Frequently Asked Questions

251 … Only the name field influences the score. … What fields influence the score? …

252 … Only the name field uses the fuzzy searching logic. … What fields use fuzzy logic? …

287. Who may use Sanctions List Search? Can we configure our automated system to utilize Sanctions List Search on a continual basis?

287 … Sanctions List Search is a free tool provided by OFAC to assist the public in complying with sanctions programs. It is intended to be used by individual users that are looking for potential matches on OFAC's sanctions lists. It should not be utilized by automated systems that are configured… Read more

369. Does Sanctions List Search look for potential matches on all of the various sanctions lists that OFAC has published on its website?

369 … Sanctions List Search will look for and return potential matches from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Consolidated Sanctions Lists . The user can look under the List column to see which list(s) a potential match is on. Please see the Consolidated List page for more detailed… Read more

467. Does the Sanctions List Search tool show historic information? For example, does it show names that have been removed from one of OFAC's sanctions lists?

467 … OFAC's Sanctions List Search is updated frequently and always contains the latest versions of OFAC's sanctions lists. Like OFAC's other list-related publications, Sanctions List Search does not contain historical information. Names that have been removed from OFAC's Specially Designated… Read more

253. When conducting a search using the ID field, does Sanctions List Search account for variations in non-alphanumeric characters?

253 … Sanctions List Search’s ID field uses exact character matching to provide users with a result. In order to receive the broadest number of results, users should conduct ID field searches both with and without any non-alphanumeric characters. … When conducting a search using the ID field, does… Read more

79. Does OFAC provide its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List in a format that can be easily imported into a database?

79 … Yes. OFAC's SDN list is available in XML, fixed-field and delimited formats that can be imported into a variety of software programs. … Does OFAC provide its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List in a format that can be easily imported into a …

80. Does OFAC provide its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List in a spreadsheet format?

80 … OFAC publishes the SDN data in a comma separated values format (CSV). This format is recognized by Excel and other spreadsheet programs and can be imported into spreadsheet format by simply opening the file in your default spreadsheet application. … Does OFAC provide its Specially Designated… Read more

504. I understand that travel to Russia involves clearing Russian border control, which is part of the FSB. Do I need a license from OFAC to travel to Russia, or to clear Russian customs?

504 … No, the sanctions on the FSB do not apply to transactions by U.S. persons that are ordinarily incident to travel to or from Russia, including those transactions required to enter into or exit the country (i.e., complying with Russian border control requirements). … I understand that travel to… Read more

129. Can I make a private donation to a charity that is delivering humanitarian assistance in Somalia?

129 … Yes. Please visit USAID’s website for more information about how you can help. … Can I make a private donation to a charity that is delivering humanitarian assistance in Somalia? …

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence