Frequently Asked Questions

229. Do I need a specific license from OFAC to send U.S.-origin food or medicine to Syria?

229 … No. You may send U.S.-origin food or medicine to Syria without a specific license from OFAC. The Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), which maintains jurisdiction over the export of most items to Syria, does not require a license for the export of U.S.-origin food… Read more

231. Can U.S. NGOs deliver humanitarian assistance directly to Syria?

231 … Yes. U.S. NGOs may provide services to Syria in support of humanitarian projects in Syria as authorized by § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations. NGOs carrying out activities funded by the U.S. government, as described in § 542.522, or international organizations, as described in §… Read more

227. May I continue to send money to family or friends in Syria?

227 … Yes. Pursuant to 31 CFR § 542.512 , U.S. persons may continue to send noncommercial, personal remittances to friends or family in Syria, provided the transfer is not by, to, or through the Government of Syria or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked. Syria… Read more

205. I want to support non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that help the Syrian people. How can I do this while staying in compliance with sanctions?

205 … U.S. persons may donate funds to and raise funds on behalf of U.S. and third-country NGOs that engage in authorized activities in Syria (please see § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations for the full list of authorized activities). U.S. persons can also donate humanitarian goods like… Read more

232. As a U.S. person, can I send financial donations directly to Syria in support of charitable activities under the Syria NGO General License at § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR)?

232 … No. Without a specific license, U.S. persons are not permitted to transfer financial donations directly to Syria or to NGOs in Syria. If you wish to donate funds in support of humanitarian work in Syria, you may do so by giving funds to U.S. or third-country NGOs to support non-commercial… Read more

867. Can U.S. and non-U.S. persons provide humanitarian assistance to Syria following the identification of the Central Bank of Syria (CBoS) on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List)?

867 … Yes. The identification of the CBoS on the SDN List does not trigger new prohibitions; existing general and specific licenses under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR), 31 C.F.R. Part 542, continue to apply as they did previously. U.S. persons may continue engaging with the CBoS in… Read more

868. I am a non-U.S. person that engages in humanitarian-related transactions or activity with Polymedics LLC and Letia Company. Do I now face exposure to sanctions for engaging in humanitarian-related transactions or activity with these companies?

868 … As described in FAQ 867 , non-U.S. persons would not risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in humanitarian-related transactions or activity with Polymedics LLC and Letia Company that are exempt from regulation or authorized for U.S. persons by a general license in the Syrian Sanctions… Read more

934. Are the United Nations and the U.S. government permitted to conduct stabilization and early recovery-related activities and transactions involving Syria? Does this apply to their contractors and grantees as well?

934 … Yes. The general license at § 542.513 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR) authorizes, subject to certain conditions, the United Nations, including its Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations, The International… Read more

884. Do non-U.S. persons, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and foreign financial institutions, risk exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions pursuant to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (Caesar Act) for activities that would be authorized under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR)?

884 … With respect to non-U.S. persons, OFAC will not consider transactions to be “significant” for the purpose of a sanctions determination under the Caesar Act if U.S. persons would not require a specific license from OFAC to participate in such a transaction. See 31 CFR § 542.414. Accordingly… Read more

938. What early-recovery-related transactions and activities are nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) authorized to engage in pursuant to the general license (GL) at § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR), as amended on June 5, 2024?

938 … The GL at § 542.516 of the SySR authorizes NGOs to engage in activities in support of certain non-commercial activities in Syria, including: humanitarian projects to meet basic human needs; democracy-building; education; non-commercial development projects directly benefitting the Syrian… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence