Frequently Asked Questions

The general license at 31 CFR § 515.545(b)(1) authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are directly incident to the exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials. This general license excludes from its… Read more

Section 515.574 of the CACR contains a general license that authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people, which include activities of recognized human rights organizations; independent organizations… Read more

Given that many of OFAC's licensing determinations are guided by U.S. foreign policy and national security concerns, OFAC often coordinates with the U.S. Department of State and other government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, to make licensing determinations. Please note that… Read more

Applicants or other interested parties may request, at any time, reconsideration of a denied license application on the basis of changed circumstances or new facts. OFAC will reconsider such determinations for good cause, where the applicant has demonstrated changed circumstances or submitted… Read more

Applicants can check the status of their application through the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website by selecting " View Application Status " and entering the case identification ("Case ID") number in the OFAC Licensing Portal. For more information on your status… Read more

Generally, U.S. persons should neither open an account for a blocked person nor permit transactions with blocked persons. U.S. persons, including foreign branches of U.S. financial institutions and others subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are generally prohibited from opening an account for any… Read more

Reports on blocked property and rejected transactions must be submitted to OFAC through the OFAC Reporting System (ORS) within 10 business days of the date of the action. These reports must include copies of relevant documents that support the information provided in the reports. Examples of… Read more

An organization may notify its customer that it has blocked property in accordance with OFAC's regulations and may identify the sanctions program or regulations under which the organization blocked the property. (For more information on OFAC sanctions programs, visit the Sanctions Programs and… Read more

Yes. U.S. persons holding blocked property as of June 30 of the current year must submit an Annual Report of Blocked Property to OFAC no later than September 30 of the same year. Filers are required to use the Annual Report of Blocked Property spreadsheet form (TD F 90-22.50) and submit completed… Read more

While OFAC does not maintain a specific list of countries with which U.S. persons may not do business, the Sanctions Programs and Country Information page on OFAC's website provides a list of sanctions programs administered by OFAC. OFAC implements, administers, and enforces U.S. economic sanctions… Read more