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IMPORTANT ADVISORIES AND INFORMATION
- Cracking Down on Third-Party Intermediaries Used to Evade Russia-Related Sanctions and Export Controls (March 2, 2023)
- OFAC-BIS Alert: Impact of Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia’s Military-Industrial Complex (October 14, 2022)
- Fact Sheet: Russia Sanctions and Agricultural Trade (July 2022)
- Fact Sheet: Preserving Agricultural Trade, Access to Communication, and Other Support to Those Impacted by Russia’s War Against Ukraine (April 2022)
Specific Guidance on the Russian harmful foreign activities sanctions
OFAC offers guidance on a variety of subjects related to the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions. Most of this guidance is specific in nature.
Price Cap Policies:
- Possible Evasion of the Russian Oil Price Cap Alert (April 17, 2023)
- OFAC Guidance on Implementation of the Price Cap Policy for Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin (February 3, 2023)
- OFAC Preliminary Guidance on Implementation of the Price Cap Policy for Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin (December 30, 2022)
- Price Cap on Crude Oil of Russian Federation Origin (December 5, 2022)
Interpretive Guidance
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its sanctions programs and related policies. The link below sends the user to the entire list of OFAC's FAQs.
Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Directives
- Directive 1 - Under Executive Order Of April 15, 2021 Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities Of The Government Of The Russian Federation (Superseded by Directive 1A)
- Directive 1A - Prohibitions Related to Certain Sovereign Debt of the Russian Federation (February 22, 2022)
- Directive 2 - Prohibitions Related to Correspondent or Payable-Through Accounts and Processing of Transactions Involving Certain Foreign Financial Institutions (February 24, 2022)
- Directive 3 - Prohibitions Related to New Debt and Equity of Certain Russia-related Entities (February 24, 2022)
- Directive 4 - Prohibitions Related to Transactions Involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation (May 19, 2023)
Applying for a Specific OFAC License
It may be in your and the U.S. government’s interest to authorize particular economic activity related to the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions. Certain activities related to the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.
- Apply for an OFAC License Online - Authorization from OFAC to engage in a transaction that otherwise would be prohibited.
Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy
Certain activities related to the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities 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 Russian Harmful Foreign Activities 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
General Licenses
OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions. General licenses allow all US persons to engage in the activity described in the general license without needing to apply for a specific license.
- Russia-related General License 1A - Authorizing Certain Activities Involving Federal State Budgetary Institution Marine Rescue Service (August 20, 2021)
- Russia-related General License 2 - Authorizing Certain Servicing Transactions Involving State Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Vnesheconombank (February 22, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 5 - Official Business of Certain International Organizations and Entities (February 24, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 6C - Transactions Related to Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts and Components, or Software Updates, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, or Clinical Trials (January 17, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 7A - Authorizing Overflight Payments, Emergency Landings, and Air Ambulance Services (May 5, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 8G - Authorizing Transactions Related to Energy (May 5, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 13E - Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024 (May 19, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 14 - Authorizing Certain Clearing and Settlement Transactions Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024 (March 2, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 18 - Authorizing US Dollar-Denominated Banknote Noncommercial, Personal Remittances Prohibited by Executive Order of March 11, 2022 (March 11, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 19 - Authorizing Transactions Related to Personal Maintenance of US Individuals Located in the Russian Federation Prohibited by Executive Order of March 11, 2022 (March 11, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 20 - Authorizing Third-Country Diplomatic and Consular Funds Transfers (March 24, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 25C - Authorizing Transactions Related to Telecommunications and Certain Internet-Based Communications (July 14, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 27 - Certain Transactions in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations’ Activities (April 19, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 31 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights (May 5, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 38A - Authorizing Transactions Related to Pension Payments (August 19, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 40C - Civil Aviation Safety (November 14, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 42 - Authorizing Certain Transactions with the Federal Security Service (June 28, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 44 - Authorizing the Export or Reexport of Certain Accounting Services to U.S. Individuals Located in the Russian Federation (July 14, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 46 - Authorizing Transactions in Support of an Auction Process to Settle Certain Credit Derivative Transactions Prohibited by Executive Order 14071 (July 22, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 50 - Authorizing the Closing of Individual Accounts at Financial Institutions Blocked Pursuant to Executive Order 14024 (August 19, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 52 - Journalistic Activities and Establishment of News Bureaus (September 15, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 53 - Authorizing Transactions for Diplomatic Missions of the Russian Federation Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024 (November 10, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 54A - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving VEON Ltd. or VEON Holdings B.V. Prohibited by Executive Order 14071 (January 17, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 55 - Authorizing Certain Services Related to Sakhalin-2 (November 22, 2022)
- Russia-related General License 56A - Authorizing Certain Services with Respect to the European Union (February 3, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 57A - Authorizing Certain Services Related to Vessel Emergencies (February 3, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 62 - Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Holdingovaya Kompaniya Metalloinvest AO, MegaFon PAO, Limited Liability Company USM Telecom, or Akkermann Cement Ca Limited Liability Company (April 12, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 63 - Authorizing Transactions Related to Debt or Equity of, or Derivative Contracts Involving, Holdingovaya Kompaniya Metalloinvest AO (April 12, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 64 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Kommersant (April 12, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 65 - Authorizing Transactions Related to Telecommunications and Certain Internet-based Communications Involving MegaFon PAO or Digital Invest Limited Liability Company (April 12, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 66 - Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Public Joint Stock Company Polyus (May 19, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 67 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Debt or Equity of, or Derivative Contracts Involving, Public Joint Stock Company Polyus (May 19, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 68 - Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Certain Universities and Institutes (May 19, 2023)
- Russia-related General License 69 - Authorizing Certain Debt Securities Servicing Transactions Involving International Investment Bank (May 31, 2023)
- Archive of Expired General Licenses
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE RUSSIAN HARMFUL FOREIGN ACTIVITIES SANCTIONS
The Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions program may represent the implementation of multiple legal authorities. Some of these authorities are in the form of executive orders 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.
Executive Orders
- 14071 - Prohibiting New Investment In And Certain Services To The Russian Federation In Response To Continued Russian Federation Aggression (April 6, 2022)
- 14068 - Prohibiting Certain Imports, Exports, and New Investment with Respect to Continued Russian Federation Aggression (March 11, 2022)
- 14066 - Prohibiting Certain Imports And New Investments With Respect To Continued Russian Federation Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty And Territorial Integrity Of Ukraine (March 8, 2022)
- 14039 - Blocking Property with Respect to Certain Russian Energy Export Pipelines (August 20, 2021)
- 14024 - Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities Of The Government Of The Russian Federation (April 15, 2021)
Determinations
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14024 (Effective May 19, 2023)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 14071 (Effective June 18, 2023)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14024 (Effective February 24, 2023)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii), 1(b), and 5 of Executive Order 14071 (Effective February 5, 2023)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 14071 (Effective February 5, 2023)
- Determination Pursuant to Sections 1(a)(ii), 1(b), and 5 of Executive Order 14071 (Effective December 5, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to sections 1(a)(ii), 1(b), and 5 of Executive Order 14071 (Effective December 5, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14024 (Effective September 15, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 14071 (Effective September 15, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14068 (Effective June 28, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14024 (Effective May 8, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of Executive Order 14071 (Effective May 8, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021 (Effective March 31, 2022)
- Determination Pursuant to Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021 (Effective February 22, 2022)
Statutes
- Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019 (PEESA)
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 USC §§ 1701-1706
- National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 USC§§ 1601-1651
Code of Federal Regulations
- 31 CFR Part 587 - Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations
Federal Register Notices
- 88 FR 34748-23 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8G
- 88 FR 25279-23 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 62, 63, 64, and 65
- 88 FR 16889-23 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8F, 13D, 60, and 61
- 88 FR 16887-23 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8E,
58, and 59 - 88 FR 13316-23 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 56A and 57A
- 88 FR 9752-23 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 6C, 28B, and 54A
- 87 FR 79803-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8D and 40C
- 87 FR 79255-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Determination - Price Cap on Crude Oil of Russian Federation Origin
- 87 FR 76931-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Determination and Web General Licenses 55, 56, and 57
- 87 FR 76930-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General License 54
- 87 FR 76930-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General License 13C
- 87 FR 73637-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General License 53
- 87 FR 62006-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Determinations
- 87 FR 62005-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General License 13B
- 87 FR 56590-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Determination - Prohibitions Related to Imports of Gold of Russian Federation Origin
- 87 FR 55279-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 14, 15, 16, 17, 17A, 18, 19, and 20
- 87 FR 55276-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 21, 21A, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30
- 87 FR 55274-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7
- 87 FR 55267-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 11, and 12
- 87 FR 54897-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 38A and 50
- 87 FR 54894-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 40A, 43A, 47, 48, and 49
- 87 FR 54892-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 40B, 47A, and 48A
- 87 FR 54890-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8, 8A, 8B, and 8C
- 87 FR 50570-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 6, 6A, 6B, 25C, 30A, and 44
- 87 FR 47348-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 13 and 13A
- 87 FR 47347-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 45 and 46
- 87 FR 47344-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43
- 87 FR 40441-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 25B, 36, 37, and 38
- 87 FR 34169-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 25A, 33, 34, and 35
- 87 FR 32307-22 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations Determinations
- 87 FR 32303-22 - Publication of Financial Services Sectoral Determination and Directives 1A, 2, 3, and 4 Under Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021
- 87 FR 11297-22 - Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations
- 86 FR 35867-21 - Publication of Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Directive 1