What are you allowed to ship to Cuba?

One exception to the U.S.-Cuba embargo is "family aid," goods shipped to individuals in Cuba by relatives in America. But there are exceptions, as Mimi Whitefield reports:  Flat-screen TVs, Froot Loops cereal, washing machines, laptops, bedroom sets. No problem. But air conditioners, a power lawn mower, clothes dryers, even an above-ground swimming pool are rejects. ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

One exception to the U.S.-Cuba embargo is "family aid," goods shipped to individuals in Cuba by relatives in America. But there are exceptions, as Mimi Whitefield reports

One exception to the U.S.-Cuba embargo is "family aid," goods shipped to individuals in Cuba by relatives in America. But there are exceptions, as Mimi Whitefield reports

Flat-screen TVs, Froot Loops cereal, washing machines, laptops, bedroom sets. No problem.

But air conditioners, a power lawn mower, clothes dryers, even an above-ground swimming pool are rejects. The Cuban government has nixed these items since International Port Corp. began a humanitarian shipping service to the island from its Miami River terminal in July.[…]

The government will accept fans but not air conditioning units. Clothes washers are fine but not energy-gobbling dryers, said Sanchez. While bicycles are popular items to ship, the Cubans recently said no to a motorcycle chassis and a car transmission.

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/08/14/162211/plasma-tvs-yes-air-conditioners.html#storylink=cpy

Overall, the restrictions seemed aimed at keeping energy-guzzling appliances from overtaxing Cuba’s strained power grid. 

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/08/14/162211/plasma-tvs-yes-air-conditioners.html#storylink=cpy

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

Tag: Cuba

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.