Frequently Asked Questions

834. What does General License 37 authorize?

On June 18, 2020, OFAC designated pursuant to E.O. 13850 , among other entities and individuals, two entities for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy and identified two vessels owned by these entities as blocked property. Concurrent with this action, OFAC issued General License (… Read more

835. What does Global Magnitsky General License 2A authorize?

On July 31, 2020, OFAC designated, pursuant to E.O. 13818 , the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) for its connection to serious human rights abuse in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Concurrent with this action, OFAC issued Global Magnitsky General License (GL) 2 . GL… Read more

836. What sanctions are applicable to Sudan and the Government of Sudan?

The national emergency declared with respect to the Government of Sudan in Executive Order (E.O.) 13067 of November 3, 1997 — as expanded upon in scope by subsequent E.O.s — remains in effect. As detailed below, certain sanctions have been imposed and others have been lifted pursuant to that… Read more

837. What did the September 24, 2020 amendment to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) do?

Effective September 24, 2020, OFAC issued an amendment to the CACR restricting imports of Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products, as well as specific categories of authorized travel to Cuba related to professional meetings or conferences and certain public performances or other events, and also… Read more

838. What is the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List and how do I know if I am authorized to lodge or pay for lodging at a property in Cuba?

No person subject to U.S. jurisdiction may lodge, pay for lodging, or make any reservation for or on behalf of a third party to lodge, at any property that the Secretary of State has identified as a property in Cuba that is owned or controlled by: the Cuban government; a prohibited official of the… Read more

839. Are authorized travelers who have initiated travel arrangements prior to the addition of a property on the State Department’s Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List required to cancel their Cuba-related travel plans if their travel arrangements involve lodging at a listed property?

Consistent with the Administration’s interest in avoiding negative impacts on Americans for arranging lawful travel to Cuba, any existing travel-related arrangements that include lodging at properties in Cuba identified on the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List will continue to be permitted,… Read more

840. If an official of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN), does that mean that the HKSAR government is blocked? What are the prohibitions on U.S. persons dealing with a designated HKSAR government official?

The designation of an official of the Government of the HKSAR does not itself block the HKSAR government or any government agency where the SDN is an official or otherwise exercises control. Accordingly, engaging in a routine interaction with an agency in which an SDN is an official, but which… Read more

842. What does General License L (GL L) authorize with respect to the financial sector of Iran and Iranian financial institutions (Iranian FIs) now sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902?

GL L authorizes under E.O. 13902 all transactions and activities involving Iranian FIs blocked pursuant to E.O. 13902 that are authorized, exempt, or otherwise not prohibited under the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR). E.O. 13902, which was issued on January 10, 2020, is not… Read more

843. I'm a U.S. person that relied on general or specific licenses issued pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) to conduct humanitarian-related or other transactions and activities prior to the identification of the financial sector of Iran and sanctioning of a number of Iranian financial institutions (Iranian FIs) under E.O. 13902. Is any further authorization needed to conduct such transactions following these actions?

No. General License (GL) L extends authorizations provided through specific and general licenses issued under the ITSR to apply to transactions and activities involving Iranian FIs blocked pursuant to E.O. 13902 . Further authorization from OFAC beyond GL L is not required under E.O. 13902, so long… Read more

844. Do non-U.S. persons risk exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions for engaging in humanitarian-related transactions, or other activities that would be authorized under the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations and General License (GL) L if engaged in by a U.S. person, involving Iranian financial institutions (Iranian FIs) sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 13902?

No. Non-U.S. persons generally do not risk exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions for engaging in the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices to Iran, as such transactions are generally subject to exceptions in E.O. 13902 and other applicable sanctions authorities. … Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence