Frequently Asked Questions

1135. How can companies participate in the humanitarian channel in Qatar to export humanitarian goods to Iran?

1135 … Financial institutions participating in the humanitarian channel in Qatar (HC) have received specific guidance from the U.S. government. Companies interested in participating in transactions under the HC should coordinate directly with the Qatari International Media Office at info@imo.gov.… Read more

1136. Can U.S. persons purchase bonds issued by the Government of Venezuela or Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) prior to August 25, 2017 on the secondary market?

1136 … Yes. On October 18, 2023, OFAC issued amended General Licenses (GLs) 3I and 9H , to remove the restriction that any divestment by U.S. persons of holdings in GL 3I Bonds (as defined in GL 3I and FAQ 662 ) or PdVSA Securities (as defined in GL 9H and FAQ 661 ) must be to non-U.S. persons. GL… Read more

1137. For purposes of General License (GL) 45B, “Authorizing Certain Repatriation Transactions Involving Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos, S.A.,” what countries are included in the “Western Hemisphere”?

1137 … For the purposes of GL 45B, OFAC considers the term “Western Hemisphere” to mean those countries and areas identified by the Department of State on its website as comprising the Western Hemisphere. Please see: Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs - United States Department of State. Date… Read more

1145. What if a governing institution in Afghanistan is led by an individual who has been blocked pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Sanctions Regulations?

1145 … Generally, the designation of an individual with a leadership role in a governing institution does not itself block the governing institution. Accordingly, engaging in a routine interaction with a governing institution in which a blocked individual is an official, but that does not directly… Read more

1146. What does Executive Order (E.O.) 14114, “Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Russian Federation’s Harmful Activities,” do?

1146 … E.O. 14114 amends E.O. 14024 and E.O. 14068 to further address the Russian Federation’s continued use of its military-industrial base to aid its effort to undermine security in countries and regions important to United States national security and to further counteract the Russian Federation… Read more

1147. How does Executive Order (E.O.) 14114 amend E.O. 14024, “Blocking Property with Respect to Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation”?

1147 … E.O. 14114 amends E.O. 14024 to authorize the imposition of sanctions on foreign financial institutions (FFIs) that have engaged in certain transactions involving Russia’s military-industrial base, including all persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O.… Read more

1148. What activities could expose a foreign financial institution (FFI) to sanctions under section 11 of Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended by E.O. 14114?

1148 … FFIs may be sanctioned for engaging in certain transactions, or providing any service, involving Russia’s military-industrial base. For example, FFIs may be sanctioned for conducting any significant transaction(s) for any person that has been blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. FFIs may also… Read more

1149. What sanctions can be imposed on a foreign financial institution (FFI) that engaged in conduct described in section 11 of Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended by E.O. 14114? What are the obligations of U.S. financial institutions?

1149 … Pursuant to subsection 11(b) of E.O. 14024 , as amended, OFAC may block FFIs or prohibit the opening or prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintenance of correspondent accounts or payable-through accounts in the United States for such FFIs. For FFIs for which the opening or… Read more

1150. What does determination of December 22, 2023, “Determination Pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) of Executive Order (E.O. 14024)” (Russia Critical Items Determination) do?

1150 … The Russia Critical Items Determination issued pursuant to subsection 11(a)(ii) of E.O. 14024 identifies certain items that support Russia’s military-industrial base. Foreign financial institutions (FFIs) may be sanctioned for having conducted or facilitated any significant transaction or… Read more

1151. How does OFAC intend to interpret the following terms in Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended by E.O. 14114: “foreign financial institution,” “Russia’s military-industrial base,” and “significant transaction or transactions”?

1151 … OFAC expects to promulgate regulations that define or interpret these terms as follows: Foreign Financial Institution: As defined in subsection 11(f) of E.O. 14024 , foreign financial institution means any foreign entity that is engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making, granting… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence