Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Haiti

This executive order imposes comprehensive trade sanctions against Haiti, effective immediately on May 21, 1994, prohibiting the import of Haitian goods into the United States, banning U.S. exports to Haiti (with limited humanitarian exceptions for food, medicine, and informational materials), and blocking dealings by U.S. persons in Haitian exports. The sanctions implement UN Security Council Resolution 917 and expand upon prior emergency measures targeting Haiti's de facto military regime.

Federal Register 59 FR 26925

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Impact dates

May 21, 1994
Order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EDT; import and export prohibitions become active

Key directives

Prohibit importation of Haitian goods into U.S. (effective May 21, 1994, 11:59 p.m. EDT)
Prohibit U.S. exports of goods to Haiti with exceptions for informational materials, medicines/medical supplies (Treasury-authorized), and specified food items (rice, beans, sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil, corn, corn flour, milk, edible tallow)
Prohibit U.S. person dealings in Haitian exports using U.S.-registered vessels or aircraft
Prohibit evasion or avoidance of any sanctions
Secretary of Treasury authorized to promulgate rules and regulations in consultation with Secretary of State
All agencies directed to take appropriate measures including suspension/termination of existing licenses
Revoke inconsistent provisions of EO 12779 Section 2(c) and EO 12853 Section 4 for post-effective-date actions

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Import ban on Haitian goods takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EDT May 21, 1994
Export ban on U.S. goods to Haiti takes effect
Prior inconsistent authorizations under EO 12779 and EO 12853 revoked for post-effective-date actions

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Treasury to issue regulations and licenses implementing exemptions for medicines, medical supplies, and specified food items
Agencies to suspend or terminate existing licenses inconsistent with new prohibitions

Long term

Ongoing sanctions enforcement and compliance monitoring
Potential duration tied to political resolution in Haiti and UN Security Council action

Risks & tensions

Humanitarian tension: broad trade embargo risks exacerbating poverty and food insecurity for Haitian civilians despite limited food/medicine carveouts
Implementation uncertainty: Treasury Secretary has discretionary authority over medicines/medical supplies authorization—timing and scope not specified in text
Economic spillover: U.S. businesses with existing contracts or supply chains involving Haiti face immediate disruption without compensation mechanism
Enforcement complexity: 'promotes or is intended to promote' language creates subjective liability for U.S. persons with indirect commercial ties to Haitian trade
Legal continuity risk: revocation of prior EO provisions applies only prospectively, creating potential litigation over pre-May 21 violations