Frequently Asked Questions

954. Are purchases of fuel, payment for telecommunications services, payment for security services, payment of rent, and payment of utilities by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) considered ordinarily incident and necessary to authorized activities under Afghanistan-related General Licenses (GLs) 14, 15, and 19? Are such transactions covered by Afghanistan-related GL 20?

… or the Haqqani Network owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest. OFAC also issued GL 18 to authorize all transactions that are … or the Haqqani Network owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a… Read more

921. What is the purpose of Executive Order (E.O.) of August 20, 2021, “Blocking Property with Respect to Certain Russian Energy Export Pipelines”?

… generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Additionally, entities owned 50 percent or more, individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, by one or more … generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Additionally, entities owned… Read more

916. What does Executive Order (E.O.) of August 9, 2021, “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus,” do?

… authorized by OFAC or otherwise exempt from regulation. Additionally, any entities owned 50 percent or more, individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, by one or more … authorized by OFAC or otherwise exempt from regulation. Additionally, any entities owned… Read more

1191. On September 12, 2024, OFAC designated Ly Yong Phat (Ly), L.Y.P. Group Co., LTD (L.Y.P. Group), and the following entities owned by L.Y.P. Group under the Global Magnitsky sanctions authority: O-Smach Resort, Garden City Hotel, Koh Kong Resort, and Phnom Penh Hotel. Can I continue to engage in transactions or other dealings with other entities owned by Ly or L.Y.P. Group that are not listed on OFAC's Specially Designation Nationals and Blocked Person List (SDN List) without facing sanctions risk?

… License (GL) 8 authorizing U.S. persons to engage in all transactions with any entity owned 50% or more by Ly or the L.Y.P. Group that is not listed on SDN List. Non-U.S. persons may engage … License (GL) 8 authorizing U.S. persons to engage in all transactions with any entity… Read more

992. What are examples of activities authorized by Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 20, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan”?

… or the Haqqani Network owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest, or to any blocked individual who is in a leadership role of a … or the Haqqani Network owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a… 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?

… Bank of Iran, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), or any entity in which NIOC owns a 50 percent or greater interest, that are consistent with GL 8A . Additionally, non-U.S. persons … Bank of Iran, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), or any entity in which NIOC owns a… Read more

560. Are my OFAC compliance obligations the same, regardless of whether a transaction is denominated in digital currency or traditional fiat currency?

… named on OFAC’s SDN List or any entity owned in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons, and that they do not engage in trade or other … named on OFAC’s SDN List or any entity owned in the aggregate, directly or indirectly,… Read more

854. What does General License 38 authorize?

… and activities involving CEIEC, or any entity in which CEIEC owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, Blocked CEIEC Entities), through 12:01 a.m. eastern … and activities involving CEIEC, or any entity in which CEIEC owns, directly or… Read more

546. In section 10(a)(2)(A) of the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (SSIDES), as amended by section 228 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), and implemented in § 589.201(a)(6)(vii)(B)(1) of the Ukraine-/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations (URSR), are persons “subject to sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to the Russian Federation” limited to persons listed on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, or does it also include persons identified on the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (SSI) List, Non-SDN Menu-Based Sanctions (NS-MBS) List, or other OFAC sanctions lists?

… the authorities listed above, and associated persons subject to sanctions pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule . Date Updated: April 29, 2022 … the authorities listed above, and associated persons subject to sanctions pursuant to OFAC’s 50 percent rule . Date… Read more

558. Are news reporting organizations and journalists authorized to conduct activities in North Korea?

… and informational materials are exempt under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b) (IEEPA), these exemptions do not apply to transactions prohibited pursuant to … and informational materials are exempt under the International Emergency Economic… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence