Cuban imports still illegal

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba has caused many to question the rules and regulations concerning the import of Cuban-made goods into the U.S.

The Dover AFB-based officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are accountable for assuring that importation rules are properly followed here. 

"We're responsible for the passengers, crew members and cargo that are flying in internationally," said Ivan Lebron, supervisory CBP officer. "We are the last line of defense." 

When dealing with prohibited and restricted items, the CBP has been entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These agencies require that unsafe items are not allowed to enter the U.S.

Concerning policies toward Cuba, the American embargo on Cuban goods is still in effect. President Barrack Obama's Dec. 17, 2014 announcement has not changed these policies. But changes to this policy are expected in the foreseeable future. The Department of Commerce is amending its rules which will authorize the export of certain items to the Cuban private sector and to improve the free flow of information to, from and among the Cuban people.

The CBP would like to reemphasize that Cuban imports are still illegal. As of now, the importation of popular items such as Cuban-origin cigars and rum are strictly prohibited.

In addition to illegal imports from Cuba, there are also other international goods that are illegal to bring into the U.S. Examples include absinth from Germany and Spain, meat products, biologicals (bacterial cultures, culture medium, excretions, fungi, arthropods, mollusks, tissues of livestock, birds, plants and viruses), cultural artifacts and cultural property, drug paraphernalia, firearms, certain food products, fruits and vegetables, and countless other items. It should be noted that many of these items are legal to bring into the country with proper paperwork, licenses, permits and/or duty payments, many of which have to be filed in advance.

Lebron stated that he has seen all kinds of odd things people have tried to bring into the country, including quarter sections of cows, fertilized peaking duck eggs, Cuban cigars and live ammunition.


The Dover AFB CBP office currently is manned by three CBP officers and three agriculture specialists.

If you have any further questions or concerns, additional information can be found at www.cbp.gov.