US Coast Guard removes entry conditions on vessels arriving from Cuba

by Mike Ahart – Waterway Guide News Editor on 31 Mar 2016 The U.S. Coast Guard announced the removal of Conditions of Entry on vessels arriving from Cuba, Thursday (Mar. 17, 2016).

Although U.S. vessels still need to apply for and obtain a U.S. Coast Guard Permit to Enter Cuban Territorial Seas (CG-3300), the Coast Guard has removed other requirements for vessels returning from Cuba. From a USCG announcement:

Following a comprehensive assessment, the United States Coast Guard has determined that Cuba meets the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code requirements established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has effective security measures in their ports. Vessels arriving to the U.S. are no longer required to employ additional security measures while in Cuban ports.

Conditions of Entry related to Cuban ports were originally imposed in 2008.

All U.S. immigration policies remain unchanged and the Office of Foreign Assets Control travel restrictions remain in effect. Furthermore, the governing regulations titled “Unauthorized Entry to Cuba” contained in 33 CFR 107.200 also remain in effect.

See the full notice on the removal of these conditions of entry published in the Federal Register.