Frequently Asked Questions

993. What if a governing institution in Afghanistan is led by an individual who appears on the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons?

Generally speaking, when a designated individual has a leadership role in a governing institution, the governing institution itself is not considered blocked. Accordingly, engaging in a routine interaction with an agency in which a blocked individual is an official, but that does not involve the… Read more

994. For purposes of Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 20, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan,” what are luxury items and services?

For purposes of GL 20 , luxury items and services are those items and services that are not linked to activities that support basic human needs as defined with reference to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615 (2021), for instance: yachts, furs, designer clothing, and certain… Read more

995. Does Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 20 authorize financial transfers to governing institutions in Afghanistan, including the Central Bank of Afghanistan (Da Afghanistan Bank, or DAB), or state-owned or -controlled companies and enterprises in Afghanistan? Does Afghanistan-related GL 20 authorize receipt of payment from governing institutions in Afghanistan and state-owned or -controlled companies and enterprises in Afghanistan?

Yes. To the extent authorization is required, GL 20 authorizes financial transfers to or involving all governing institutions in Afghanistan — including but not limited to the DAB, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Energy and Water, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and… Read more

996. In light of the issuance of Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 20, are U.S. persons still required to abide by the narrower scope of Afghanistan-related GLs 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19?

To the extent authorization is required, Afghanistan-related GL 20 authorizes all transactions involving Afghanistan or governing institutions in Afghanistan prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 594 (GTSR) , the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations… Read more

997. Has the United States lifted sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network?

No. The United States has not lifted sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. The Taliban remains designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 . The Haqqani Network remains designated as an SDGT under E.O. 13224 and a Foreign Terrorist… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence