Frequently Asked Questions

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

1097. What does Counterterrorism-related General License 21B (GL 21B) authorize?

1097 … GL 21B authorizes all activities otherwise prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (GTSR), 31 CFR part 594, that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the limited safety and environmental activities described in paragraph (a) of GL 21B involving certain blocked persons… 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?

1080 … 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… Read more

1081. Am I required to show official documentation that I’ve closed my account at a Russian financial institution blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 in order to take advantage of Russia-related General License (GL) 50?

1081 … No. GL 50 authorizes individuals with accounts at Russian financial institutions blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024 to unblock and lump sum transfer funds to an account at a non-designated financial institution. Individuals do not need to provide official documentation proving they have closed… Read more

1083. What actions were taken on September 15, 2022 related to certain quantum computing services?

1083 … On September 15, 2022, the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Department of State, issued a determination pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 , “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services,” prohibiting the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or… Read more

1084. For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071, “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services” (“the determination”), what is meant by the term “quantum computing services”?

1084 … For the purposes of the determination , OFAC anticipates publishing regulations defining this term to include any of the following services when related to quantum computing, quantum computers, electronic assemblies thereof, or cryogenic refrigeration systems related to quantum computing: … Read more

621. What is the prohibition on U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entities, and how does it work?

621 … Consistent with Section 218 of TRA , section 8 of E.O. 13846 continues in effect the sanctions previously contained in section 4 of E.O. 13628 and expands them to cover activity sanctionable under E.O. 13846 (see FAQ 601 ). This provision prohibits a U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entity… Read more

1012. Do I have to wind down energy-related transactions by the expiration date of Russia-related General License (GL) 8L?

1012 … On January 10, 2025, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended GL 8L to authorize the wind-down of energy-related transactions through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, March 12, 2025. OFAC issued GL 115A to authorize transactions related to civil nuclear energy involving certain… Read more

966. What actions did Treasury take in February 2022 related to Russia's financial services sector pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024?

966 … Treasury took expansive sanctions actions related to Russia's financial services sector in February 2022 as detailed below. Financial services sector determination . On February 22, 2022, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, issued a determination… Read more

1010. My company transports Russian oil for sale to the United States and third countries. Can I continue to transport or sell Russian-origin oil without violating sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024?

1010 … The energy sector of the Russian Federation economy itself is not subject to comprehensive sanctions. However, prohibitions or restrictions may apply to certain energy-related transactions under several sanctions authorities, including prohibitions issued pursuant to E.O. 13662 , E.O. 14024… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence