Frequently Asked Questions

920. How are the sanctions related to import restrictions imposed on Russia pursuant to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Act of 1991 (CBW Act), as announced by the State Department on August 20, 2021, being implemented?

920 … The announced import restrictions related to the permanent importation of firearms and ammunition that are the growth, product, or manufacture of the Russian Federation will be implemented by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). OFAC has… Read more

921. What is the purpose of Executive Order (E.O.) of August 20, 2021, “Blocking Property with Respect to Certain Russian Energy Export Pipelines”?

921 … The Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act of 2019, 22 U.S.C. 9526 note, as amended (PEESA), requires the imposition of sanctions with respect to the provision of vessels engaged in specified activities for the construction of certain Russian energy export pipelines, including the Nord… Read more

922. What does Executive Order (E.O.) of September 17, 2021, “Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons with Respect to the Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia,” do?

922 … E.O. of September 17, 2021 provides for the imposition of menu-based sanctions on foreign persons determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to meet certain criteria under the order, including foreign persons determined to be responsible for or… Read more

923. Do blocking sanctions imposed on persons pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) of September 17, 2021, “Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons with Respect to the Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia,” automatically apply to entities owned in whole or in part by sanctioned persons?

923 … No. Unless an entity is itself a sanctioned person (as defined in E.O. of September 17, 2021 ) and listed separately on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), it is not blocked pursuant to E.O. of September 17, 2021. OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule does not apply… Read more

924. Do non-blocking sanctions imposed on persons pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) of September 17, 2021, “Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons with Respect to the Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia,” automatically apply to entities owned in whole or in part by sanctioned persons?

924 … No. If a person is listed on OFAC’s Non-SDN Menu-Based Sanctions List (NS-MBS List) as subject to only one or more of the sanctions described in section 2(a)(i)(B) – (E) of E.O. of September 17, 2021, these non-blocking sanctions do not apply to an entity owned in whole or in part,… Read more

939. What does Belarus General License 5 (GL 5), “Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Potash Company or Agrorozkvit LLC,” authorize?

939 … GL 5 authorizes, through 12:01a.m. eastern standard time, April 1, 2022, all transactions and activities prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 14038 that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions involving Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) or… Read more

940. What does Directive 1 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14038 do?

940 … Pursuant to Directive 1 under E .O. 14038 , the following activities by U.S. persons or within the United States are prohibited, except to the extent provided by law or unless licensed or otherwise authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control: all transactions in, provision of… Read more

941. Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in dealings in both the primary and secondary markets for new debt with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued on or after December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus?

941 … Yes. … Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in dealings in both the primary and secondary markets for new debt with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued on or after December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development… Read more

942. Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in dealings related to debt issued before December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus?

942 … No, so long as the terms of such debt (including the repayment period, the interest rate, and the amount) were contractually agreed to before December 2, 2021 and are not modified on or after December 2, 2021. … Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in dealings… Read more

943. Does the 50 Percent Rule apply to Directive 1 under E.O. 14038?

943 … No. The prohibitions in Directive 1 do not apply to any entity that is owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, whether individually or in the aggregate. … Does the 50 Percent… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence