Frequently Asked Questions

1118. As of December 2022, the Government of the Russian Federation may require a so-called "exit tax" payment prior to the divestment of assets located in the Russian Federation, potentially requiring transactions involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation or the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. Do U.S. sanctions prohibit the payment of this so-called "exit tax"? Does Russia-related General License (GL) 13M authorize transactions that involve the payment of this exit tax?

1118 … The Directive 4 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, "Prohibitions Related to Transactions Involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation," as amended ( Russia-related Sovereign… Read more

1119. Does General License (GL) O authorize all wind-down transactions for any vessel that was blocked on March 2, 2023? What if the vessel contains Iranian-origin merchandise?

1119 … Iran GL O authorizes U.S. persons to wind down all transactions otherwise prohibited by section 5 of Executive Order 13846 involving any vessel blocked as part of the March 2, 2023 designation (“blocked vessels”), subject to certain conditions. This includes, among other activities, the… Read more

1120. Do non-U.S. persons risk exposure to U.S. sanctions for engaging in transactions that U.S. persons would be authorized to engage in under Iran General License (GL) O?

1120 … No. Non-U.S. persons generally do not risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in activities or facilitating transactions for such activities that would be authorized for U.S. persons pursuant to GL O . Non-U.S. persons unable to wind down transactions in accordance with Iran GL O before 12… 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

422. How do I get a copy of one or more of OFAC’s other sanctions lists (in addition to the Specially Designated Nationals list)?

422 … OFAC maintains other sanctions lists in addition to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list . The names on these lists may also appear on the SDN list when such targets have a blocking provision associated with them. However, when the treatment of sanctions targets is unique and stops… Read more

83. How are OFAC's delimited files structured?

83 … All of OFAC's delimited files are described in OFAC's SDN data file specification guide and non-SDN data specification guide . In addition, OFAC published a tutorial on how to construct a basic relational database using OFAC’s delimited list files … How are OFAC's delimited files …

81. What is the delimiter in OFAC's delimited files?

81 … The delimiter varies based upon the file type. Files that end in .CSV have a comma delimiter. Files that end in .FF have a fixed width delimiter. … What is the delimiter in OFAC's delimited files? …

Frequently Asked Questions

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