenship.
[39 FR 25319, July 10, 1974]
§ 515.556
[Reserved]
§ 515.557
Accounts of Cuban partnerships.
Specific licenses are issued unblocking partnerships established under the laws of Cuba as follows:
(a) Where all of the general partners and limited partners, if any, have emigrated from Cuba and have established residence in the United States or in a country in the authorized trade territory, specific licenses are issued unblocking the assets of the partnership after deducting the total debt due creditors wherever located.
(b) Where one or more partners, whether general or limited, is still in Cuba (or elsewhere but still blocked), specific licenses are issued unblocking only the net pro-rata shares of those partners who are resident in the United States or in a country in the authorized trade territory after deducting the total debt due creditors wherever located.
(c) The issuance of licenses is conditioned on the applicant's furnishing the following information:
(1) Detailed information as to the status of all debts and other obligations of the blocked partnership, specifying the citizenship and residence of each creditor as of July 8, 1963, and as of the date of the application;
(2) Current status of the Cuban partnership, e.g., liquidated, nationalized, inoperative, etc.;
(3) A detailed description of all the partnership's assets, wherever located; and,
(4) A list of all partners, indicating whether they are general, limited, etc. and giving their citizenship and residence as of July 8, 1963, and as of the date of filing of the application.
[39 FR 25319, July 10, 1974]
§ 515.558
Bunkering of Cuban vessels and fueling of Cuban aircraft by American-owned or controlled foreign firms.
Foreign firms owned or controlled by United States persons are authorized to engage in transactions ordinarily incident to the bunkering of vessels and to the fueling of aircraft owned or controlled by, or chartered to, Cuba or nationals thereof.
(50 U.S.C. App. 5(b); 22 U.S.C. 2370(a); E. O. 9193, 3 CFR 1943 Cum. Supp.; Treas. Dept. Order No. 128, 32 FR 3472)
[42 FR 58518, Nov. 10, 1977; 43 FR 19852, May 9, 1978. Redesignated at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.559
Certain transactions by U.S.-owned or controlled foreign firms with Cuba.
(a) Effective October 23, 1992, no specific licenses will be issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section for transactions between U.S.-owned or controlled firms in third countries and Cuba for the exportation to Cuba of commodities produced in the authorized trade zone or for the importation of goods of Cuban origin into countries in the authorized trade zone, unless, in addition to meeting all requirements of paragraph (b), one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The contract underlying the proposed transaction was entered into prior to October 23, 1992;
(2) The transaction is for the exportation of medicine or medical supplies from a third country to Cuba, which shall not be restricted:
(i) Except to the extent such restrictions would be permitted under section 5(m) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 or section 203(b)(2) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act if the exportation were subject to these provisions;
(ii) Except in a case in which there is a reasonable likelihood that the item to be exported will be used for purposes of torture or other human rights abuses;
(iii) Except in a case in which there is a reasonable likelihood that the item to be exported will be reexported; or
(iv) Except in a case in which the item to be exported could be used in the production of any biotechnological product; and
(v) Except in a case where it is determined that the United States Government is unable to verify, by on-site inspection or other means, that the item to be exported will be used for the purpose for which it was intended and only for the use and benefit of the Cuban people, but this exception shall not apply to donations for humanitarian purposes to a nongovernmental organization in Cuba.
(3) The transaction is for the exportation of telecommunications equipment from a third country, when the equipment is determined to be necessary for efficient and adequate telecommunications service between the United States and Cuba.
(b) Specific licenses will be issued in appropriate cases for certain categories of transactions between U.S.-owned or controlled firms in third countries and Cuba, where local law requires, or policy in the third country favors, trade with Cuba. The categories include:
(1) Exportation to Cuba of commodities produced in the authorized trade territory, provided:
(i) The commodities to be exported are non-strategic;
(ii) United States-origin technical data (other than maintenance, repair and operations data) will not be transferred;
(iii) If any U.S.-origin parts and components are included therein, such inclusion has been authorized by the Department of Commerce;
(iv) If any U.S.-origin spares are to be reexported to Cuba in connection with a licensed transaction, such reexport has been authorized by the Department of Commerce;
(v) No U.S. dollar accounts are involved; and
(vi) Any financing or other extension of credit by a U.S.-owned or controlled firm is granted on normal short-term conditions which are appropriate for the commodity to be exported.
(2) Travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are directly incident to marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing of exports that are consistent with the licensing policy under this section.
(3) Importation of goods of Cuban origin into countries in the authorized trade territory.

Note to paragraph (b):
On October 23, 1992, sections 1705 and 1706 of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-484 (Oct. 23, 1992) (codified at 22 U.S.C. 6004 and 6005, respectively), prohibited OFAC from issuing licenses for any transaction described in this paragraph other than those transactions currently set forth in paragraph (a).
(c) The term strategic goods means any item, regardless of origin, of a type included in the Commodity Control List of the U.S. Department of Commerce (15 CFR part 399) and identified by the code letter “A” following the Export Control Commodity Numbers, or of a type the unauthorized exportation of which from the United States is prohibited by regulations issued under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, 22 U.S.C. 2778, or under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 42 U.S.C. 2011, et seq., or successor acts restricting the export of strategic goods.

Note to § 515.559:
For reexportation of U.S.-origin goods, wares, or merchandise by U.S.-owned or controlled foreign firms, see § 515.533. Transactions by U.S.-owned or controlled foreign firms directly incident to the exportation of information or informational materials or the donation of food to nongovernmental entities or individuals in Cuba are exempt from the prohibitions of this part. See § 515.206. For the waiver of the prohibitions contained in § 515.207 with respect to vessels transporting shipments of goods, wares, or merchandise pursuant to this section, see § 515.550.
[40 FR 47108, Oct. 8, 1975, as amended at 42 FR 1472, Jan. 7, 1977; 42 FR 16621, Mar. 29, 1977; 50 FR 27438, July 3, 1985; 53 FR 47527, Nov. 23, 1988; 58 FR 34710, June 29, 1993; 64 FR 25814, May 13, 1999; 66 FR 36687, July 12, 2001; 68 FR 14146, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.560
Travel-related transactions to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
(a) The travel-related transactions listed in paragraph (c) of this section may be authorized either by a general license or on a case-by-case basis by a specific license for travel related to the following activities (see the referenced sections for the applicable general and specific licensing criteria):
(1) Family visits (general and specific licenses) (see § 515.561);
(2) Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations (general license) (see § 515.562);
(3) Journalistic activity (general and specific licenses) (see § 515.563);
(4) Professional research and professional meetings (general and specific licenses) (see § 515.564);
(5) Educational activities (general and specific licenses) (see § 515.565);
(6) Religious activities (general and specific licenses) (see § 515.566);
(7) Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions (specific licenses) (see § 515.567);
(8) Support for the Cuban people (specific licenses) (see § 515.574);
(9) Humanitarian projects (specific licenses) (see § 515.575);
(10) Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes (specific licenses) (see § 515.576);
(11) Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials (specific licenses) (see § 515.545); and
(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).
(b) Effective October 28, 2000, no specific licenses will be issued authorizing the travel-related transactions in paragraph (c) of this section in connection with activities other than those referenced in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Persons generally or specifically licensed under this part to engage in transactions in connection with travel to, from, and within Cuba may engage in the following transactions:
(1) Transportation to and from Cuba. All transportation-related transactions ordinarily incident to travel to and from (not within) Cuba are authorized.
(2) Living expenses in Cuba. All transactions ordinarily incident to travel anywhere within Cuba, including payment of living expenses and the acquisition in Cuba of goods for personal consumption there, are authorized, provided that, unless otherwise authorized, the total for such expenses does not exceed the “maximum per diem rate” for Havana, Cuba, in effect during the period that the travel takes place. The maximum per diem rate is published in the Department of State's “Maximum Travel per Diem Allowances for Foreign Areas,” a supplement to section 925, Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), which is available from the Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371945, Pittsburgh, PA 1520-7954, and on the Department of State's Office of Allowances Web site (http://aoprals.state.gov).
(3) Importation of Cuban merchandise prohibited. Nothing in this section authorizes the importation into the United States of any merchandise purchased or otherwise acquired in Cuba, including but not limited to any importation of such merchandise as accompanied baggage. The importation of Cuban-origin information and informational materials is exempt from the prohibitions of this part, as described in § 515.206.
(4) Carrying remittances to Cuba. The carrying to Cuba of any remittances that the licensed traveler is authorized to remit pursuant to § 515.570 is authorized, provided that:
(i) The total of all remittances authorized by § 515.570(a) through (d) does not exceed $3,000; and
(ii) No emigration remittances authorized by § 515.570(e) are carried to Cuba unless a U.S. immigration visa has been issued for each payee and the licensed traveler can produce the visa recipients' full names, dates of birth, visa numbers, and visa dates of issuance.

Note to paragraph (c)(4):
This paragraph does not authorize a traveler to carry remittances on behalf of other remitters.
(5) Processing certain financial instruments. All transactions incident to the processing and payment of checks, drafts, travelers' checks, and similar instruments negotiated in Cuba by any person authorized pursuant to this part to engage in financial transactions in Cuba. For purposes of this section, the authorized transactions may be conducted using currency, which is defined as money, cash, drafts, notes, travelers' checks, negotiable instruments, or scrip having a specified or readily determinable face value or worth, but which does not include gold or other precious metals in any form.
(d) A blocked Cuban national permanently resident outside the United States who is departing the United States may carry currency, as that term is defined in paragraph (c)(5) of this section, as follows:
(1) The amount of any currency brought into the United States by the Cuban national and registered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon entry;
(2) Up to $3,000 in funds received as remittances by the Cuban national during his or her stay in the United States; and
(3) Compensation earned by a Cuban national from a U.S. academic institution up to any amount that can be substantiated through payment receipts from such institution as authorized pursuant to § 515.565(a)(5).
(e) The following transactions by persons generally or specifically licensed to engage in travel-related transactions to, from, and within Cuba are prohibited by § 515.201 unless specifically authorized:
(1) All transactions by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction related to the utilization of charge cards, including but not limited to debit or credit cards, for expenditures in Cuba.
(2) All transactions related to the processing and payment by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, such as charge card issuers or intermediary banks, of charge card instruments (e.g., vouchers, drafts, or sales receipts) for expenditures in Cuba. The issuer of a charge card, or a foreign charge card firm owned or controlled by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, is not authorized to deal with a Cuban enterprise, a Cuban national, or a third-country person, such as a franchisee, in connection with the extension of charge card services to any person in Cuba.
(f) Nothing in this section authorizes transactions in connection with tourist travel to Cuba.
[64 FR 25814, May 13, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 36688, July 12, 2001; 68 FR 14146, Mar. 24, 2003; 69 FR 33771 and 33773, June 16, 2004; 74 FR 46006, Sept. 8, 2009; 76 FR 5074, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 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.
[74 FR 46006, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 515.562
Officials of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations traveling to, from, and within Cuba on official business.
The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to activities in their official capacities by persons who are officials of the United States Government, any foreign government, or any intergovernmental organization of which the United States is a member and who are traveling on the official business of their government or international organization are authorized.
[64 FR 25815, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.563
Journalistic activities in Cuba.
(a) General license. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to journalistic activities in Cuba by persons regularly employed as journalists by a news reporting organization or by persons regularly employed as supporting broadcast or technical personnel are authorized.

Note to paragraph (a):
See §§ 501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The exportation of equipment and other items to be used in journalistic activities may require separate licensing by the Department of Commerce.
(b) Specific licenses. (1) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are directly incident to journalistic activities in Cuba for a free-lance journalistic project upon submission of an adequate written application including the following documentation:
(i) A detailed itinerary and a detailed description of the proposed journalistic activities; and
(ii) A resume or similar document showing a record of journalism.
(2) To qualify for a specific license pursuant to this section, the itinerary in Cuba for a free-lance journalistic project must demonstrate that the journalistic activities constitute a full work schedule that could not be accomplished in a shorter period of time.
(3) Specific licenses may be issued pursuant to this section authorizing transactions for multiple trips to Cuba over an extended period of time by applicants demonstrating a significant record of journalism.
[64 FR 25815, May 13, 1999, as amended at 76 FR 5075, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 515.564
Professional research and professional meetings in Cuba.
(a) General license—(1) Professional research. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions that are directly incident to professional research by full-time professionals who travel to Cuba to conduct professional research in their professional areas are authorized, provided that:
(i) The research is of a noncommercial, academic nature;
(ii) The research comprises a full work schedule in Cuba;
(iii) The research has a substantial likelihood of public dissemination; and
(iv) The research does not fall within the categories of activities described in paragraph (c), (d), or (e) of this section.

Note to paragraph (a)(1):
This general license does not authorize as professional research any travel-related transactions incident to attendance at professional meetings or conferences. Such transactions must either qualify under the general license set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section or be the subject of a request for a specific license under paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) Professional meetings organized by an international professional organization. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to travel to Cuba by full-time professionals to attend professional meetings or conferences in Cuba organized by an international professional organization, institution, or association that regularly sponsors meetings or conferences in other countries are authorized, provided that:
(i) The international professional organization, institution, or association is not headquartered in the United States unless that organization, institution, or association has been specifically licensed to sponsor the meeting in Cuba;
(ii) The purpose of the meeting or conference is not the promotion of tourism in Cuba or other commercial activities involving Cuba that are inconsistent with this part; and
(iii) The meeting or conference is not intended primarily for the purpose of fostering production of any biotechnological products.
(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:
(i) The traveler is regularly employed by a telecommunications services provider that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction or by an entity duly appointed to represent such a provider; and
(ii) The traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time, travel, or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full work schedule.

Note to paragraph (a):
See §§ 501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Exportation of equipment and other items, including the transfer of technology or software to foreign persons (“deemed exportation”) and items not eligible for Department of Commerce GFT or BAG License Exceptions, 15 CFR 740.12 and 740.14, may require separate authorization by the Department of Commerce.
(b) Specific licensing. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are directly incident to professional research and professional meetings that do not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section. Specific licenses may be issued pursuant to this section authorizing transactions for multiple trips to Cuba over an extended period of time by applicants demonstrating a significant record of research. Specific licenses will not be issued for travel-related transactions for purposes of attendance at meetings or conferences in Cuba organized by the Cuban government where such meetings or conferences could be intended primarily for the purpose of fostering the production of any biotechnological products.
(c) Categories of activities that do not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section and for which the specific licenses described in paragraph (b) of this section will not be issued include recreational travel; tourist travel; travel in pursuit of a hobby; research for personal satisfaction only; and any travel for an authorized professional research purpose if the schedule of activities includes free time, travel, or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full work schedule of professional research or attendance at professional meetings or conferences.
(d) An entire group does not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section and will not be issued a specific license under paragraph (b) of this section merely because some members of the group could qualify individually for such licenses.

Example 1 to paragraph (d):
A musicologist travels to Cuba to do research on Cuban music pursuant to the general license for professional researchers set forth in paragraph (a) of this section. Others who are simply interested in music but who do not research music as part of their careers may not engage in travel-related transactions with the musicologist in reliance on this general license. For example, an art historian who plays in the same band with the musicologist would not qualify as a professional researcher of Cuban music for purposes of this general license.

Example 2 to paragraph (d):
A specific license issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section authorizing travel-related transactions by a fish biologist who travels to Cuba to engage in professional research does not authorize transactions by other persons who might travel with the fish biologist but whose principal purpose in travel is to engage in recreational or trophy fishing. The fact that such persons may engage in certain activities with or under the direction of the professional fish biologist, such as measuring or recording facts about their catch, does not bring these individuals' activities within the scope of professional research and similar activities.
(e) A person will not qualify as engaging in professional research merely because that person is a professional who plans to travel to Cuba.

Example 1 to paragraph (e):
A professor of history interested in traveling to Cuba for the principal purpose of learning or practicing Spanish or attending general purpose lectures devoted to Cuban culture and contemporary life does not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section or for a specific license issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.

Example 2 to paragraph (e):
A professional photographer who wishes to take photographs in Cuba that will become the basis for creating post cards, paintings, and other secondary products or that merely document the photographer's travel does not qualify for the general license in paragraph (a) of this section or for a specific license issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.
[64 FR 25815, May 13, 1999, as amended at 69 FR 33772, June 16, 2004; 74 FR 46006, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 515.565
Educational activities.
(a) General license. Accredited U.S. graduate and undergraduate degree-granting academic institutions, including faculty, staff, and students of such institutions, are authorized to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions that are directly incident to:
(1) Participation in a structured educational program in Cuba as part of a course offered for credit by the sponsoring U.S. academic institution. An individual traveling to engage in such transactions must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, stating that the Cuba-related travel is part of a structured educational program of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, and stating that the individual is a member of the faculty or staff of that institution or is a student currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. academic institution and that the study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree;
(2) Noncommercial academic research in Cuba specifically related to Cuba and for the purpose of obtaining a graduate degree. A student traveling to engage in such transactions must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, stating that the individual is a student currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at an accredited U.S. academic institution, and stating that the research in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree;
(3) Participation in a formal course of study at a Cuban academic institution, provided the formal course of study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward the student's graduate or undergraduate degree. An individual traveling to engage in such transactions must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, stating that the individual is a student currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. academic institution and that the study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree;
(4) Teaching at a Cuban academic institution by an individual regularly employed in a teaching capacity at the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, provided the teaching activities are related to an academic program at the Cuban institution and provided that the duration of the teaching will be no shorter than 10 weeks. An individual traveling to engage in such transactions must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, stating that the individual is regularly employed in a teaching capacity at that institution;
(5) Sponsorship, including the payment of a stipend or salary, of a Cuban scholar to teach or engage in other scholarly activity at the sponsoring U.S. academic institution (in addition to those transactions authorized by the general license contained in § 515.571). Such earnings may be remitted to Cuba as provided in § 515.570 or carried on the person of the Cuban scholar returning to Cuba as provided in § 515.560(d)(3); or
(6) The organization of, and preparation for, activities described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section by members of the faculty and staff of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution. An individual engaging in such transactions must carry a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, stating that the individual is a member of the faculty or staff of that institution, and is traveling to engage in the transactions authorized by this paragraph on behalf of that institution.

Note 1 to paragraph (a):
U.S. academic institutions and individual travelers must retain records related to the travel transactions authorized pursuant to this paragraph. See §§ 501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Exportation of equipment and other items, including the transfer of technology or software to foreign persons (“deemed exportation”), may require separate authorization from the Department of Commerce.

Note 2 to paragraph (a):
This paragraph authorizes all members of the faculty and staff (including but not limited to adjunct faculty and part-time staff) of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution to participate in the activities described in this paragraph. A student currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program at any accredited U.S. academic institution is authorized pursuant to this paragraph to participate in the academic activities in Cuba described above through any sponsoring U.S. academic institution, not only through the institution at which the student is pursuing a degree.
(b) Specific licenses. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions directly incident to:
(1) An individual's educational activities of the types described in paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of this section but not authorized by the general license contained in paragraph (a) of this section;
(2) Educational exchanges not involving academic study pursuant to a degree program when those exchanges take place under the auspices of an organization that sponsors and organizes such programs to promote people-to-people contact; or
(3) Sponsorship or co-sponsorship by an accredited U.S. graduate or undergraduate degree-granting academic institution of academic seminars, conferences, and workshops related to Cuba or global issues involving Cuba and attendance at such events by faculty, staff, and students of the licensed institution.
(c) Transactions related to activities that are primarily tourist-oriented, including self-directed educational activities that are intended only for personal enrichment, will not be authorized pursuant to this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the term designated representative of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution means a person designated by the relevant dean or the academic vice-president, provost, or president of the institution as the official responsible for overseeing the institution's Cuba travel program.

Note to § 515.565:
Accredited U.S. academic institutions engaging in activities authorized pursuant to this section are permitted to open and maintain accounts at Cuban financial institutions for the purpose of accessing funds in Cuba for transactions authorized pursuant to this section.
[76 FR 5075, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 515.566
Religious activities in Cuba.
(a) General license. Religious organizations located in the United States, including members and staff of such organizations, are authorized to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to religious activities in Cuba under the auspices of the organization. Travel-related transactions pursuant to this authorization must be for the purpose of engaging, while in Cuba, in a full-time program of religious activities. Financial and material donations to Cuba or Cuban nationals are not authorized by this paragraph (a). All individuals who engage in transactions in which Cuba or Cuban nationals have an interest (including travel-related transactions) pursuant to this paragraph (a) must carry with them a letter on official letterhead, signed by a designated representative of the U.S. religious organization, confirming that they are members or staff of the organization and are traveling to Cuba to engage in religious activities under the auspices of the organization.

Note to paragraph (a):
U.S. religious organizations and individual travelers must retain records related to the travel transactions authorized pursuant to this paragraph. See §§ 501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Financial donations require separate authorization under § 515.570. See § 515.533 for an authorization of the exportation of items from the United States to Cuba. Exportation of items to be used in Cuba may require separate licensing by the Department of Commerce.
(b) Specific licenses. Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are directly incident to religious activities not authorized by the general license contained in paragraph (a) of this section. The application for the specific license must set forth examples of religious activities to be undertaken in Cuba. Specific licenses may be issued pursuant to this section authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended period of time to engage in a full-time program of religious activities in Cuba.
(c) For the purposes of this section, the term designated representative of the U.S. religious organization means a person designated as the official responsible for overseeing the organization's Cuba travel program.

Note to § 515.566:
Religious organizations engaging in activities authorized pursuant to this section are permitted to open and maintain accounts at Cuban financial institutions for the purpose of accessing funds in Cuba for transactions authorized pursuant to this section.
[76 FR 5076, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 515.567
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions.
(a) Amateur and semi-professional international sports federation competitions. Specific licenses, including for multiple trips to Cuba over an extended period of time, may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are directly incident to athletic competition by amateur or semi-professional athletes or athletic teams wishing to travel to participate in athletic competition in Cuba, provided that:
(1) The athletic competition in Cuba is held under the auspices of the international sports federation for the relevant sport;
(2) The U.S. participants in the athletic competition are selected by the U.S. federation for the relevant sport; and
(3) The competition is open for attendance, and in relevant situations participation, by the Cuban public.
(b) Public performances, clinics, workshops, other athletic or non-athletic competitions, and exhibitions. Specific licenses, including for multiple trips to Cuba over an extended period of time, may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are directly incident to participation in a public performance, clinic, workshop, athletic competition not covered by paragraph (a) of this section, non-athletic competition, or exhibition in Cuba by participants in such activities, provided that:
(1) The event is open for attendance, and in relevant situations participation, by the Cuban public;
(2) All U.S. profits from the event after costs are donated to an independent nongovernmental organization in Cuba or a U.S.-based charity, with the objective, to the extent possible, of promoting people-to-people contacts or otherwise benefiting the Cuban people; and
(3) Any clinics or workshops in Cuba must be organized and run, at least in part, by the licensee.
(c) Specific licenses will not be issued pursuant to this section authorizing any debit to a blocked account.

Note to § 515.567:
See § 515.571 for the authorization of certain transactions related to the activities of nationals of Cuba traveling in the United States.
[69 FR 33772, June 16, 2004, as amended at 76 FR 5076, Jan. 28, 2011]]
§ 515.568
[Reserved]
§ 515.569
Foreign passengers' baggage.
The importation of Cuban-origin goods, otherwise prohibited by this part, brought into the United States as baggage by any person arriving in the United States other than a citizen or resident of the United States is hereby authorized, notwithstanding the provisions of § 515.803, provided that such goods are not in commercial quantities and are not imported for resale. This authorization does not apply to the importation of Cuban-origin alcohol or tobacco products.
[64 FR 25818, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.570
Remittances.
(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 (f) 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 (e) of this section.
(b) Periodic $500 remittances authorized. Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to make remittances to Cuban nationals, including, but not limited to, remittances to support the development of private businesses, provided that:
(1) The remitter's total remittances pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section to any one Cuban national do not exceed $500 in any consecutive three-month period;
(2) The remittances are not made from a blocked source;
(3) 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;
(4) The remittances are not made for emigration-related purposes. Remittances for emigration-related purposes are addressed by paragraph (e) of this section; and
(5) The remitter, if an individual, is 18 years of age or older.
(c) Remittances to religious organizations in Cuba authorized. Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to make remittances to religious organizations in Cuba in support of religious activities, provided that the remittances are not made from a blocked source and that the remitter, if an individual, is 18 years of age or older.
(d) Remittances to students in Cuba pursuant to an educational license authorized. Persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who are 18 years of age or older are authorized to make remittances to close relatives, as defined in § 515.339 of this part, who are students in Cuba pursuant to the general license authorizing certain educational activities in § 515.565(a) of this part or a specific license issued pursuant to § 515.565(b) of this part, provided that the remittances are not made from a blocked source and are for the purpose of funding transactions authorized by the general license in § 515.565(a) of this part or the specific license issued pursuant to § 515.565(b) of this part under which the student is traveling.
(e) Two one-time $1,000 emigration-related 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 (f) 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 (f) of this section.
(f) Certain remittances from blocked sources authorized. 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:
(1) Funds deposited in a blocked account in a banking institution in the United States held in the name of, or in which the beneficial interest is held by, a national of Cuba as a result of a valid testamentary disposition, intestate succession, or payment from a life insurance policy or annuity contract triggered by the death of the policy or contract holder may be remitted:
(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 (e) of this section.
(2) Up to $300 in any consecutive three-month period may be remitted from any blocked account in a banking institution in the United States to a Cuban national in a third country who is an individual in whose name, or for whose beneficial interest, the account is held.
(g) 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 to independent non-governmental entities in Cuba, including but not limited to pro-democracy groups and civil society groups, and to members of such groups or organizations, or to individuals or independent non-governmental entities to support the development of private businesses, including small farms;
(2) Remittances from a blocked account to a Cuban national in excess of the amount specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section; or
(3) Remittances by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to a person in Cuba, directly or indirectly, for transactions to facilitate non-immigrant travel by an individual in Cuba to the United States under circumstances where humanitarian need is demonstrated, including but not limited to illness or other medical emergency.

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 the “List of Authorized Providers of Air, Travel and Remittance Forwarding Services to Cuba” available from OFAC's Web site (http://www.treasury.gov/ofac).
[76 FR 5076, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 515.571
Certain transactions incident to travel to, from, and within the United States by Cuban nationals.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the following transactions by or on behalf of a Cuban national who enters the United States on a non-immigrant visa or other non-immigrant travel authorization issued by the State Department are authorized:
(1) All transactions ordinarily incident to travel between the United States and Cuba, including the importation into the United States of accompanied baggage for personal use;
(2) All transactions ordinarily incident to travel and maintenance within the United States, including the payment of living expenses and the acquisition of goods for personal consumption in the United States;
(3) All transactions on behalf of aircraft or vessels incident to non-scheduled flights or voyages between the United States and Cuba, provided that the carrier used has a carrier service provider license issued pursuant to § 515.572. This paragraph does not authorize the carriage of any merchandise into the United States except accompanied baggage; and
(4) Normal banking transactions involving foreign currency drafts, travelers' checks, or other instruments negotiated incident to travel in the United States by any person under the authority of this section.
(5) All transactions ordinarily incident to the activities for which a visa or other travel authorization was issued.
(i) This paragraph (a)(5) does not authorize receipt of compensation in excess of amounts covering living expenses and the acquisition of goods for personal consumption. See § 515.565(a)(5) of this part for an authorization of payments to certain Cuban scholars of stipends or salaries that exceed this limit.
(ii) Examples of transactions authorized by this paragraph (a)(5) include: the payment of tuition to a U.S. educational institution by a national of Cuba issued a student visa; the payment of compensation covering only living expenses and the purchase of goods for personal consumption to a national of Cuba issued a performance-related visa; and the rental of a stage by a Cuban group issued a performance visa.
(b) Payments and transfers of credit in the United States from blocked accounts in domestic banking institutions held in the name of a Cuban national who enters the United States on a visa or other travel authorization issued by the State Department to or upon the order of such Cuban national are authorized provided that:
(1) Such payments and transfers of credit are made only for the living, traveling, and similar personal expenses in the United States of such Cuban national or his or her family;
(2) The total of all such payments and transfers of credit made under this section from the accounts of such Cuban national do not exceed $250 in any one calendar month; and
(3) No payment or transfer is made from a blocked account in which a specially designated national has an interest.
(c) This section does not authorize any transfer of property to Cuba, or, except as otherwise authorized in paragraph (b) of this section, any debit to a blocked account.

Note to § 515.571:
For the authorization of certain transactions by Cuban nationals who become U.S. citizens, apply for or receive U.S. permanent resident alien status, or are lawfully present in the United States in a non-visitor status, see § 515.505 of this part.
[64 FR 25819, May 13, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 14148, Mar. 24, 2003; 69 FR 33773, June 16, 2004; 76 FR 5077, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 515.572
Authorization of transactions incident to the provision of travel services, carrier services, and remittance forwarding services.
(a)(1) Authorization of travel service provider. The following persons wishing to provide services in connection with travel to Cuba are “travel service providers” for purposes of this part: Travel agents, ticket agents, commercial and noncommercial organizations that arrange travel to Cuba; tour operators; persons arranging through transportation to Cuba; persons chartering an aircraft or vessel on behalf of others in Cuba; and persons arranging hotel accommodations, ground transportation, local tours, and similar travel activities on behalf of others in Cuba. Travel service providers must obtain authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control before providing services with respect to travel to Cuba. The list stated above should not be considered exhaustive, as other persons may be “travel service providers” within the meaning of this part. Opinions may be obtained from the Office of Foreign Assets Control concerning the applicability of this licensing requirement in individual cases.
(2) Authorization of carrier service provider. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction wishing to provide carrier services by aircraft or vessels incidental to their non-scheduled flights or voyages to, from, or within Cuba are “carrier service providers” for purposes of this part. Carrier service providers must obtain authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control before providing services with respect to non-scheduled flights or voyages to, from, or within Cuba. Carriage to or from Cuba of any merchandise, cargo or gifts, other than those permitted to individual travelers as accompanied baggage, must also be authorized by licenses issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
(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.

Note to paragraph (a)(3):
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).
(b) Terms and conditions of authorization to engage in service transactions. Authorization to engage in service transactions will be issued only upon the applicant's written affirmation and subsequent demonstration that it does not participate in discriminatory practices of the Cuban government against certain residents and citizens of the United States. Examples of such practices include, but are not limited to, charging discriminatory rates for air travel or requiring payment for services, such as hotel accommodations and meals, not desired, planned to be utilized, or actually utilized, based on such characteristics as race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, place of birth, or national origin. Authorization, whether a grant of provisional authorization or a license issued pursuant to this part, does not permit a travel or carrier service provider to provide services in connection with any individual's transactions incident to travel which are prohibited by this part.
(c) Initial applications for licenses. The initial application for a license shall contain:
(1) The applicant organization's name, address, telephone number, and the name of an official of the applicant organization responsible for its licensed services;
(2) The state of applicant's organization, if a juridical entity, the address of its principal place of business and all branch offices, the identity and ownership percentages of all shareholders or partners, and the identity and position of all principal officers and directors;
(3) Copies of any bylaws, articles of incorporation, partnership agreements, management agreements, or other documents pertaining to the organization, ownership, control, or management of the applicant; and
(4)(i) In the case of applications for authorization to serve as travel or carrier service providers, a report on the forms and other procedures used to establish that each customer is in full compliance with U.S. law implementing the Cuban embargo and either qualifies for one of the general licenses contained in this part authorizing travel-related transactions in connection with travel to Cuba or has received a specific license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control issued pursuant to this part. In the case of a customer traveling pursuant to a general license, the applicant must demonstrate that it requires each customer to attest, in a signed statement, to his or her qualification for the particular general license claimed. The statement must provide facts supporting the customer's belief that he or she qualifies for the general license claimed. In the case of a customer traveling under a specific license, the applicant must demonstrate that it requires the customer to furnish it with a copy of the license. The copy of the signed statement or the specific license must be maintained on file with the applicant.
(ii) In the case of applications for authorization as remittance forwarders, a report on the forms, account books, and other recordkeeping procedures used to determine whether each customer has violated the terms of any authorization for remittances contained in or issued pursuant to this part, or sent remittances to persons ineligible to receive them under § 515.570; and the method by which remittances are sent to Cuba and the procedures used by the applicant to ensure that the remittances are received by the persons intended.
(d) Required reports and recordkeeping. (1) Each specific license or grant of provisional authority shall require that the service provider furnish annual reports to the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Washington, DC 20220, during the term of the license. The required content of such reports and their due dates shall be provided to the service provider in a letter authorizing the provider to commence services. Each such report will cover only the one-year period immediately preceding the date of the report.
(2) While the names and addresses of individual travelers or remitters, the number and amount of each remittance, and the name and address of each recipient, as applicable, need not be submitted with annual reports, this information must be retained on file with all other information required by § 515.601 of this chapter. These records must be furnished to the Office of Foreign Assets Control on demand pursuant to § 515.602 of this chapter.
(3) Presentation of passenger lists. Tour operators, persons operating an aircraft or vessel, or persons chartering an aircraft or vessel on behalf of others, for travel to, from, and within Cuba must furnish the U.S. Customs Service on demand a list of passengers on each flight or voyage to, from, and within Cuba.
(e) Procedures governing the grant of provisional authority, denial, suspension, or revocation of authority to engage in service transactions—(1) Grant of provisional authority. Following submission of a complete application as described in paragraph (c) of this section, the submission of any additional relevant information, and a preliminary evaluation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the applicant will be notified in writing that provisional authority has been granted to provide the services contemplated in the application. This provisional authority to provide services will remain in effect pending a final decision to grant or deny the license.
(2) Denial of license—(i) Notice of denial. If the Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, determines that the application for a license to engage in service transactions related to travel to Cuba, carrier service transactions related to travel to Cuba, or transactions related to remittance forwarding should be denied for any reason, notice of denial shall be given to the applicant. The notice of denial shall state the reasons for the denial.
(ii) Grounds for denial. The causes sufficient to justify denial of an application for a license may include, but need not be limited to:
(A) Any cause which would justify suspension or revocation of the authority of a service provider pursuant to paragraph (e)(3) of this section;
(B) Failure to file a full and complete application;
(C) Any willful misstatement of pertinent facts in the application;
(D) Evidence indicating that the applicant participates in discriminatory practices of the Cuban Government against certain residents and citizens of the United States as described in paragraph (b) of this section; or
(E) A reputation imputing to the applicant criminal, dishonest, or unethical conduct, or a record of such conduct.
(3) Suspension or revocation of a license or provisional authorization. A license or provisional authorization issued pursuant to this section may be suspended for a specific period of time, or revoked, for the following reasons:
(i) The service provider has willfully made or caused to be made in any application for any license, request for a ruling or opinion, or report be filed with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, any statement that was, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which it was made, false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or has omitted to state in any application, request for ruling or opinion, or report any material fact that was required;
(ii) The service provider has failed to file timely reports or comply with the recordkeeping requirements of his license or provisional authorization.
(iii) The service provider has been convicted, at any time after filing an application for a license under this section, of any felony or misdemeanor that:
(A) Involved the importation, exportation, or transfer of property in violation of any law or regulation administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control;
(B) Arose directly out of the conduct of the business covered by the license; or
(C) Involved larceny, extortion, forgery, counterfeiting, fraudulent concealment, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, misappropriation of funds, or a violation of the Customs laws, export or import control laws, or banking laws.
(iv) The service provider has violated any provision of law enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control or the rules or regulations issued under any such provision;
(v) The service provider has counseled, commanded, induced, procured, or knowingly aided or abetted the violation by any other person of any provision of any law or regulation referred to above;
(vi) The service provider has, in the course of the business covered by the license, with felonious intent, in any manner willfully and knowingly deceived, defrauded, misled, threatened, or coerced any client or prospective client; or
(vii) The service provider has committed any other act or omission that demonstrates unfitness to conduct the business covered by the license.
[57 FR 53999, Nov. 16, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 31142, June 17, 1994; 59 FR 44886, Aug. 30, 1994; 63 FR 27349, May 18, 1998. Redesignated and amended at 64 FR 25813, 25819, May 13, 1999; 68 FR 14148, Mar. 24, 2003; 69 FR 33773, June, 16, 2004; 74 FR 46007, Sept. 8, 2009]
§ 515.573
Transactions by news organizations.
(a) Specific licenses may be issued authorizing all transactions necessary for the establishment and operation of news bureaus in Cuba whose primary purpose is the gathering and dissemination of news to the general public. Transactions that may be authorized include, but are not limited to, those incident to the following:
(1) Leasing office space and securing related goods and services;
(2) Hiring Cuban nationals to serve as support staff;
(3) Purchasing Cuban-origin goods for use in the operation of the office; and
(4) Paying fees related to the operation of the office in Cuba.
(b) Specific licenses may be issued authorizing transactions necessary for the establishment and operation of news bureaus in the United States by Cuban organizations whose primary purpose is the gathering and dissemination of news to the general public.
(c) Specific licenses may be issued authorizing transactions related to hiring Cuban nationals to provide reporting services or other services related to the gathering and dissemination of news.
(d) Note: The number assigned to a specific license issued pursuant to this section should be referenced in all import documents, and in all funds transfers and other banking transactions through banks organized or located in the United States, in connection with the licensed transaction to avoid the blocking of goods imported from Cuba and the interruption of the financial transactions with Cuba.
[60 FR 54197, Oct. 20, 1995. Redesignated at 64 FR 25813, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.574
Support for the Cuban People.
(a) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Activities of recognized human rights organizations,
(2) Activities of independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy, and
(3) Activities of individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba.
(b) Licenses will be issued pursuant to this section once the applicant shows that the proposed transactions are consistent with the purposes of this section and provides an explanation that no significant accumulation of funds or financial benefit will accrue to the government of Cuba.
[68 FR 14148, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.575
Humanitarian projects.
Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to certain humanitarian projects in or related to Cuba not otherwise covered by this part that are designed to directly benefit the Cuban people. Such projects may include, but are not limited to: medical and health-related projects; construction projects intended to benefit legitimately independent civil society groups; environmental projects; projects involving formal or non-formal educational training, within Cuba or off-island, on topics including civil education, journalism, advocacy and organizing, adult literacy, and vocational skills; community-based grassroots projects; projects suitable to the development of small scale private enterprise; projects that are related to agricultural and rural development that promote independent activity; and projects to meet basic human needs. Specific licenses may be issued authorizing transactions for multiple visits for the same project over an extended period of time by applicants demonstrating a significant record of overseas humanitarian projects.
[68 FR 14148, Mar. 24, 2003]
§ 515.576
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes.
Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to activities by private foundations or research or educational institutes that have an established interest in international relations to collect information related to Cuba for noncommercial purposes, not otherwise covered by the general license for professional research contained in § 515.564 or more properly issued under § 515.575, relating to humanitarian projects. Specific licenses may be issued pursuant to this section authorizing transactions for multiple trips to Cuba for the same project over an extended period of time.
[64 FR 25820, May 13, 1999]
§ 515.577
Authorized transactions necessary and ordinarily incident to publishing.
(a) To the extent that such activities are not exempt from this part, and subject to the restrictions set forth in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to engage in all transactions necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of manuscripts, books, journals, and newspapers in paper or electronic format (collectively, “written publications”). This section does not apply if the parties to the transactions described in this paragraph include the Government of Cuba. For the purposes of this section, the term “Government of Cuba” includes the state and the Government of Cuba, as well as any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including the Central Bank of Cuba; prohibited officials of the Government of Cuba, as defined in § 515.337 of this part; prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party, as defined in § 515.338 of this part; employees of the Ministry of Justice; and any person acting or purporting to act directly or indirectly on behalf of any of the foregoing with respect to the transactions described in this paragraph. For the purposes of this section, the term “Government of Cuba” does not include any academic and research institutions and their personnel. Pursuant to this section, the following activities are authorized, provided that persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States ensure that they are not engaging, without separate authorization, in the activities identified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section:
(1) Commissioning and making advance payments for identifiable written publications not yet in existence, to the extent consistent with industry practice;
(2) Collaborating on the creation and enhancement of written publications;
(3)(i) Augmenting written publications through the addition of items such as photographs, artwork, translation, explanatory text, and, for a written publication in electronic format, the addition of embedded software necessary for reading, browsing, navigating, or searching the written publication;
(ii) Exporting embedded software necessary for reading, browsing, navigating, or searching a written publication in electronic format, provided that, to the extent a license is required under the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR parts 730 through 774 (the “EAR”), the exportation is licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce under the provisions of the EAR;
(4) Substantive editing of written publications;
(5) Payment of royalties for written publications;
(6) Creating or undertaking a marketing campaign to promote a written publication; and
(7) Other transactions necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of written publications as described in this paragraph (a).
(b) This section does not authorize transactions involving the provision of goods or services not necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of written publications as described in paragraph (a) of this section. For example, this section does not authorize persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States:
(1) To provide or receive individualized or customized services (including, but not limited to, accounting, legal, design, or consulting services), other than those necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of written publications, even though such individualized or customized services are delivered through the use of information and informational materials;
(2) To create or undertake for any person a marketing campaign with respect to any service or product other than a written publication, or to create or undertake a marketing campaign of any kind for the benefit of the Government of Cuba;
(3) To engage in the exportation or importation of goods to or from Cuba other than the exportation of embedded software described in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section;
(4) To operate a publishing house, sales outlet, or other office in Cuba; or
(5) To engage in transactions related to travel to, from, or within Cuba.

Note to paragraph (b):
The importation from Cuba and the exportation to Cuba of information or informational materials, as defined in § 515.332, whether commercial or otherwise, regardless of format or medium of transmission, are exempt from the prohibitions and regulations of this part. See § 515.206(a).
(c) This section does not authorize persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to engage the services of publishing houses or translators in Cuba unless such activity is primarily for the dissemination of written publications in Cuba.
(d) This section does not authorize:
(1) Transactions for the development, production, or design of software;
(2) Transactions for the development, production, design, or marketing of technology specifically controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 CFR parts 120 through 130 (the “ITAR”), the EAR, or the Department of Energy Regulations set forth at 10 CFR part 810.
(3) The exportation of information or technology subject to the authorization requirements of 10 CFR part 810, or Restricted Data as defined in section 11 y. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or of other information, data, or technology the release of which is controlled under the Atomic Energy Act and regulations therein;
(4) The exportation of any item (including information) subject to the EAR where a U.S. person knows or has reason to know that the item will be used, directly or indirectly, with respect to certain nuclear, missile, chemical, or biological weapons or nuclear-maritime end-uses as set forth in part 744 of the EAR. In addition, U.S. persons are precluded from exporting any item subject to the EAR to certain restricted end-users, as set forth in part 744 of the EAR, as well as certain persons whose export privileges have been denied pursuant to parts 764 or 766 of the EAR, without authorization from the Department of Commerce; or
(5) The exportation of information subject to licensing requirements under the ITAR, or exchanges of information that are subject to regulation by other government agencies.
(e) Pursuant to § 515.564, specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis authorizing the travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions that are directly incident to attendance of professional meetings that are necessary and ordinarily incident to the publishing and marketing of written publications.
[72 FR 50048, Aug. 30, 2007, as amended at 76 FR 5077, Jan. 28, 2011]
§ 515.578
Exportation of certain services incident to Internet-based communications.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the exportation from the United States or by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to persons in Cuba of services incident to the exchange of personal communications over the Internet, such as instant messaging, chat and email, social networking, sharing of photos and movies, web browsing, and blogging, is authorized, provided that such services are publicly available at no cost to the user.
(b) This section does not authorize:
(1) The direct or indirect exportation of services with knowledge or reason to know that such services are intended for 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.
(2) The direct or indirect exportation of Internet connectivity services or telecommunications transmission facilities (such as satellite links or dedicated lines).

Note to § 515.578(b)(2):
For general licenses related to the provision of telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba and contracts for telecommunications services provided to particular individuals in Cuba, see § 515.542(b) and § 515.542(c), respectively, of this part. For a general license and a statement of specific licensing policy related to the establishment of telecommunications facilities linking the United States or third countries and Cuba, see § 515.542(d) of this part.
(3) The direct or indirect exportation of web-hosting services that are for purposes other than personal communications (e.g., web-hosting services for commercial endeavors) or of domain name registration services.
(4) The direct or indirect exportation of any items to Cuba.

Note to § 515.578(b)(4):
For the rules related to transactions ordinarily incident to the exportation or reexportation of items, including software, to Cuba, see §§ 515.533 and 515.559 of this part.
(c) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis for the exportation of other services incident to the sharing of information over the Internet.
[75 FR 10999, Mar. 10, 2010]
§ 515.579
Third-country diplomatic and consular funds transfers.
Depository institutions, as defined in § 515.333, are authorized to process funds transfers for the operating expenses or other official business of third-country diplomatic or consular missions in Cuba.
[77 FR 71531, Dec. 3, 2012]

Subpart F—Reports
§ 515.601
Records and reports.
For provisions relating to records and reports, see subpart C of part 501 of this chapter.
[62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]

Subpart G—Penalties

Source:
63 FR 10331, Mar. 3, 1998, unless otherwise noted.
§ 515.701
Penalties.
For provisions relating to penalties, see part 501, subpart D, of this chapter.
[68 FR 53657, Sept. 11, 2003]

Subpart H—Procedures
§ 515.801
Procedures.
For license application procedures and procedures relating to amendments, modifications, or revocations of licenses; administrative decisions; rulemaking; and requests for documents pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts (5 U.S.C. 552 and 552a), see part 501, subpart E, of this chapter.
[62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 53657, Sept. 11, 2003]
§ 515.802
Delegation by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Any action under § 515.201 which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to take pursuant to Proclamation 3447 or the Trading With the Enemy Act may be taken by the Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, or by any other person to whom the Secretary of the Treasury has delegated authority so to act.
[28 FR 6974, July 9, 1963. Redesignated at 62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]
§ 515.803
Customs procedures; merchandise specified in § 515.204.
(a) With respect to merchandise specified in § 515.204 (including nickel-bearing materials presumptively subject thereto) whether or not such merchandise has been imported into the United States, collectors of customs shall not accept or allow any:
(1) Entry for consumption (including any appraisement entry, any entry of goods imported in the mails, regardless of value, and any other informal entries);
(2) Entry for immediate exportation;
(3) Entry for transportation and exportation;
(4) Withdrawal from warehouse;
(5) Transfer or withdrawal from a foreign-trade zone; or
(6) Manipulation or manufacture in a warehouse or in a foreign-trade zone, unless either:
(i) The merchandise was imported prior to 12:01 a.m., February 7, 1962, or
(ii) A specific license pursuant to this part is presented, or
(iii) Instructions from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, authorizing the transaction are received, or
(iv) The original of an appropriate certificate of origin as defined in § 515.536(d) is presented.
(b) Whenever a specific license is presented to a collector of customs in accordance with this section, one additional legible copy of the entry, withdrawal or other appropriate document with respect to the merchandise involved shall be filed with the collector of customs at the port where the transaction is to take place. Each copy of any such entry, withdrawal or other appropriate document, including the additional copy, shall bear plainly on its face the number of the license pursuant to which it is filed. The original copy of the specific license shall be presented to the collector in respect of each such transaction and shall bear a notation in ink by the licensee or person presenting the license showing the description, quantity and value of the merchandise to be entered, withdrawn or otherwise dealt with. This notation should be so placed and so written that there will exist no possibility of confusing it with anything placed on the license at the time of its issuance. If the license in fact authorizes the entry, withdrawal or other transaction with regard to the merchandise the collector, or other authorized customs employee, shall verify the notation by signing or initialing it after first assuring himself that it accurately describes the merchandise it purports to represent. The license shall thereafter be returned to the person presenting it and the additional copy of the entry, withdrawal or other appropriate document shall be forwarded by the collector to the Foreign Assets Control.
(c)(1) Whenever the original of an appropriate certificate or origin as defined in § 515.536(d) is presented to a collector of customs in accordance with this section, an additional legible copy of the entry, withdrawal or other appropriate document with respect to the merchandise involved shall be filed with the collector of customs at the port where the transaction is to take place. Each copy of the entry, withdrawal, or other appropriate document, including the additional copy, shall bear plainly on its face the following statement: “This document is presented under the provisions of § 515.536 (c) of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations.” The original of the certificate of origin shall not be returned to the person presenting it. It shall be securely attached to the additional copy required by this subparagraph and shall be forwarded by the collector to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Department, Washington, DC 20220. Collectors may forward such documents weekly or more often if the volume warrants.
(2) If the original of an appropriate certificate of origin is properly presented to a collector of customs with respect to a transaction which is the first of a series of transactions which may be allowed in connection therewith under paragraph (a)(6)(iv) of this section (as, for example, where merchandise has been entered in a bonded warehouse and an appropriate certificate of origin is presented which relates to all of the merchandise entered therein but the importer desires to withdraw only part of the merchandise in the first transaction), the collector shall so note on the original of the appropriate certificate of origin and return it to the importer. In addition, the collector shall endorse his pertinent records so as to record what merchandise is covered by the appropriate certificate of origin presented. The collector may thereafter allow subsequent authorized transactions on presentation of the certificate of origin. The collector shall, with respect to each such transaction, demand an additional copy of each withdrawal or other appropriate document, which copy shall be promptly forwarded by the collector to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury Department, Washington, DC 20220, with an endorsement thereon reading:
This document has been accepted pursuant to § 515.808(c) (2) of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. Appropriate certificate of origin No._______from (country).
When the final transaction has been effected under the certificate of origin, the original shall be taken up and attached to the entry and forwarded as in this paragraph.
(d) Whenever a person shall present an entry, withdrawal or other appropriate document affected by this section and shall assert that no specific Foreign Assets Control license or appropriate certificate of origin as defined in § 515.536 (d) is required in connection therewith, the collector of customs shall withhold action thereon and shall advise such person to communicate directly with the Office of Foreign Assets Control to request that instructions be issued to the collector to authorize him to take action with regard thereto.
[30 FR 15371, Dec. 14, 1965, as amended at 57 FR 1388, Jan. 14, 1992. Redesignated at 62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]

Subpart I—Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 515.901
Paperwork Reduction Act notice.
Collection of information on TDF 90-22.39, “Declaration, Travel to Cuba,” has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507(j)) and assigned control number 1505-0118. For approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of information collections relating to recordkeeping and reporting requirements, to licensing procedures (including those pursuant to statements of licensing policy), and to other procedures, see § 501.901 of this chapter. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by OMB.
[62 FR 45106, Aug. 25, 1997]