Frequently Asked Questions

231. Can U.S. NGOs deliver humanitarian assistance directly to Syria?

231 … Yes. U.S. NGOs may provide services to Syria in support of humanitarian projects in Syria as authorized by § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations. NGOs carrying out activities funded by the U.S. government, as described in § 542.522, or international organizations, as described in §… Read more

1168. What action did Treasury take on April 12, 2024 with regards to aluminum, copper, and nickel of Russian Federation origin?

1168 … On December 6, 2023, and February 24, 2024, the G7 Leaders issued statements signaling their intent to reduce Russia’s revenues from metals. On April 12, 2024, in coordination with the United Kingdom, the United States issued two new prohibitions that will further disrupt the revenue that… Read more

49. If I reject or block a transaction, when do I have to report the action to OFAC? How do I submit the report?

49 … 31 C.F.R. Parts 501.603 and 501.604 require blocking and reject reports to be submitted to OFAC within 10 business days of the date of the action. Optional reporting forms are available at this link and complete information may be emailed to OFAC's Sanctions Compliance and Evaluation Division… Read more

1124. I am a party seeking to enforce bondholder rights to the shares of CITGO Holding serving as collateral for the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) 2020 8.5 percent bond, pending the outcome of ongoing litigation. How can I preserve or enforce my bondholder rights consistent with the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (VSR)?

1124 … OFAC will not take enforcement action against any person for taking steps to preserve the ability to enforce bondholder rights to the CITGO shares serving as collateral for the PdVSA 2020 8.5 percent bond (see also OFAC Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) 1123 ; General License 42 and OFAC FAQ… Read more

1164. What prohibitions has OFAC implemented with respect to diamonds and diamond jewelry under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions program?

1164 … On March 11, 2022, the Biden Administration issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14068 , prohibiting the importation into the United States of non-industrial diamonds of Russian Federation origin. See FAQs 1019 and 1027 for the definition of Russian Federation origin and non-industrial diamonds,… Read more

825. How can parties participate in the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA) to export humanitarian goods to Iran?

825 … The SHTA is overseen by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and intended for use by U.S. and non-U.S. persons domiciled in Switzerland. Exporters within Swiss jurisdiction may reach out to SECO at SHTA@seco.admin.ch for further details on requirements and instructions… Read more

821. What does General License No. 8A (GL 8A) authorize with respect to humanitarian-related transactions and activities involving the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) or the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)?

821 … As a result of the CBI and NIOC's designations pursuant to Executive Order 13224 , as amended (E.O. 13224), U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transaction or dealing in the property or interests in property of the CBI or NIOC under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31… Read more

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.qa… Read more

822. I'm a U.S. person that relied on general or specific licenses pursuant to 560.530, 560.532, or 560.533 of the ITSR to conduct humanitarian-related transactions and activities involving the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) or the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) prior to their designations under E.O. 13224, as amended. Is any further authorization needed to conduct such transactions following the designations of the CBI and NIOC under E.O. 13224?

822 … No. As detailed in FAQ 821 , GL 8A authorizes certain humanitarian-related transactions and activities involving the CBI, NIOC, or any entity in which NIOC owns a 50 percent or greater interest, that would be prohibited by the GTSR or by the ITSR due to the exclusion at section 560.530(d)(5)… Read more

843. I'm a U.S. person that relied on general or specific licenses issued pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) to conduct humanitarian-related or other transactions and activities prior to the identification of the financial sector of Iran and sanctioning of a number of Iranian financial institutions (Iranian FIs) under E.O. 13902. Is any further authorization needed to conduct such transactions following these actions?

843 … No. General License (GL) L extends authorizations provided through specific and general licenses issued under the ITSR to apply to transactions and activities involving Iranian FIs blocked pursuant to E.O. 13902 . Further authorization from OFAC beyond GL L is not required under E.O. 13902,… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence