Frequently Asked Questions

1093. What does Nicaragua General License (GL) 4 authorize?

1093 … Nicaragua GL 4 authorizes U.S. persons to engage in transactions prohibited by the Nicaragua Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 582 (the NSR), that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of any transaction involving the Directorate General of Mines (DGM) of the Nicaraguan… Read more

1094. Is crude oil of Russian Federation origin that is loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading for maritime transport prior to December 5, 2022 subject to the price cap?

1094 … No, provided the oil is unloaded at the port of destination prior to 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, January 19, 2023. Crude oil of Russian Federation origin that is loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading prior to 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, December 5, 2022, and unloaded at… Read more

1096. Do U.S. sanctions prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the official business of diplomatic or consular missions of the Government of the Russian Federation located in or outside the United States?

1096 … OFAC issued Russia-related General License (GL) 53A to authorize U.S. persons to engage in all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the official business of diplomatic or consular missions of the Government of the Russian Federation ("Russian missions"), where the transactions… Read more

1097. What does Counterterrorism-related General License 21B (GL 21B) authorize?

1097 … GL 21B authorizes all activities otherwise prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (GTSR), 31 CFR part 594, that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the limited safety and environmental activities described in paragraph (a) of GL 21B involving certain blocked persons… Read more

1046. Are U.S. persons required to divest their current holdings of Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies' (CMIC) securities before the end of the relevant 365-day divestment period pursuant to section 1(c) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13959, as amended?

1046 … U.S. persons are not required to divest their holdings of CMIC securities during the relevant 365-day divestment period and may continue to hold such securities after the divestment period. E.O. 13959, as amended, permits purchases or sales made solely to effect the divestment of CMIC… Read more

1047. For the purposes of Executive Order (E.O.) 13959, as amended, can holders of Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies' (CMIC) securities receive stock splits, cash dividends, or dividend reinvestments related to the covered securities, and are U.S. financial institutions allowed to process transactions related to this activity?

1047 … U.S. persons who hold securities of CMICs identified pursuant to E.O. 13959, as amended, may continue to receive cash dividends and stock splits related to such covered securities, and U.S. financial institutions may continue to process such transactions. However, purchases of CMIC… Read more

1048. After the relevant 365-day divestment period, are U.S. financial institutions required to block the attempted purchase or sale of Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies' (CMIC) securities covered by Executive Order (E.O.) 13959, as amended?

1048 … No. E.O. 13959, as amended, does not require U.S. financial institutions to block transactions. However, transactions that would be prohibited under E.O. 13959, as amended (including an attempted sale of covered securities by a U.S. person made to effect the divestment of CMIC securities… Read more

1051. Is the export to the Russian Federation or import from the Russian Federation of goods, services, or technology considered “new investment” for the purposes of Russia-related Executive Order (E.O.) 14066, E.O. 14068, or E.O. 14071 (collectively, “the respective E.O.s”)?

1051 … The prohibitions on “new investment” pursuant to the respective E.O.s do not prohibit the export or import of goods, services, or technology, or related sales or purchases, to or from the Russian Federation, provided that such transaction is made pursuant to ordinary commercial sales terms (… Read more

1050. What types of transactions are considered to be “maintenance” activities described in FAQ 1049 and therefore outside the scope of the “new investment” prohibitions of Russia-related Executive Order (E.O.) 14066, E.O. 14068, or E.O. 14071 (collectively, “the respective E.O.s”)?

1050 … For the purposes of the respective E.O. prohibitions, “new investment” generally excludes the maintenance of investments in the Russian Federation that were made prior to the effective dates of the respective E.O. prohibitions (“pre-existing projects or operations”). “Maintenance” of… Read more

1049. For the purposes of Russia-related Executive Order (E.O.) 14066, E.O. 14068, or E.O. 14071 (collectively, “the respective E.O.s”), what is meant by the term “new investment”?

1049 … For the purposes of the respective E.O.s, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) views “investment” as the commitment of capital or other assets for the purpose of generating returns or appreciation. OFAC interprets “new” investment as such a commitment made on or after the effective… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence