Frequently Asked Questions

538. Does OFAC aggregate ownership stakes of all entities subject to Directive 4 when determining whether a project is 33 percent or more owned by a person subject to Directive 4, or whether a person subject to Directive 4 owns a majority of the voting interests in a project?

538 … Yes. The prohibition of subsection 2 of Directive 4 applies to projects owned 33 percent or more in the aggregate by one or more Directive 4 SSI entities, their property, and their interests in property, including entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more persons determined to be… Read more

453. Pursuant to General License 6 under the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Program, are U.S. financial institutions authorized to process noncommercial, personal remittances to or from Crimea (or to or from individuals ordinarily resident in Crimea) when there is no individual who is a U.S. person as either the remitter or beneficiary in the transaction?

453 … Yes. U.S. depository institutions, U.S.-registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S.-registered money transmitters are authorized to process noncommercial, personal remittances pursuant to General License 6 regardless of whether the originator or beneficiary is an individual who is a… Read more

454. Does General License No. 9 authorize U.S. persons to export or reexport services or software with knowledge or reason to know that such services or software are intended for an individual or entity identified on the Sectoral Sanctions Identification List (SSI List)?

454 … General License No. 9 authorizes the exportation or reexportation, directly or indirectly, of certain services and software to persons in the Crimea region of Ukraine, including to individuals and entities identified on the SSI List or who are otherwise subject to directives under Executive… Read more

539. Section 223(a) of CAATSA states that the “Secretary of the Treasury may determine that a person meets one or more of the criteria in section 1(a) of Executive Order No. 13662 if that person is a state-owned entity operating in the railway or metals and mining sector of the economy of the Russian Federation.” Is OFAC going to impose sanctions on persons operating in those sectors?

539 … Section 223(a) of CAATSA does not require the imposition of sanctions. While sanctions may be imposed on potential targets in any sector of the economy of the Russian Federation in the future, maintaining unity with partners on sanctions implemented with respect to the Russian Federation is… Read more

540. How will OFAC interpret the following terms as used in section 233 of CAATSA: “investment,” “facilitates,” “unjustly benefits,” and “close associates or family members?”

540 … For purposes of implementing section 233 of CAATSA , OFAC anticipates interpreting these key terms as follows: “investment” – For purposes of implementing section 233 of CAATSA, OFAC will interpret the term “investment” broadly as a transaction that constitutes a commitment or contribution of… Read more

567. I am a U.S. person employee or work at an office of a company that was designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked by operation of law pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation. What am I authorized to do with respect to continuing activities of the blocked entity?

567 … In issuing General License 12A , OFAC is authorizing a time-limited maintenance or wind down of operations, contracts, or other agreements that were in effect prior to April 6, 2018 and in which the blocked entities listed in General License 12A have an interest, provided that any payment… Read more

568. I am a U.S. person, and I am also an employee, or sit on the board, of an entity that was either designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked by operation of law pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation. Can I continue to be employed by or sit on the board of a blocked entity? What am I allowed to do with respect to severing ties with the entity?

568 … Absent authorization from OFAC, your continued employment or board membership with such an entity is prohibited. You should review the actions you view as necessary to sever your ties with the blocked entity against applicable OFAC regulations, authorizations, and public guidance. If, after… Read more

569. A U.S. company had ordered goods from an entity that was designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation. May the U.S. company still accept the goods?

569 … Yes, provided that the importation is in accordance with the requirements and limitations specified in General License 12A . For the limited period of time specified in the general license, General License 12A authorizes all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the maintenance or… Read more

570. I own shares in or global depositary receipts (GDRs) related to shares in an entity that was designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation. What action am I allowed to take with respect to those shares or GDRs?

570 … Until 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, May 25, 2022, General License (GL) 13R authorizes certain divestment and transfer activities related to debt, equity, or other holdings in GAZ Group, or in entities in which GAZ Group owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, that… Read more

571. I am a U.S. person holding accounts for or other property of an entity or individual that was designated under E.O. 13661 or E.O. 13662, or blocked pursuant to OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule on April 6, 2018 as a result of such a designation. Does General License (GL) 13R allow me to unblock this property?

571 … No. Until 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, May 25, 2022, GL 13R authorizes certain divestment and transfer activities related to debt, equity, or other holdings in GAZ Group, or in entities in which GAZ Group owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, that were issued… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence