No. In contrast to sanctions programs administered and enforced by OFAC with regard to North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and the Crimea and so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine, there are no comprehensive sanctions on Afghanistan. Therefore, there are no OFAC-administered sanctions that prohibit the export or reexport of goods or services to Afghanistan, moving or sending money into and out of Afghanistan, or activities in Afghanistan, provided that such transactions or activities do not involve sanctioned individuals, entities, or property in which sanctioned individuals and entities have an interest.
Certain Afghanistan-related individuals and entities are included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List), most notably the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. The Taliban are designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224. The Haqqani Network is designated as an SDGT under E.O. 13224 and a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Transactions or activities by U.S. persons that involve these entities are generally prohibited.
In addition, OFAC has issued GLs 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 594 (GTSR), the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 597 (FTOSR), and E.O. 13224, as amended. For a consolidated list of all relevant General Licenses and FAQs, please see OFAC’s humanitarian Fact Sheet, “Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan and Support for the Afghan People,” (this content was updated on April 13, 2022) that provides an overview of the relevant authorizations and guidance related to U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network.
Date Updated: February 25, 2022