Frequently Asked Questions

1164. What prohibitions has OFAC implemented with respect to diamonds and diamond jewelry under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions program?

1164 … On March 11, 2022, the Biden Administration issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14068 , prohibiting the importation into the United States of non-industrial diamonds of Russian Federation origin. See FAQs 1019 and 1027 for the definition of Russian Federation origin and non-industrial diamonds,… Read more

1165. What does the determination “Prohibitions Related to Imports of Certain Categories of Diamonds” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14068 (the “Diamonds Determination”), prohibit?

1165 … The Diamonds Determination prohibits the importation and entry into the United States of two categories of diamonds, effective on the dates indicated below. Effective March 01, 2024, the Diamonds Determination prohibits the importation of non-industrial diamonds that were mined, extracted,… Read more

1166. What does the determination “Prohibitions Related to Imports of Diamond Jewelry and Unsorted Diamonds of Russian Federation Origin and Diamond Jewelry and Unsorted Diamonds Exported From the Russian Federation” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14068 (the “Diamond Jewelry and Unsorted Diamonds Determination”), prohibit?

1166 … The Diamond Jewelry and Unsorted Diamonds Determination prohibits the importation and entry into the United States of diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds of Russian Federation origin, as well as diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds that were exported from the Russian Federation. For… Read more

1167. How does Venezuela General License (GL) 45B differ from Venezuela GL 45A?

1167 … On February 29, 2024, OFAC issued Venezuela GL 45B , “Authorizing Certain Repatriation Transactions Involving Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos, S.A.,” which narrowed the scope of transactions previously authorized by GL 45A. GL 45B no longer authorizes… Read more

1168. What action did Treasury take on April 12, 2024 with regards to aluminum, copper, and nickel of Russian Federation origin?

1168 … On December 6, 2023 , and February 24, 2024 , the G7 Leaders issued statements signaling their intent to reduce Russia’s revenues from metals. On April 12, 2024, in coordination with the United Kingdom, the United States issued two new prohibitions that will further disrupt the revenue that… Read more

1169. What is prohibited by the determination “Prohibitions on Certain Services for the Acquisition of Aluminum, Copper, or Nickel of Russian Federation Origin” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 (the “Metals Services Determination”)?

1169 … The Metals Services Determination prohibits the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of the following categories of services to any person located in the Russian Federation: warranting… Read more

1170. For the purposes of the determination “Prohibitions Related to Imports of Aluminum, Copper, and Nickel of Russian Federation Origin” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14068, as amended by E.O. 14114, (the “Metals Import Determination”) and the determination “Prohibitions on Certain Services for the Acquisition of Aluminum, Copper, or Nickel of Russian Federation Origin” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 (the “Metals Services Determination”), what is meant by the terms “aluminum,” “nickel,” and “copper”?

1170 … For the purposes of the Metals Import Determination and the Metals Services Determination , OFAC anticipates publishing regulations defining “aluminum,” “nickel,” and “copper” to include articles or products defined at the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)… Read more

1171. Do the determinations “Prohibitions Related to Imports of Aluminum, Copper, and Nickel of Russian Federation Origin” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14068, as amended by E.O. 14114, (the “Metals Import Determination”) and the determination “Prohibitions on Certain Services for the Acquisition of Aluminum, Copper, or Nickel of Russian Federation Origin” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 (the “Metals Services Determination”) apply to aluminum, copper, or nickel that has been incorporated or substantially transformed into other products outside of the Russian Federation?

1171 … No. FAQ 1019 clarifies that, for purposes of E.O. 14068 , as amended by E.O. 14114 , and the Metals Services Determination , the term “Russian Federation origin” excludes “any Russian Federation origin good that has been incorporated or substantially transformed into a foreign-made product… Read more

1198. In light of the designation of Shreya Life Sciences Private Limited (Shreya), are U.S. persons authorized to engage in transactions related to pharmaceutical and other humanitarian-related goods involving Shreya and its subsidiaries?

1198 … Yes. As a general matter, humanitarian trade is not the target of U.S. sanctions. OFAC has issued Russia-related General License (GL) 6D , which authorizes, among other things, certain transactions related to the production, manufacturing, sale, transport, or provision of medicine and… Read more

1199. Can a claim be paid under a policy issued to a blocked individual or entity if the payment is to an innocent third-party (for example, the injured party in an automobile accident)?

1199 … The insurance company should contact OFAC for additional guidance. OFAC will work with you on the specifics of the case. Although authorizing payments to blocked persons is rarely aligned with the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives of OFAC sanctions, circumstances may weigh… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence