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Hong Kong-Related Sanctions

Hong Kong-Related Sanctions Program Changes

 

CHANGES TO OFAC'S HONG KONG-RELATED SANCTIONS PROGRAM AS OF JULY 14, 2026 

 

The national emergency declared in Executive Order (E.O.) 13936 of July 14, 2020, "The President's Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization," has expired. The expiration of the national emergency declared in E.O. 13936 does not repeal or otherwise affect the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 (HKHRDA) or the Hong Kong Autonomy Act (HKAA) of 2020. Those statutes remain in effect.

 

Following the expiration of the national emergency declared in E.O. 13936, OFAC has removed from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List), persons designated pursuant to E.O. 13936 whose property had been blocked solely pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Persons that remain sanctioned pursuant to the HKAA have been added to OFAC's Non-SDN Menu-Based Sanctions List (NS-MBS List) and assets blocked prior to July 14, 2026, remain blocked.

 

In addition to the above changes to OFAC's sanctions lists, OFAC intends to publish an amendment to the Hong Kong-Related Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 585, in a future Federal Register publication to reflect the expiration of the national emergency. 

 

In light of the expiration of the national emergency declared in E.O. 13936, OFAC is also reviewing relevant FAQs and guidance associated with our Hong-Kong-related sanctions program and will update this website in the near term.

Sign up for Hong Kong-Related Sanctions e-mail updates.

OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its sanctions programs and related policies. The links below send the user to OFAC's FAQ pages.

OFAC issues interpretive guidance on specific issues related to the sanctions programs it administers. These interpretations of OFAC policy are sometimes published in response to a public request for guidance or may be released proactively by OFAC in order to address a complex topic.

It may be in your and the U.S. government's interest to authorize particular economic activity related to the Hong Kong-Related Sanctions. Certain activities related to the Hong Kong-Related Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.

Certain activities related to the Hong Kong-Related Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Below OFAC has issued guidance and statements on specific licensing policies as they relate to the Hong Kong-Related Sanctions.

  • Licenses for Legal Fees and Costs - Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds for Payment of Legal Fees and Costs Incurred in Challenging the Blocking of U.S. Persons in Administrative or Civil Proceedings
  • Entities Owned By Blocked Persons - Guidance On Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property And Interests In Property Are Blocked

OFAC occasionally transmits reports to the Congress regarding Hong Kong-Related Sanctions.

The Hong Kong-Related Sanctions program represents the implementation of multiple legal authorities. Some of these authorities are in the form of an executive order issued by the President. Other authorities are public laws (statutes) passed by The Congress. These authorities are further codified by OFAC in its regulations which are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Modifications to these regulations are posted in the Federal Register.

  • 13936 The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization (Effective Date - July 14, 2020)

  • 87 FR 78484-22 - Publication of Humanitarian Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses (Nongovernmental Organizations, Agricultural, and Medicine)
  • 87 FR 78470-22 - Publication of United States Government and International Organizations Official Business Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses
  • 86 FR 3793-21 - Hong Kong-Related Sanctions Regulations