Featured FAQs
401. OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule states that the property and interests in property of entities directly or indirectly owned 50 percent or more in the aggregate by one or more blocked persons are considered blocked. How does OFAC interpret indirect ownership as it relates to certain complex ownership structures?
"Indirectly," as used in OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule, refers to one or more blocked persons' ownership of shares of an entity through another entity or entities that are 50 percent or more owned in the aggregate by the blocked person(s). OFAC urges persons consider ... Read more
5. How do I determine if I have a valid OFAC match?
If you are calling about a wire transfer or other "live" transaction:Step 1. Is the "hit" or "match" against OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, one of its other sanctions lists, or targeted countries, or is it "hitting" for some other reason (i. ... Read more
Recently Added FAQs
1263. Does General License (GL) 60 require that payments to the Government of Venezuela be made into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds Account (FGDF)?
No. GL 60 authorizes all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, which includes payment of taxes, tolls, and fees to the Government of Venezuela connected with such relief efforts. Payments rela ... Read more
1262. On July 13, 2026, the Department of State designated the Cuban entities Grupo Empresarial del Comercio Exterior (GECOMEX) and Grupo Empresarial de Transporte Marítimo Portuario (GEMAR) pursuant to E.O. 14404. Are non-U.S. persons, including foreign financial institutions (FFIs), exposed to sanctions risk for winding down transactions with GECOMEX or GEMAR?
The U.S. government does not intend to target non-U.S. persons, including FFIs, pursuant to E.O. 14404 for engaging in transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions involving GECOMEX, GEMAR, or any entity in which either GECOM ... Read more