Effective June 5, the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended its regulations requiring separate authorization from the Department of Commerce for U.S. vessels traveling to Cuba. Though the U.S. Coast Guard process for Applications to Enter Cuban Territorial Seas remains unchanged, new authorizations will be very limited.
The existing process for vessel travel to Cuba remains the same: a U.S. vessel requires a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard to enter Cuban territorial waters under 33 CFR. §107. Applications for Permits to Enter Cuban Territorial Seas (Form CG-3300) must be submitted with complete information before a permit is granted. New restrictions take effect on June 5th. A detailed explanation of these changes can be found in an OFAC FAQ page located at: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf
For a complete description of what the OFAC general license authorizes and the restrictions that apply, see 31 CFR §515.572.
