Frequently Asked Questions

1126. Under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, "Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation," any person determined to operate or have operated in certain sectors of the Russian Federation economy may be blocked. How is OFAC defining those sectors?

1126 … Section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 14024 imposes sanctions with respect to any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to operate or have operated in the technology sector or the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation… Read more

1127. What does a determination of a sector pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 do?

1127 … A sector determination pursuant to E.O. 14024 exposes persons that operate or have operated in an identified sector to sanctions risk; however, a sector determination does not automatically impose sanctions on all persons who operate or have operated in the sector. Only persons determined,… Read more

1128. Under Executive Order (E.O.) 14071, “Prohibiting New Investment in and Certain Services to the Russian Federation in Response to Continued Russian Federation,” U.S. persons are prohibited from providing certain services to persons located in the Russian Federation. How will OFAC define those categories of services?

1128 … Section 1(a)(ii) of E.O. 14071 prohibits the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any category of services as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with… Read more

1129. Do blocking sanctions issued by the State Department on May 19, 2023 on Polimetall AO apply to its corporate parent and affiliates?

1129 … On May 19, 2023, the Department of State designated Russia-based Polimetall AO pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 . These blocking sanctions apply only to this entity and any entities in which it owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest. Neither the Department… Read more

1122. Certain transactions related to telecommunications and certain internet-based communications are already authorized by Russia-related General License (GL) 25D. What additional transactions does Russia-related GL 65 authorize?

1122 … The United States generally supports the free flow of information globally as facilitated by telecommunications and certain internet-based communications. Accordingly, GL 25D authorizes — with certain exceptions and exclusions — (i) all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the… Read more

1086. For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, what is meant by the term “quantum computing sector of the Russian Federation economy”?

1086 … For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to E.O. 14024 , OFAC interprets the term “quantum computing sector of the Russian Federation economy” to include activities related to products and services in or involving the Russian Federation in research,… Read more

1091. Do non-U.S. persons face sanctions risk for supporting Russia following its sham referenda, purported annexation, and continued occupation of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine?

1091 … Yes. On September 23, G7 Leaders issued a statement condemning Russia’s sham referenda and noting their collective readiness to impose further economic costs on Russia, and on individuals and entities both inside and outside of Russia that provide political or economic support for Russia’s… Read more

1092. Do non-U.S. companies risk exposure to sanctions for providing ammunition or other military goods to Russia or for supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex?

1092 … Yes. Multiple Russia-related sanctions authorities authorize sanctions against non-U.S. persons that provide goods, services, or other support for Russia’s military-industrial complex. For example, OFAC may block any person determined to operate or have operated in the defense and related… Read more

1094. Is crude oil of Russian Federation origin that is loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading for maritime transport prior to December 5, 2022 subject to the price cap?

1094 … No, provided the oil is unloaded at the port of destination prior to 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, January 19, 2023. Crude oil of Russian Federation origin that is loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading prior to 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, December 5, 2022, and unloaded at… Read more

1096. Do U.S. sanctions prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the official business of diplomatic or consular missions of the Government of the Russian Federation located in or outside the United States?

1096 … OFAC issued Russia-related General License (GL) 53A to authorize U.S. persons to engage in all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the official business of diplomatic or consular missions of the Government of the Russian Federation ("Russian missions"), where the transactions… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence