Frequently Asked Questions

1192. What is covered by the exclusions under 3(i) and 3(ii) related to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) with respect to the IT and Software Services Determination?

The IT and Software Services Determination includes an exception for services related to software subject to the EAR, where: the export to Russia of such software is authorized or licensed by the Department of Commerce (Commerce); or where such software is not subject to the EAR and where the… Read more

1193. I am a U.S. company with a subsidiary organized and located in Russia. Can I provide the employees or contractors of my Russian subsidiary who are located in Russia with the services prohibited by the Information Technology (IT) and Software Services Determination under the exclusion "(1) any service to an entity located in the Russian Federation that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a U.S. person?

Yes, as long as the services provided are within the employees’ or contractors’ scope of employment for or on behalf of the U.S. subsidiary company located in Russia. For additional information on the IT and Software Services Determination, see FAQs 1184 - 1188 , and FAQ 1192 …

1194. I am a U.S. company with a subsidiary located in a third country (other than Russia). My third-country subsidiary has an employee or contractor located in Russia. Can I provide that employee or contractor located in Russia with the services prohibited by the Information Technology (IT) and Software Services Determination under the exclusion "(1) any service to an entity located in the Russian Federation that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a U.S. person"?

No. The scope of the exclusion applies only to U.S.-owned or controlled entities located in Russia and their employees and contractors acting within the scope of their employment. See FAQ 1193 . A U.S. person may not provide a service prohibited by the IT and Software Services Determination to a… Read more

1195. A U.S. company located in the United States has an employee or contractor located in Russia working directly for the U.S. company. Can the U.S. company provide that employee or contractor located in Russia with the services prohibited by the Information Technology (IT) and Software Services Determination under the exclusion "(1) any service to an entity located in the Russian Federation that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a U.S. person"?

No. The scope of the exclusion applies only to U.S.-owned or controlled entities located in Russia, and their employees and contractors acting within the scope of their employment. See FAQ 1193 . A U.S. person may not provide a service prohibited by the IT and Software Services Determination to a… Read more

1197. I'm a U.S. person with securities held at the National Settlement Depository (NSD), which were transferred pursuant to Russian Decree 840 to another Russian registrar. Am I required to block these securities?

Yes. On June 12, 2024, OFAC designated the National Settlement Depository (NSD), along with the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) and the National Clearing Center (NCC) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy… Read more

1059. Do the determinations made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 on May 8, 2022, “Prohibitions Related to Certain Accounting, Trust and Corporate Formation, and Management Consulting Services,” on September 15, 2022, “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services,” and on May 19, 2023, “Prohibitions Related to Architecture and Engineering Services” (“the determinations”), prohibit U.S. persons from providing services to persons located outside of the Russian Federation that are owned or controlled by persons located in the Russian Federation?

No, provided that the provision of services is not an indirect export to a person located in the Russian Federation. For the purposes of these determinations, OFAC interprets the “indirect” provision of the prohibited services to include when the benefit of the services is ultimately received by a… Read more

1058. For the purposes of section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order (E.O.) 14071, what is meant by the term “person located in the Russian Federation”?

For the purposes of section 1(a)(ii) of E.O. 14071 , OFAC interprets “person located in the Russian Federation” to include persons in the Russian Federation, individuals ordinarily resident in the Russian Federation, and entities incorporated or organized under the laws of the Russian Federation or… Read more

1118. As of December 2022, the Government of the Russian Federation may require a so-called "exit tax" payment prior to the divestment of assets located in the Russian Federation, potentially requiring transactions involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation or the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. Do U.S. sanctions prohibit the payment of this so-called "exit tax"? Does Russia-related General License (GL) 13Q authorize transactions that involve the payment of this exit tax?

Directive 4 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, "Prohibitions Related to Transactions Involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation," as amended (Russia-related Sovereign Transactions… Read more

1080. I am a U.S. person with an account at a Russian financial institution blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024. What am I required or allowed to do under OFAC sanctions with respect to such accounts?

Since Russia's further invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, OFAC has blocked a number of Russian financial institutions pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy (see FAQ 966 ). In addition, all property and… Read more

1224. What negotiations does Russia-related General License 131F authorize, and what transaction conditions will OFAC consider when evaluating requests for further authorization to effectuate a sale of Lukoil International GmbH (LIG) assets?

On October 22, 2025, OFAC designated Public Joint-Stock Company Oil Company Lukoil (Lukoil) to increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade Russia's ability to raise revenue for its war machine. OFAC is aware of potential efforts by Lukoil to divest its assets outside of Russia to non-… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence