OFAC General FAQs
- FAQs Home
- Basic Information on OFAC
- FAQs Related to Entities Owned by Persons Whose Property and Interests in Property are Blocked (50% Rule)
- Background on OFAC’s FAQs
Introduction to OFAC guide
- Introduction to OFAC (1 June 2026)
Introduction to OFAC video series & OFAC Basics video series
- Introduction to OFAC Episode 1: The Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Introduction to OFAC Episode 2: Blocking and Non-Blocking Sanctions
- OFAC Basics Episode 1: Sanctions List Search
- OFAC Basics Episode 2: My Funds are Blocked, Now What?
- OFAC Basics Episode 3: Applying for a License to Release Blocked Funds
- OFAC Basics Episode 4: Requesting OFAC Guidance
OFAC & BIS guidance on compliance, enforcement, and penalties
- Framework for OFAC Compliance Commitments
- OFAC Reporting System and Forms
- OFAC Civil Penalties and Enforcement Information
- OFAC Sanctions and Enforcement Guidelines
- Memoranda of Understanding Between OFAC and Bank Regulators
- Memorandum of Understanding Between OFAC and the State of Delaware Department of Justice
- OFAC Office of Compliance and Enforcement Data Delivery Standards Guidance: Preferred Practices for Productions to OFAC
- Advisory and Guidance on Potential Sanctions Risks Arising from Dealings in High-Value Artwork
- Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Virtual Currency Industry
- Sanctions Compliance Guidance for Instant Payment Systems
- OFAC FAQs: Compliance for Internet, Web-Based Activities, and Personal Communications
- OFAC FAQs: Compliance for the Insurance Industry
- OFAC FAQs: Assessing OFAC Name Matches
- OFAC FAQs: Starting an OFAC Compliance Programme
- OFAC FAQs: Additional Questions from Financial Institutions
- OFAC FAQs: Blocking and Rejecting Transactions
- OFAC FAQS: Filing Reports with OFAC
- BIS Compliance Guidelines: how to develop an export management and compliance programme
- Department of Commerce, Department of the Treasury, and Department of Justice Tri-Seal Compliance Note: Obligations of foreign-based persons to comply with U.S. sanctions and export control laws
- BIS Guidance to Financial Institutions on Best Practices for Compliance with the Export Administration Regulations
- OFAC Guidance on Extension of Statute of Limitations for certain sanctions violations
- OFAC Guidance on Filing the 2026 Annual Report of Blocked Property
OFAC & BIS guidance on licensing
- OFAC FAQs: all OFAC licenses FAQs
- OFAC FAQs: how do I apply for a license to get my money unblocked
- OFAC License Application Page
- OFAC Quick-Reference Guides:
- Filing a petition for removal from an OFAC list
- BIS licensing guidance: general page
- BIS licensing guidance: how to submit an export license application
- BIS Control List Categories: Export Control Classification Numbers
- BIS inquiry submission page
OFAC guidance on de-listing
- OFAC FAQs: How can a person seek to be removed from an OFAC sanctions list?
