Frequently Asked Questions

1149. What sanctions can be imposed on a foreign financial institution (FFI) that engaged in conduct described in section 11 of Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended by E.O. 14114? What are the obligations of U.S. financial institutions?

1149 … Pursuant to subsection 11(b) of E.O. 14024 , as amended, OFAC may block FFIs or prohibit the opening or prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintenance of correspondent accounts or payable-through accounts in the United States for such FFIs. For FFIs for which the opening or… Read more

1150. What does determination of December 22, 2023, “Determination Pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) of Executive Order (E.O. 14024)” (Russia Critical Items Determination) do?

1150 … The Russia Critical Items Determination issued pursuant to subsection 11(a)(ii) of E.O. 14024 identifies certain items that support Russia’s military-industrial base. Foreign financial institutions (FFIs) may be sanctioned for having conducted or facilitated any significant transaction or… Read more

1151. How does OFAC intend to interpret the following terms in Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended by E.O. 14114: “foreign financial institution,” “Russia’s military-industrial base,” and “significant transaction or transactions”?

1151 … OFAC expects to promulgate regulations that define or interpret these terms as follows: Foreign Financial Institution: As defined in subsection 11(f) of E.O. 14024 , foreign financial institution means any foreign entity that is engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making, granting… Read more

1152. Could foreign financial institutions (FFIs) that engage in transactions in non-USD currencies be sanctioned under section 11 of Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended by E.O. 14114?

1152 … Yes. The prohibitions and targeting authorities of amended section 11 of E.O. 14024 apply with respect to any currency. For example, an FFI that processes a significant transaction denominated in a non-USD local currency for a person blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024 or an FFI that processes… Read more

1154. How does Executive Order (E.O.) 14114 of December 22, 2023 amend E.O. 14068, “Prohibiting Certain Imports, Exports, and New Investment with Respect to Continued Russian Federation Aggression”?

1154 … E.O. 14114 of December 22, 2023 amends E.O. 14068 to provide for additional prohibitions on the importation and entry into the United States of certain products. It does so by maintaining the existing E.O. 14068 importation prohibitions in subsection 1(a)(i)(A) and identifying in… Read more

1155. What does the determination of December 22, 2023, “Prohibitions Related to Imports of Certain Categories of Fish, Seafood, and Preparations Thereof,” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14068, as amended by E.O. 14114 of December 22, 2023, (Seafood Determination) prohibit?

1155 … The Seafood Determination issued pursuant to subsection 1(a)(i)(B) of E.O. 14068 , as amended, prohibits the importation and entry into the United States, including importation for admission into a foreign trade zone located in the United States, of salmon, cod, pollock, or crab that was… Read more

1156. I have a shipment of a certain product(s) containing the types of seafood listed in the determination of December 22, 2023 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14068, as amended by E.O. 14114 of December 22, 2023, (Seafood Determination) en route to the United States that was contracted prior to December 22, 2023. Can I complete such import into the United States? Can I find a new buyer for this shipment and/or re-direct the shipment to a country other than the United States?

1156 … Individuals and entities may import the listed types of seafood, for a limited time, into the United States subject to the conditions of General License (GL) 83 . GL 83 authorizes the importation into the United States, through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, February 21, 2024, of salmon… Read more

1121. What does Global Magnitksy General License 7, Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Tabacalera del Este, S.A. or Tabacos USA Inc. Pursuant to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, authorize?

1121 … Global Magnitsky General License 7 authorizes certain transactions involving the blocked entities Tabacos USA Inc. (Tabacos) and Tabacalera del Este S.A. (Tabesa) (or any entity in which Tabesa or Tabacos owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater… Read more

1122. Certain transactions related to telecommunications and certain internet-based communications are already authorized by Russia-related General License (GL) 25D. What additional transactions does Russia-related GL 65 authorize?

1122 … The United States generally supports the free flow of information globally as facilitated by telecommunications and certain internet-based communications. Accordingly, GL 25D authorizes — with certain exceptions and exclusions — (i) all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the… Read more

1123. In Crystallex Int’l Corp. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 17-mc-00151 (D. Del.), the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware has entered a Sale Procedures Order with respect to certain shares in PDV Holding (PDVH) to satisfy a U.S. district court judgment confirming an arbitral award against Venezuela. May persons participate in or comply with steps relating to a judicial sale of such shares?

1123 … OFAC will not take enforcement action against any individuals or entities for participating in, facilitating, or complying with the prefatory steps set out in the court’s Sale Procedures Order, or for engaging in transactions that are ordinarily incident and necessary to participating in,… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

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