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1175. Are services related to application programming interfaces (APIs) that are incident to the exchange of communications over the internet authorized for exportation or reexportation to Cuba pursuant to OFAC regulations?

Answer

Yes.  Section 515.578(a)(1)(i) of the CACR authorizes the direct or indirect exportation or reexportation to Cuba, from the United States or by a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, of certain services. Among these are API-related services incident to the exchange of communications over the internet.  This authorization may include, for example, API services incident to, among other services described in 31 CFR § 515.578(a)(1)(i), web maps, social media platforms, collaboration platforms, video conferencing, and e-gaming and e-learning platforms.  Section 515.578(a)(ii) of the CACR authorizes the direct or indirect exportation or reexportation to Cuba, from the United States or by a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, of services to support the exchange of communications over the internet, such as software design, business consulting, information technology management services, and cloud-based services (including remote data storage, data transport service, content distribution networks, virtual machines, software-as-a-service, and infrastructure-as-a-service).

With respect to the exportation or reexportation of API software to Cuba, including the download of such software, 31 CFR § 515.533(a) authorizes all transactions ordinarily incident to the export to Cuba of items from the United States, or reexport to Cuba of items from a third country, if the export or reexport is licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce pursuant to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR parts 730 through 774).  For example, the export and reexport to Cuba of certain software is authorized under License Exception Consumer Communications Devices (CCD), 15 CFR § 740.19, and License Exception Support for the Cuban People (SCP), 15 CFR § 740.21.

Date Released
May 28, 2024