Now travelers to Cuba don’t have to worry about smuggling home those Cuban cigars and rums. Obama decided that a new rule will go into effect on Monday that states it’s fine to bring both back in unlimited quantities as long as they are for personal consumption only.
However, this does not mean that Americans can order the products and have them shipped over. They must be purchased where they are sold.
The new rule is a part of some regulations from the U.S. departments of Commerce and Treasury that intend to increase both trade with and travel to the island. It will also now become easier for the U.S. to import Cuban-made pharmaceuticals.
With these changes the U.S. government is hoping to make Obama’s Cuba policy “irreversible.” Obama continues to speak on the relationship.
“Challenges remain — and very real differences between our governments persist on issues of democracy and human rights — but I believe that engagement is the best way to address those differences and make progress on behalf of our interests and values. The progress of the last two years, bolstered by today’s action, should remind the world of what’s possible when we look to the future together.”
