Frequently Asked Questions

229 … No. You may send U.S.-origin food or medicine to Syria without a specific license from OFAC. The Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), which maintains jurisdiction over the export of most items to Syria, does not require a license for the export of U.S.-origin food… Read more

231 … Yes.  U.S. NGOs may provide services to Syria in support of humanitarian projects in Syria as authorized by § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations.  NGOs carrying out activities funded by the U.S. government, as described in § 542.522, or international organizations, as described in §… Read more

294 … Persons determined to be part of Iran’s energy, shipping, or shipbuilding sectors, or a port operator in Iran for purposes of IFCA section 1244(c) will be identified as such on the SDN List . Knowingly providing certain significant support to persons determined to be part of Iran’s energy,… Read more

295 … We anticipate that regulations to be promulgated will define goods and services used in connection with Iran’s energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors to include: a. Energy Sector: In the case of Iran’s energy sector, goods or services that contribute to, Iran’s ability to develop its… Read more

227 … Yes.  Pursuant to 31 CFR § 542.512 , U.S. persons may continue to send noncommercial, personal remittances to friends or family in Syria, provided the transfer is not by, to, or through the Government of Syria or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked.   Syria… Read more

296 … If a non-Iranian vessel is transporting non-sanctionable goods to or from Iran, the bunkering of that non-Iranian vessel in a country other than Iran — and related payments for these bunkering services — will not be subject to sanctions, only if (1) the transaction either does not involve U.S… Read more

205 … U.S. persons may donate funds to and raise funds on behalf of U.S. and third-country NGOs that engage in authorized activities in Syria (please see § 542.516 of the Syrian Sanctions Regulations for the full list of authorized activities).  U.S. persons can also donate humanitarian goods like… Read more

232 … No.  Without a specific license, U.S. persons are not permitted to transfer financial donations directly to Syria or to NGOs in Syria.  If you wish to donate funds in support of humanitarian work in Syria, you may do so by giving funds to U.S. or third-country NGOs to support non-commercial… Read more

345 … In general, the payment requirements under 31 CFR § 560.540 are the same as for all other general licenses under the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations ( ITSR ).  Section 560.540(c) of the ITSR provides that U.S. depository institutions or U.S. registered brokers or dealers in… Read more

691 … If a non-Iranian vessel is transporting sanctionable goods to or from Iran (including, but not limited to, petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products from Iran; goods used in connection with the automotive sector of Iran; or iron, iron products, aluminum, aluminum products,… Read more