Frequently Asked Questions

1104. Is Norilsk Nickel blocked as a result of the designation of Vladimir Potanin?

No. OFAC has not designated Norilsk Nickel and, based on information available to OFAC as of December 15, 2022, Norilsk Nickel is not owned 50% or more by blocked persons or otherwise considered the blocked property of Vladimir Potanin… Read more

1105. What actions did OFAC take to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2664 of December 9, 2022 relating to a new UN sanctions exception for humanitarian assistance?

On December 9, 2022, the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted UNSCR 2664, which establishes a humanitarian carveout to the asset freeze measure across United Nations sanctions regimes. The carveout enables the flow of legitimate humanitarian assistance and activities supporting the basic… Read more

1106. Are financial institutions permitted to provide banking services, including processing funds transfers, related to activities authorized under the four categories of the general licenses (GLs) outlined in FAQ 1105? What are OFAC's diligence expectations of financial institutions seeking to engage in such activities?

U.S. financial institutions may operate accounts, including processing funds transfers, for persons engaging in activities authorized by the GLs related to: (i) the official business of the U.S. government, (ii) official business of certain international organizations and entities, (iii) certain… Read more

1107. For purposes of the OFAC general licenses related to the official business of certain international organizations and entities (IO GLs), what organizations are included within the United Nations' "Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations"?

For an organizational chart of the United Nations (UN), which lists the UN Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations, including the World Bank, please see this page on the UN website . The IO GLs also authorize the activities of… Read more

1108. Does OFAC’s issuance of general licenses (GLs) as outlined in FAQ 1105 restrict the scope of any existing exemptions or OFAC authorizations for humanitarian activities?

No. OFAC’s action of December 20, 2022 does not restrict the scope of any existing exemptions or OFAC authorizations for humanitarian activities, including existing general licenses authorizing certain NGO activities in sanctioned jurisdictions such as the Crimea Region of Ukraine, Iran, and Syria… Read more

1109. Are petroleum products of Russian Federation origin that are loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading for maritime transport prior to February 5, 2023 subject to the price cap?

No, provided the petroleum products are unloaded at the port of destination prior to 12:01 a.m., eastern daylight time, April 1, 2023. Petroleum products of Russian Federation origin that are loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading prior to 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, February 5, 2023,… Read more

1110. What are key changes made by the May 17, 2024, amendment to 31 CFR § 560.540 in comparison to Iran General License D-2?

On May 17, 2024, OFAC amended 31 CFR § 560.540 of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) to incorporate the provisions of General License (GL) D-2 into 31 CFR § 560.540, with certain additional amendments. Section 560.540 supersedes GL D-2, which OFAC issued on September 23, 2022… Read more

1111. What does Global Magnitsky General License 5 Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Frigorifico Chajha S.A.E. authorize?

On January 26, 2023, OFAC designated Frigorifico Chajha S.A.E. (Frigorifico Chajha), pursuant to E.O. 13818 . Concurrent with this action, OFAC issued General License (GL) 5 , which authorizes certain transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the divestment or transfer, or the facilitation… Read more

1113. If a decedent’s estate includes securities issued by non-blocked Russian entities, do the new investment prohibitions in Executive Order (E.O.) 14066, E.O. 14068, or E.O. 14071 prohibit the transfer of such securities, through inheritance, to the relevant beneficiary of the decedent’s estate?

No. U.S. persons, including U.S. financial institutions, may transfer securities issued by non-blocked Russian entities from a decedent’s estate to the account of a relevant beneficiary or beneficiaries, including a successor entity (e.g., a family trust), provided such transfers (i) are part of… Read more

1114. What actions were taken on February 24, 2023 related to the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy?

On February 24, 2023, the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Department of State, issued a sectoral determination pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 that authorizes the imposition of economic sanctions on any person determined to operate or have operated in the metals and mining… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence