New rules are in effect, starting today, for U.S. residents visiting family in and making cash remittances to Cuba, with potential penalties for violators ranging from a warning to a fine of up to $10,000, according to the U.S. Treasury Department:

• Cash remittances: Up to $300 per quarter may be sent but only to immediate family members: children, spouses, siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren. No money may be sent to cousins, aunts or uncles or to any government or Communist Party officials.

• Visits: Travelers will be limited to 44 pounds in luggage and $300 in cash (down from $3,000). They may spend only $50 a day (down from $167) while in Cuba and may stay no longer than 14 days limit.

• Purchases: Travelers may not bring back any merchandise acquired in Cuba, except for books and other informational material. (The old rules had allowed $100 in purchases for personal use.)

• Educational visits: Such visits must last at least 10 weeks, but college employees and graduate students doing independent research may stay for shorter periods. High school students, meanwhile, are no longer allowed to study in Cuba.

• 'Fully hosted' travel: This is now barred. This category had allowed U.S. citizens to visit if they could prove that they did not spend any money while in Cuba.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS