Frequently Asked Questions

43 … There is no legal or regulatory requirement to use software or to scan. There is a requirement, however, not to violate the law by doing business with a target or failing to block property. OFAC realizes that financial institutions use software that does not always provide an instantaneous… Read more

18 … As part of its enforcement efforts, OFAC publishes a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not… Read more

21 … All changes for the current calendar year are cumulatively available in the SDN List PDF file . The entire list may also be browsed using OFAC's Sanctions List Search Tool ​. Cumulative changes for prior years back to 1994 are also available in ASCII format on the Archive of Changes to the SDN… Read more

19 … The best way to get the SDN list is from OFAC's website . The list is disseminated in a number of different formats, including XML and fixed field/delimited files that can be integrated into databases. … How do I get a copy of the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) …

20 … The SDN list is frequently updated. There is no predetermined timetable, but rather names are added or removed as necessary and appropriate. … How often is the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List …

23 … If you have checked a name manually or by using software and find a match, you should do a little more research. Is it an exact name match, or very close? Is your customer located in the same general area as the SDN or another entry on one of OFAC's sanctions lists? If not, it may be a "false… Read more

466 … For historical information about names that have been added to, updated, or removed from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals List or one of OFAC’s other sanctions lists , please see our Archive of Changes page . Designation, removal, and update information is organized chronologically by… Read more

56 … SDNs are individuals and entities located throughout the world that are blocked pursuant to the various sanctions programs administered by OFAC. SDNs can be front companies, parastatal entities, or individuals determined to be owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted… Read more

82 … Yes, OFAC does maintain its own web-based search service. It can be accessed by clicking here . … Does OFAC have a web-based search engine for its sanctions lists? …

246 … In addition to returning results that are exact matches (when the match threshold slider bar is set to 100%), Sanctions List Search can also provide a broader set of results using fuzzy logic. This logic uses character and string matching as well as phonetic matching. Only the name field of… Read more