Frequently Asked Questions

991. Why did the Department of the Treasury issue Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 20, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan”?

991 … The U.S. government recognizes that Afghanistan is facing a widespread humanitarian and economic crisis. Treasury issued Afghanistan-related GL 20 to ensure that U.S. sanctions do not stand in the way of transactions and activities that support basic human needs of the people in Afghanistan… Read more

992. What are examples of activities authorized by Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 20, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan”?

992 … Transactions that are generally authorized by GL 20 to the extent authorization is required include: Commercial transactions involving Afghanistan, including imports from Afghanistan, exports to Afghanistan, and commercial transactions within or involving the geographical territory of… Read more

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?

993 … 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… 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?

994 … 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?

995 … 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… 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?

996 … 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… Read more

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

997 … 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… Read more

949. Do sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network prohibit the sending of personal remittances to Afghanistan?

949 … No. The Taliban are designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended . The Haqqani Network is designated as an SDGT under E.O. 13224, as amended, and a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under section 219 of the Immigration and… Read more

951. Is Afghanistan subject to comprehensive sanctions?

951 … 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,… Read more

952. When operating in Afghanistan, how can I tell who is a member of the Taliban or the Haqqani Network, which are designated are Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under U.S. counter terrorism sanctions?

952 … A number of members of the Taliban and/or the Haqqani Network are explicitly included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List) . Persons operating in Afghanistan can use OFAC’s SDN List Search Tool to identify such members of the Taliban or the Haqqani… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence