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Transport and spare parts

· Helfen statt Blockieren editorial team

Aviation and shipping are globally networked: leasing, spare parts, insurance and ports. Blocking one of these building blocks grounds whole fleets or makes every transport more expensive.

What is blocked

  • Cuba: A ship that has traded in a Cuban port may not enter a US port to load or unload for 180 days, unless authorised1.
  • Russia: Since 25 February 2022 the EU has banned exports of aircraft, parts and equipment to Russia2.
  • Cuba: Since October 2019 aircraft leases to Cuban state airlines have faced a presumption of denial3.

What is expressly allowed

  • US: Authorisations are possible case by case; waivers for Cuba trade and travel are set out in 31 CFR 515.5501.
  • UN: Resolution 2664 of 9 December 2022 makes clear that funds and services for humanitarian aid and basic human needs are not covered by UN asset freezes. 14 states voted in favour, India abstained4.

What still does not arrive

  • Cuba: In October 2019 Cubana cancelled seven international and two domestic routes after lessors from third countries terminated two contracts; according to the airline about 40,000 passengers were affected5.

Documented examples

  • RussiaIn 2022 Aeroflot began stripping aircraft for parts to keep others airworthy; at least 50 of 360 aircraft had not flown since July 20226.
  • CubaDouhan lists the 180-day rule for ships among the measures; deliveries to Cuba reportedly cost 40 to 300 percent more, according to information presented to her7.

Counterpoints: why states impose sanctions

  • Russia: The export ban is part of the EU’s measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine2.
  • Cuba: The US government justifies its measures with the policies of the Cuban government. Executive Order 14380 of 29 January 2026 cites support for hostile states and groups and the human rights record8.

Figures marked “according to information given to” are not the cited body’s own measurements but information presented to it.

This page is information, not legal advice. It reports what authorities, courts, governments and organisations decide and say; the views of the side imposing measures and of the side affected stand side by side. “Helfen statt Blockieren” is non-partisan. Please report errors to info@aciel-martinez-poll.com.

Sources

  1. 31 CFR § 515.207, text at Cornell LII, “Entry of vessels engaged in trade with Cuba”, 3 Nov 2026. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/31/515.207
  2. Council of the EU, Regulation (EU) 2022/328 of 25.2.2022 amending Regulation (EU) Nr. 833/2014 (incl. export ban on aircraft and parts, Art. 3c), OJ L 49 of 25.2.2022, S. 1, 25 Feb 2022. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/328/oj
  3. Kelley Drye, “BIS tightens Cuba restrictions, lowers de minimis threshold to 10 percent (Federal Register Doc. 2019-22876)”, 21 Oct 2019. https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/trade-and-manufacturing-monitor/bis-tightens-cuba-restrictions-lowers-de-minimis-threshold-to-10-percent
  4. UN Security Council, press release SC/15134 (9214. meeting), Report on the adoption of Resolution 2664 (2022), 9 Dec 2022. https://press.un.org/en/node/311942
  5. OnCuba News, “Cubana de Aviación cancels flights due to intensification of blockade”, 26 Oct 2019. https://oncubanews.com/en/cuba-usa/cubana-de-aviacion-cancels-flights-due-to-intensification-of-blockade/
  6. The Moscow Times (after Reuters), Report on Aeroflot stripping aircraft for parts, 9 Aug 2022. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/08/09/sanctions-hit-russia-starts-stripping-aircraft-for-parts-reuters-a78535
  7. OHCHR, Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan, Preliminary findings of the visit to Cuba, end of mission statement, 11 to 21 November 2025, 21 Nov 2025. Many figures there are marked “reportedly”, i.e. based on information presented to her. https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2133521/20251121-eom-stm-cuba-sr-negative-impact-unilateral-en.pdf
  8. White House, Federal Register 91 FR 5085, “Executive Order 14380: Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba (unterzeichnet 29.1.2026)”, 3 Feb 2026. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-03/html/2026-02250.htm

All online sources accessed on 3 November 2026.

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