Frequently Asked Questions

572. Prior to April 6, 2018, E.O. 13662 only applied to OFAC’s Ukraine-/Russia-related sectoral sanctions and identifications under the Sectoral Sanctions Identification List. Why is OFAC designating individuals and entities under E.O. 13662?

Although E.O. 13662 provides OFAC the authority to impose sectoral sanctions on specified persons operating in sectors of the Russian economy as implemented through Directives 1-4 , OFAC may also designate persons as blocked under E.O. 13662. Unlike with SSI entities, U.S. persons must block the… Read more

573. A person designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked by operation of law pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation holds an ownership interest of less than fifty percent in a U.S. company. In such a scenario, how does the U.S. company comply with U.S. sanctions?

If one or more blocked persons in such a scenario does not hold a 50 percent or more interest in the U.S. company, the U.S. company is not itself blocked, but the U.S. company must block all property and interests in property in which the blocked person has an interest. See OFAC’s 50 percent rule… Read more

574. Will foreign persons be subject to sanctions for doing business with the individuals or entities designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation?

Section 228 of CAATSA amends SSIDES by inserting a mandatory sanctions provision on foreign persons that Treasury determines, inter alia, knowingly facilitate significant transactions, including deceptive or structured transactions, for or on behalf of any person subject to U.S. sanctions with… Read more

575. Why is OFAC issuing General License 14, and what new activity does it authorize?

The purpose of General License 14 is to allow United Company RUSAL PLC (RUSAL) or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, to continue maintenance or wind down activities until October 23, 2018. Although all funds blocked prior to 12:01 a.m.… Read more

576. Under what circumstances can OFAC give further sanctions relief to RUSAL or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest?

Consistent with OFAC regulations, parties may be removed by demonstrating a change in the circumstances that led to their designation. In the case of RUSAL, absent other adverse information and consistent with the facts and circumstances of any petition for delisting, the path for the United States… Read more

577. I am a U.S. person holding accounts for or other property of RUSAL or another entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest. Does General License 14 allow me to unblock this property?

No. All accounts or other property of RUSAL or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest blocked as of April 23, 2018 remain blocked, except for the use in maintenance and wind-down activities described in General License 14. U.S. persons,… Read more

578. How did General License 12A differ from General License 12?

General License 12A was amended to reflect the authorization in General License 14 . Specifically, U.S. persons were no longer required to place into a blocked account payments to or for RUSAL, or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, for… Read more

579. Will foreign persons be subject to sanctions under CAATSA for engaging in activity with RUSAL or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest?

As described in FAQs 542 , 545 , and 574 , a transaction will not be considered “significant” for the purposes of a sanctions determination under section 10 of SSIDES , as amended by section 228 of CAATSA , and section 5 of UFSA , as amended by section 226 of CAATSA, if U.S. persons would not… Read more

580. I am a foreign person that seeks to pay RUSAL or another entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest for goods or services connected with maintenance or wind-down activities authorized by General License 14. Am I required to deposit payment into a blocked account at a U.S. financial institution in order for my payment to not be considered “significant” for purposes of section 10 of SSIDES, as amended by section 228 of CAATSA, or section 5 of UFSA, as amended by section 226 of CAATSA?

No. U.S. persons may engage in activities authorized by General License 14 that occur on or after April 23, 2018, except for activities involving blocked persons other than RUSAL (or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest) without making… Read more

581. I am a U.S. person that seeks to supply goods to RUSAL. Am I permitted to export those goods from the United States to RUSAL pursuant to General License 14?

Yes. General License 14 does not restrict exports to RUSAL (or any other entity in which RUSAL owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest), provided that the activity is for maintenance or wind down and consistent with the requirements of other federal …

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence