Frequently Asked Questions

952. When operating in Afghanistan, how can I tell who is a member of the Taliban or the Haqqani Network, which are designated are Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under U.S. counter terrorism sanctions?

952 … A number of members of the Taliban and/or the Haqqani Network are explicitly included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List) . Persons operating in Afghanistan can use OFAC’s SDN List Search Tool to identify such members of the Taliban or the Haqqani… Read more

953. Do U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network prohibit moving or sending money into or out of Afghanistan? Do U.S. sanctions prohibit or require a particular method of payment for moving or sending money into or out of Afghanistan?

953 … No. U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network do not prohibit the movement of funds into or out of Afghanistan, provided that the transactions do not involve blocked individuals or entities, or property in which a blocked person has an interest. In addition, OFAC has issued… Read more

954. Are purchases of fuel, payment for telecommunications services, payment for security services, payment of rent, and payment of utilities by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) considered ordinarily incident and necessary to authorized activities under Afghanistan-related General Licenses (GLs) 14, 15, and 19? Are such transactions covered by Afghanistan-related GL 20?

954 … The purchases of fuel, payment for telecommunications services, payment for security services, payment of rent, and payment of utilities may be authorized under 14 , 15 , and 19 provided that they are ordinarily incident and necessary to effectuate the activities authorized by the GLs. As… Read more

955. Are General Licenses (GLs) 17, 18, 19, and 20 consistent with the UN Security Council’s 1988 (Taliban) sanctions regime?

955 … Yes. GLs 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 and 20 help implement recently adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2615 (2021), which authorizes humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs as those terms are understood by the UN Security Council… Read more

956. For the Belarus, Russian Harmful Foreign Activities (Russia) Ukraine-/Russia-related, and Venezuela-related sanctions programs, how does OFAC view modifications to pre-existing loans, contracts, or other agreements to replace London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as the reference rate?

956 … In July 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced the “future cessation and loss of representativeness” of the ICE Benchmark Administration’s 35 global reference rates, the LIBOR rates. In light of the discontinuation of LIBOR as a benchmark reference rate, OFAC is… Read more

957. Can non-U.S. companies ship food and agricultural products to Afghanistan? Can banks process these transactions?

957 … Yes. Both U.S. and non-U.S. companies can ship food to Afghanistan, and banks can process financial transfers and other transactions associated with food shipments to Afghanistan. As described in FAQ 930 , U.S. sanctions do not specifically prohibit the exportation or reexportation of… Read more

958. What are examples of transactions involving the Taliban or the Haqqani Network that are authorized under Afghanistan-related General Licenses (GLs) 14 and 19? Are such transactions covered by Afghanistan-related GL 20?

958 … As one example, if a non-governmental organization is providing support directly to Afghan hospitals or healthcare workers but needs to sign a memorandum of understanding that involves the Taliban in order to provide such support directly to the Afghan people, this engagement would be… Read more

959. Is support to public hospitals in Afghanistan (e.g., health services, facilities maintenance, and health worker salaries) by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) considered ordinarily incident and necessary to authorized activities under Afghanistan-related General Licenses (GLs) 14, 15, and 19? Are such transactions covered by Afghanistan-related GL 20?

959 … Yes. Providing support to public hospitals, such as provision of health services, technical support, and institutional deliveries, as well as payments directly to healthcare workers, that would otherwise be prohibited under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 594 (GTSR),… Read more

960. Can nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations (IOs) make salary support or stipend payments directly to Afghan teachers and healthcare workers?

960 … Yes. Even to the extent doing so would involve transacting with the Taliban and/or Haqqani Network, NGOs can make salary support or stipend payments directly to healthcare workers, such as doctors at public hospitals or healthcare workers at community clinics, under General License (GL) 14… Read more

961. Can nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations (IOs) provide support to municipal water systems?

961 … Yes. Support to municipal water systems by NGOs for projects that directly benefit the Afghan people or otherwise relieve human suffering that would otherwise be prohibited under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 594 (GTSR), the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence