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Ready to Travel to Cuba? OFAC Simplifies Process

On April 18, 2013, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced its effort to streamline license processing procedures by accepting requests for licenses, license amendments, and interpretive guidance electronically. This will not only simplify the process for those that wish to travel to Cuba, this new electronic application program can also be used for applications to request the release of blocked funds and much more.

For those that are more “old school” – you still have the opportunity to submit applications by snail mail pursuant to 31 C.F.R. § 501.801.

The new electronic OFAC License Application Page will allow users to apply:

to travel to Cuba (for many, though not all, categories of travel to Cuba);
to export agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices to Sudan or Iran pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000;
for the release of a wire transfer blocked at a U.S. financial institution; and
for a license or interpretive guidance in all other circumstances (referred to generally as Transactional).

For those wishing to travel to Cuba in a jiffy, you must first consult an expert to review and assure you understand the Comprehensive Guidelines for License Applications to Engage in Travel-Related Transactions Involving Cuba. Once you know that you can apply to OFAC for your specific category of travel – the next step is reviewing the online application page.

Thus far, the electronic form may be used to apply for licenses to travel to Cuba in the following categories […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T09:53:07-04:00April 29, 2013|Best Practices, Export, International Travel, U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)|0 Comments

Don’t Let Your Currency be Seized When Traveling Internationally – TOP TIPS

The holidays are approaching… Do you intend to carry “monetary instruments” when traveling internationally? Read on, these TOP 5 Tips when carrying “monetary instruments” above $10,000 can save you a U.S. Customs Seizure Case.

Here are your top tips to assure you get it right, and you’re not screaming U.S. Customs Seized my Money, Oh No!

1. If you intend to carry over $10,000 in monetary instruments, including travelers checks and U.S. or foreign money, you MUST fill out the required form, FINCEN Form 105. Note, it is PERFECTLY acceptable to travel with currency, you JUST have to report it. Don’t be scared to do so.

2. Review U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “Currency Reporting” flyer. Make sure you memorize what “monetary instruments” consist of:

U.S. or foreign coins and currency;
Travelers checks (in any form);
Negotiable Instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders – in a transferable form);
Incomplete instruments (checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are signed with a payees name omitted;
Securities or stock in bearer form (in a transferable form)

3. Make sure you can explain proof of the legitimate source of the money.

4. Make sure you can explain proof of the legitimate intended use of the money.

5. Don’t divide currency for the purpose of evading reporting requirements.

Check out CBP’s recent seizures of currency and DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!:

October 12, 2012 – CBP seizes $11,000 in currency […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T09:15:58-04:00November 20, 2012|Currency Seizure, International Travel, Seizure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

Want to Reap Benefits From TSA When Traveling?

If you travel often, read on, you’ll be glad you did. When was the last time you had the ability to go through security WITH YOUR SHOES ON? Without taking out your laptop? WITH your jacket on? Without having to take out your liquids? If this appeals to you, which it definitely did for me, you’ll be pleased to know the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for TSA Pre-Check, an initiative that allows eligible passengers to qualify for expedited screening at participating airports.

U.S. citizens, who are members of a CBP Trusted Traveler program, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS are automatically eligible to participate and receive expedited screening benefits for domestic travel through the TSA Pre-Check initiative. TSA Pre-Check benefits include keeping shoes, light outerwear and belts on, keeping laptops in their cases, and leaving the 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in one’s carry-on during screening through TSA security checkpoints.
Members interested in participating in TSA Pre-Check through their Trusted Traveler program membership must enter their PASS ID into the ‘Known Traveler’ field when booking a flight reservation or saving their PASS ID to their airline’s frequent flyer profile. Members can find their PASS ID either online by accessing their GOES account, or on the back of their membership card in the top-left corner.

When traveling on one of the TSA Pre-Check participating airlines, CBP Trusted Traveler members should remember to provide the airline with their full name, date of birth, and […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T15:52:47-04:00October 8, 2012|International Travel, TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

Follow Me To Quickly Clear U.S. Customs as an International Passenger

Have you heard of the Global Entry program operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)? If you are one of the 100,000 U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are members, then congratulations to you. If you are one of the millions of international travelers who do not like to wait in long lines at U.S. Customs when arriving at an airport in the United States after a long intercontinental flight, I have got a deal for you.

Global Entry is a voluntary pilot program that streamlines the international arrivals process for pre-approved travelers through use of self-service kiosks located at 20 major U.S. airports. For good reason, CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin described the Global Entry program as “excellent” in a December 27, 2010 press release.

Applications to Global Entry first must be submitted online at www.globalentry.gov . It costs only $100 for a five year membership. I completed the on-line application in about 5 minutes, and was notified by email the next day that I was conditionally approved. Applicants must then complete an interview and fingerprint data collection in person at any of the 20 airport sites. I am scheduled to be interviewed on February 22, 2011 at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Once enrolled in the pilot program, Global Entry members may proceed directly to the kiosks in the international arrivals area upon arrival in the U.S. At the kiosk, members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2015-12-01T01:55:00-05:00February 12, 2011|International Travel|0 Comments

10 Symptoms To Diagnose You as a Road Warrior

I have traveled way too much recently, and thought I would help you out with some simple test questions to identify if you too are a road warrior who needs a break. If more than 5 of the below 10 test sample comments seem all too familiar, I recommend you slow down or go home. Enjoy this blog post, and let me know the results of the test questions for you.

1. TripAdvisor.com becomes your most commonly used Internet site.

2. You are daily checking your hotel points and frequent flier program balances.

3. It is no problem to pack clothes and various accessories into a 22 inch carry-on for a 5 night trip.

4. You travel with an iPod, Blackberry cellphone, Kindle e-reader, Bose acoustic noise-canceling headphones, and laptop, but still think you are forgetting to bring some electronic gadget.

5. You wander the Brookstone store at the airport, and realize you own a heck of a lot of the stuff on display.

6. You buy shoes, shirts, and get a haircut at the airport instead of in your own home town.

7. You know what city you are in, but not certain of the time zone, so you call the hotel front desk to find out.

8. You tell yourself that a five or six hour, cross-country trip from Miami to Los Angeles is no big deal compared to the international flight you recently took to Hong Kong.

9. You actually recognize many of the TSA screeners at the airport.

10. Someone asks you for your home phone number, and you have to […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2015-12-01T01:48:53-05:00October 12, 2010|International Travel|0 Comments

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