Frequently Asked Questions

1080. I am a U.S. person with an account at a Russian financial institution blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024. What am I required or allowed to do under OFAC sanctions with respect to such accounts?

1080 … Since Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, OFAC has blocked a number of Russian financial institutions pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy (see FAQ 966 ). In addition, all… Read more

1081. Am I required to show official documentation that I’ve closed my account at a Russian financial institution blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 in order to take advantage of Russia-related General License (GL) 50?

1081 … No. GL 50 authorizes individuals with accounts at Russian financial institutions blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024 to unblock and lump sum transfer funds to an account at a non-designated financial institution. Individuals do not need to provide official documentation proving they have closed… Read more

1083. What actions were taken on September 15, 2022 related to certain quantum computing services?

1083 … On September 15, 2022, the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Department of State, issued a determination pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 , “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services,” prohibiting the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or… Read more

1084. For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071, “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services” (“the determination”), what is meant by the term “quantum computing services”?

1084 … For the purposes of the determination , OFAC anticipates publishing regulations defining this term to include any of the following services when related to quantum computing, quantum computers, electronic assemblies thereof, or cryogenic refrigeration systems related to quantum computing: … Read more

422. How do I get a copy of one or more of OFAC’s other sanctions lists (in addition to the Specially Designated Nationals list)?

422 … OFAC maintains other sanctions lists in addition to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list . The names on these lists may also appear on the SDN list when such targets have a blocking provision associated with them. However, when the treatment of sanctions targets is unique and stops… Read more

83. How are OFAC's delimited files structured?

83 … All of OFAC's delimited files are described in OFAC's SDN data file specification guide and non-SDN data specification guide . In addition, OFAC published a tutorial on how to construct a basic relational database using OFAC’s delimited list files … How are OFAC's delimited files …

81. What is the delimiter in OFAC's delimited files?

81 … The delimiter varies based upon the file type. Files that end in .CSV have a comma delimiter. Files that end in .FF have a fixed width delimiter. … What is the delimiter in OFAC's delimited files? …

88. I am a developer looking to design an automated process that will download OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list and other sanctions lists without human intervention. How can I do this given that changes to the sanctions lists can be sporadic?

88 … OFAC cannot give specific advice on how to design an automated system for downloading its sanctions list data. Many institutions solve this problem by setting up a scheduled download of the SDN List and other sanctions lists . These firms conduct their own risk assessments and decide how often… Read more

89. I am a database administrator at a financial institution and am responsible for keeping my company's sanctions list data current. Are OFAC's sanctions lists comprehensive or do I need to download some kind of supplement to the list every time there is an update?

89 … The SDN list and OFAC's non-SDN Consolidated lists are comprehensive. Database administrators can overwrite any old data in their systems with the latest versions of the list's data files, thus ensuring that their database is current … I am a database administrator at a financial institution… Read more

90. Do you offer a Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) changes file or "delta file" in a data format? Do you offer delta files for OFAC's other sanctions lists?

90 … Yes, OFAC offers a delta file as part of its Sanctions List Service (SLS) . While this delta file format is used by OFAC to update its sanctions lists on SLS, members of the public may use this file as well. OFAC also records changes to the SDN list and other sanctions lists in human-… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence