12. How much are the penalties for violating OFAC sanctions regulations?

Violations of OFAC-administered sanctions programs may result in civil and, in some cases, criminal penalties. Penalties for violations can be substantial. Civil penalties vary by sanctions program, and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalty Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, requires OFAC to adjust civil monetary penalty amounts annually. For current penalty amounts, see Appendix A to 31 CFR part 501—Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines. For a list of select OFAC enforcement actions, organized by year, please see the Civil Penalties and Enforcement Information page on OFAC’s website.

Date Updated: August 21, 2024.