Frequently Asked Questions

20. How often is the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List updated?

The SDN list is frequently updated. There is no predetermined timetable, but rather names are added or removed as necessary and appropriate. …

23. What do I do if I have a match to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) or one of OFAC's other sanctions lists?

If you have checked a name manually or by using software and find a match, you should do a little more research. Is it an exact name match, or very close? Is your customer located in the same general area as the SDN or another entry on one of OFAC's sanctions lists? If not, it may be a "false hit… Read more

466. How do I verify if a name was removed from one of OFAC’s sanctions lists? How do I find the date a Specially Designated National (or other sanctions target) was added to, updated, or removed from an OFAC list?

For historical information about names that have been added to, updated, or removed from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals List or one of OFAC’s other sanctions lists , please see our Archive of Changes page . Designation, removal, and update information is organized chronologically by list and… Read more

82. Does OFAC have a web-based search engine for its sanctions lists?

Yes, OFAC does maintain its own web-based search service. It can be accessed by clicking here . …

246. How does Sanctions List Search work?

In addition to returning results that are exact matches (when the match threshold slider bar is set to 100%), Sanctions List Search can also provide a broader set of results using fuzzy logic. This logic uses character and string matching as well as phonetic matching. Only the name field of… Read more

916. What does Executive Order (E.O.) of August 9, 2021, “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus,” do?

E.O. of August 9, 2021 expands the scope of the national emergency pertaining to Belarus declared in E.O. 13405, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus ,” to provide additional authorities under which sanctions may be imposed against… Read more

917. Are all persons operating in sectors identified in the Executive Order (E.O.) of August 9, 2021, “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus,” blocked?

No. E.O. of August 9, 2021 authorizes the imposition of blocking sanctions on persons operating in certain identified sectors of the Belarus economy, including the defense and related materiel sector, security sector, energy sector, potassium chloride (potash) sector, tobacco products sector,… Read more

918. What does Belarus General License 4 (GL 4), “Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Belaruskali OAO,” authorize?

GL 4 authorizes, through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, December 8, 2021, all transactions and activities prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 14038 that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions involving Belaruskali OAO, or any entity in which Belaruskali OAO owns… 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?

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

953. Do U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network prohibit moving or sending money into or out of Afghanistan? Do U.S. sanctions prohibit or require a particular method of payment for moving or sending money into or out of Afghanistan?

No. U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network do not prohibit the movement of funds into or out of Afghanistan, provided that the transactions do not involve blocked individuals or entities, or property in which a blocked person has an interest. In addition, OFAC has issued General… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence