Obama administration lifts restrictions on importing Cuban cigars and rums into the US

USA. The Obama administration has lifted restrictions on travellers bringing Cuban cigars and rum into the US.

Under the new rules, all travellers into the US will be able to purchase unlimited quantities of Cuban rum and cigars in any country where they are sold – including duty free stores – so long as they are for personal consumption (and within normal statutory limits “on duty and tax exemptions”).

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Historic visit: US President Barack Obama with Cuba President Raúl Castro at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana in March
(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

US citizens had been restricted to returning with US$100 or less in Cuban cigars and rum since January 2015, but an outright ban had been in place over the previous five decades.

The Cuban goods must still be imported in hand baggage. US citizens cannot order cigars and rum online and have them shipped from overseas.

The change comes as part of a series of new amendments unveiled by the US departments of Commerce and Treasury that are intended to increase trade and travel with Cuba.

However, US citizens are still required to travel to Cuba under at least one of 12 approved travel reasons, such as for education, research or humanitarian purposes. Tourism-related travel is still prohibited.

The new regulations are part of President Obama’s strategy to normalise relations with Cuba, which was previously subject to sanctions and embargoes. By early 2017, ten US carriers will begin daily routes to Havana, with more airlines flying to nine other Cuban cities.

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