- OFAC SDN removal page
- OFAC FAQs: Other related FAQs
- Export Administration Regulations, Section 744.16(e): procedure for delisting
Department of Justice guidance
- Policy on the voluntary self-disclosure of sanctions and export control breaches by companies
- DOJ FCPA Corporate Enforcement Policy
- DOJ National Security Division Export Control and Sanctions Enforcement Policy
- DOJ Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs Guidance
OFAC Interpretive Guidance & submissions guidance
- Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of US Sanctions Laws
- Guidance on Certain Publishing Activities
- Guidance to National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) on domestic and cross-border ACH transactions
- Projects with Target Government Ownership
- Guidance: Production Submission Standards
US Treasury Reports
- 2026 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment
- 2026 National Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment
- 2026 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment
- Report to Congress from the Secretary of the Treasury on Innovative Technologies to Counter Illicit Finance Involving Digital Assets
FinCEN Guidance
- FinCEN Alert on Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian Sanctions Evasion Attempts (March 7, 2022)
- FinCEN Alert on Real Estate, Luxury Goods, and Other High Value Assets Involving Russian Elites, Oligarchs, and their Family Members (March 16, 2022)
- First FinCEN-BIS Joint Alert Urging Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian and Belarusian Export Control Evasion Attempts (June 28, 2022)
- Financial Trend Analysis on Financial Activity by Russian Oligarchs (December 22, 2022)
- FinCEN Alert on Potential U.S. Commercial Real Estate Investments by Sanctioned Russian Elites, Oligarchs, and Their Proxies (January 25, 2023)
- FinCEN-BIS Supplemental Joint Alert Urging Continued Vigilance for Potential Russian Export Control Evasion Attempts (May 19, 2023)
- Financial Trend Analysis on Suspected Evasion of Russian Export Controls (September 8, 2023)
- FinCEN and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Notice Announcing New Reporting Key Term and Highlight Red Flags Relating to Global Evasion of U.S. Export Controls (November 6, 2023)
- FinCEN Supplemental Advisory on the Procurement of Precursor Chemicals and Manufacturing Equipment Used for the Synthesis of Illicit Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids (June 20, 2024)
- FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Reporting Outreach and Education Toolkit (September, 2024)
- FinCEN Alert to Financial Institutions to Counter Financing of Hizballah and its Terrorist Activities (October 23, 2024)
- FinCEN Advisory on the Use of Chinese Money Laundering Networks by Mexico-Based Transnational Criminal Organizations to Launder Illicit Proceeds (August 28, 2025)
- Financial Trend Analysis on Chinese Money Laundering Networks 2020-2024 Threat Pattern & Trend Information (August, 2025)
Congressional Research Service Reports
- US Export Controls and China: Advanced Semiconductors (September 19, 2025)
- The Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) List (September 11, 2025)
- US Sanctions: Overview for the 119th Congress (April 2025)
- US Sanctions: Overview for the 118th Congress (April 2023)
- Russia’s War on Ukraine: Financial and Trade Sanctions (February 2023)
- Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Overview of US Sanctions and Other Responses (December 2022)
- S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress (December 2022)
- The Economic Impact of Russia Sanctions (December 2022)
- Sanctions Legislation and the Bill of Attainder Clause (October 2022)
- Enforcement of Economic Sanctions: An Overview (March 2022)
- Iran’s Nuclear Program and U.N. Sanctions Reimposition (September 2022)
- North Korea: Legislative Basis for U.S. Economic Sanctions (June 2022)
- Russia Sanctions and Cryptocurrencies: Policy Issues (May 2022)
- Russian Sanctions and Cryptocurrency (May 2022)
- Enforcement of Economic Sanctions: An Overview (March 2022)
- Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: New Financial and Trade Sanctions (March 2022)
- Iran Sanctions (February 2022)
- S. Sanctions on Russia (January 2022)
- The U.S. Export Control System and the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (June 2021)
- Economic Sanctions: Overview for the 117th Congress (January 2021)
EU & US Sanctions and Export Controls
- EU Parliament Briefing: Russia’s war on Ukraine: US Sanctions
Regime specific guidance
Afghanistan Sanctions
- Homepage
- Fact Sheet: Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan and Support for the Afghan People
Balkans Sanctions
Belarus Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- Belarus Sanctions OFAC FAQ Topic Page
- Guidance on the Blocking of Property of Certain Persons Undermining the Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus by Executive Order 13405
Burma/Myanmar Sanctions
- Homepage
- Burma Business Advisory
- Burma-Related Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- BIS FAQs on the Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in Burma, Cambodia, China, Russia and Venezuela
Central African Republic Sanctions
Chinese Military Companies Sanctions
- Homepage
- Chinese Military Companies Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- BIS FAQs on the Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in Burma, Cambodia, China, Russia and Venezuela
Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)
- Homepage
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 105
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 223(a)
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 223(b) and (c)
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 226
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 228
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 233
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAATSA Section 235
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ukraine-/Russia-related Directive 4
- What are the sanctions implications of the Treasury Department report on oligarchs and parastatal entities of the Russian Federation?
- What is the purpose of the Executive Order (E.O.) of September 20, 2018, “Authorizing the Implementation of Certain Sanctions Set Forth in the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act”?
- Delegation of provisions in Title I of CAATSA
- Delegation of provisions in Title II and Title III of CAATSA
- Section 231 of CAATSA
- CAATSA Section 225 Public Guidance
- CAATSA Section 232 Public Guidance
Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- List of Sanctions Pursuant to the Kingpin Act
- List of Sanctions Pursuant to Executive Order 12978
- OFAC Alert – Timeshare Fraud
- Statement of Licensing Policy Regarding Transactions of Three Colombian Entities Designated Pursuant to E.O. 12978?
- Statement of Licensing Policy Regarding Transactions of Six Colombian Entities Designated Pursuant to E.O. 12978?
- Statement of Licensing Policy Regarding Transactions of Two Colombian Entities Designated Pursuant to E.O. 12978?
- Impact Report on Economic Sanctions Against Colombian Drug Cartels
Counter Terrorism Sanctions
- Homepage
- Counter Terrorism Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- FAQs Regarding Prohibitions on Dealings with the Palestinian Authority
- Fact Sheet: Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan and Support for the Afghan People
- Guidelines on Transactions with the Palestinian Authority
- Terrorist Assets Report 2020
- Terrorist Assets Report 2019
- Terrorist Assets Report 2018
Cuba Sanctions
- Homepage
- FAQs on Changes to the Cuba Sanctions Program as of 26 October 2020
- Archive of Cuba-related FAQs
- Guidance Regarding Travel Between the United States And Cuba
- Prepaid Tourist Packages are Prohibited
- Notice Regarding the Transfer of Claims against Cuba Certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
- Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of U.S. Sanctions Laws
- Guidance on Certain Publishing Activities
- OFAC Factsheet on Provision of Humanitarian Assistance and Trade to Combat COVID-19
- August 2021 Factsheet: Supporting the Cuban People’s Right to Seek, Receive, and Impart Information through Safe and Secure Access to the Internet
- October 2020 Factsheet: Treasury Prohibits Cuban Military from Processing Remittance-Related Transactions
- September 2020 Factsheet: Treasury Amends Regulations to Restrict Revenue Sources to the Cuban Regime
Cyber Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Virtual Currency Industry
- Advisory on Potential Sanctions Risks for Facilitating Ransomware Payments
- North Korea Cyber Threat Advisory
- Cyber-related Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- FAQs Related to Executive Order 13694, “Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities”
- FinCEN Advisory on Ransomware and the Use of the Financial System to Facilitate Ransom Payments
Democratic Republic of the Congo-Related Sanctions
Ethiopia Sanctions
Foreign Interference in a United States Election Sanctions
Global Magnitsky Sanctions (Human Rights and Corruption)
Hong Kong Sanctions
- Homepage
- Hong Kong Business Advisory
- Hong Kong-Related Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- Report Pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act(February 2022)
- Report Pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act(May 2021)
- Report Pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act(December 2020)
Hostages and Wrongfully Detained U.S. Nationals Sanctions
International Criminal Court Sanctions
Iran Sanctions
- Homepage
- Iran Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices
- Non-English Translations of this Guidance
- Deceptive Practices by Iran with respect to the Civil Aviation Industry
- Financial Channels to Facilitate Humanitarian Trade with Iran and Related Due Diligence and Reporting Expectations
- Iran-related Shipping Advisory
- Notice on the Re-imposition of the Sanctions on Iran that had Been Lifted or Waived Under the JCPOA?
- List of Medical Devices Requiring Specific Authorization
- Guidance on the Sale of Food, Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, and Medical Devices by Non-U.S. Persons to Iran
- Industry Guidance on Shah Deniz Consortium
- Clarifying Guidance on Humanitarian Assistance and Related Exports to the Iranian People
- Interpretive Guidance and Statement of Licensing Policy on Internet Freedom in Iran
- Treasury Department Reaffirms Commitment to Fostering Internet Freedom and Supporting the Iranian People
- Guidance on the Donations of Food and Medicine to Iran and the Non-Specified Areas of Sudan
- Guidance on Sponsorship of Conference by the Government of Iran or Iranian persons
- Guidance on Transshipments to Iran
- Are U-Turn payments for Iran still permitted
- “CISADA: “The New U.S. Sanctions on Iran”
- Interpretive Guidance And Statement of Licensing Policy on Internet Freedom in Iran
- Substantive Enhancement of Information (Iran)
- Guidance on Internet Connectivity (Iran)
- Exports/Aircraft Safety (Iran)
- Equipment to manufacture goods which may be sold to Iran
- Internet Access to Informational Materials (Iran)
- Export of Services – Surveys & Interviews (Iran)
- Iran: Travel Exemption
- Posting of Information from Iran on Website
- Statement of Licensing Policy related to the support of democracy and human rights in Iran and academic and cultural exchange programs
- Statement Of Licensing Procedure on support of human rights-, humanitarian-, and democracy related activities with respect to Iran?
- Congressional Research Service: Iran Sanctions (February 2022)
- Advisory for Shipping and Maritime Stakeholders on Detecting and Mitigating Iranian Oil Sanctions Evasion (April 2025)
- FinCEN Advisory on the Iranian Regime’s Illicit Oil Smuggling Activities, Shadow Banking Networks, and Weapons Procurement Efforts (June 2025)
Iraq Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- Oil Proceeds Receipts Account
- Debt Trading
- Protection and Transfer of Intellectual Property Rights
Lebanon Sanctions
Libya Sanctions
- Homepage
- Statement of Licensing Policy – Statement of Licensing Policy Establishing A Favourable Licensing Regime Through Which U.S. Persons Can Request From OFAC Specific Authorization To Trade In Hydrocarbon Fuel
Magnitsky Sanctions
Mali Sanctions
Nicaragua Sanctions
Non-Proliferation Sanctions
North Korea / DPRK Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- North Korea Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- Factsheet: Guidance on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Information Technology Workers
- Advisory: Guidance on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Information Technology Workers
- North Korea Ballistic Missile Procurement Advisory
- Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices
- Guidance on the North Korean Cyber Threat?
- Updated Guidance on Addressing North Korea’s Illicit Shipping Practices
- Risks for Businesses with Supply Chain Links to North Korea
- Sanctions Risks Related to North Korea’s Shipping Practices
- Examples of deceptive North Korean shipping practices
- Congressional Research Service: North Korea: Legislative Basis for U.S. Economic Sanctions (June 2022)
- Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team: the DPRK’s Violation and Evasion of UN Sanctions through Cyber and Information Technology Worker Activities (October 22, 2025)
- Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team: Unlawful Military Cooperation including Arms Transfers between North Korea and Russia (May 29, 2025)
Rough Diamond Trade Controls
Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions
- Homepage
- Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- Cracking Down on Third-Party Intermediaries Used to Evade Russia-Related Sanctions and Export Controls
- OFAC-BIS Alert: Impact of Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia’s Military-Industrial Complex
- Fact Sheet: Russia Sanctions and Agricultural Trade
- Non-English Translations of the July 2022 FACT SHEET: Russia Sanctions and Agricultural Trade
- Fact Sheet: Preserving Agricultural Trade, Access to Communication, and Other Support to Those Impacted by Russia’s War Against Ukraine
- Possible Evasion of the Russian Oil Price Cap Alert
- OFAC Guidance on Implementation of the Price Cap Policy for Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin
- OFAC Preliminary Guidance on Implementation of the Price Cap Policy for Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin
- Price Cap on Crude Oil of Russian Federation Origin
- FinCEN Alert: FinCEN Advises Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian Sanctions Evasion Attempts
- FinCEN Alert on Real Estate, Luxury Goods, and Other High Value Assets Involving Russian Elites, Oligarchs, and their Family Members
- FinCEN Alert: FinCEN and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Urge Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian and Belarusian Export Control Evasion Attempts
- FinCEN Alert on Potential U.S. Commercial Real Estate Investments by Sanctioned Russian Elites, Oligarchs, and Their Proxies
- FinCEN Advisory on Kleptocracy and Foreign Public Corruption
- BIS FAQs on the Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in Burma, Cambodia, China, Russia and Venezuela
- Congressional Research Service: Sanctions on Russia (January 2022)
- Congressional Research Service: Russia Sanctions and Cryptocurrencies: Policy Issues (May 2022)
- Congressional Research Service: The Economic Impact of Russia Sanctions (December 2022)
- Congressional Research Service: Russia’s War on Ukraine: Financial and Trade Sanctions (February 2023)
- OFAC Russia-related Alert: Sanctions Risk for Foreign Financial Institutions that Join Russian Financial Messaging System, System for Transfer of Financial Messages (November 2024)
Somalia Sanctions
Sudan and Darfur Sanctions
- Homepage
- Advisory: Risks and Considerations for U.S. Businesses Operating in Sudan
- Sudan Business Risk Advisory Update
- FAQs Regarding NGO Registration Numbers for Activities in Sudan
- Interpretive Guidance – Prohibitions Imposed by Executive Order 13412; Transshipments of Goods and Financial Transactions Conducted through Certain Areas of Sudan
South Sudan Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- FAQ on Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to South Sudan
Syria Sanctions
-
- Syria Sanctions – Inactive and Archived
- FAQs on EO. 13608
- FAQs on Syria General License 25
- Overview of previous sanctions on Syria (2013)
- Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilisation Sanctions (PAARSS) FAQs
- Sanctions Risks Related to Petroleum Shipments involving Iran and Syria (September 2024)
- Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Services (August 2023)
- Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices (May 2020)
- Updated Guidance on Sanctions Risks Related to Shipping Petroleum to Syria (March 2019)
- Sanctions Risks Related to Shipping Petroleum to Syria (November 2018)
- Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of US Sanctions Laws (January 2017)
- Guidance on Certain Publishing Activities (October 2016)
Transnational Criminal Organisations
Ukraine-/Russia Sanctions
- Homepage
- Overview of Sanctions
- Ukraine-/Russia-related Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- Updated Guidance for Foreign Financial Institutions on OFAC Sanctions Authorities Targeting Support to Russia’s Military-Industrial Base (June 2024)
- Factsheet: Russia Sanctions and Agricultural Trade (July 2022)
- Factsheet: Preserving Agricultural Trade, Access to Communication, and Other Support to Those Impacted by Russia’s War Against Ukraine (April 2022)
- Advisory Regarding the Obfuscation of Critical Information in Financial and Trade Transactions Involving the Crimea Region of Ukraine (July 2015)
- BIS FAQs on the Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in Burma, Cambodia, China, Russia and Venezuela
- Congressional Research Service: S. Sanctions on Russia (January 2022)
- Congressional Research Service: Russia Sanctions and Cryptocurrencies: Policy Issues (May 2022)
- Congressional Research Service: The Economic Impact of Russia Sanctions (December 2022)
- Congressional Research Service: Russia’s War on Ukraine: Financial and Trade Sanctions (February 2023)
Venezuela Sanctions
- Homepage
- Venezuela Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- Guidance Related to the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance and Support to the Venezuelan People
- BIS FAQs on the Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in Burma, Cambodia, China, Russia and Venezuela
- Congressional Research Service: Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions (November 2022)
Yemen Sanctions