Sudan and Darfur Sanctions

The national emergency declared with respect to the Government of Sudan in Executive Order (E.O.) 13067 of November 3, 1997 — as expanded upon in scope by subsequent E.O.s — remains in effect. As detailed below, certain sanctions have been imposed and others have been lifted pursuant to that national emergency, in response to developments in Sudan.

The following sanctions authorities are in effect with respect to Sudan:

E.O. 14098 of May 4, 2023, among other things, authorizes the imposition of sanctions on foreign persons to address the situation in Sudan following the military’s seizure of power in October 2021 and the outbreak of inter-service fighting in April 2023, and to support a transition to democracy and civilian transitional government in Sudan.
E.O. 13400 of April 26, 2006 imposes sanctions on individuals and entities in connection with the conflict in Darfur and, in part, implements sanctions with respect to that conflict adopted by the United Nations Security Council.

The following sanctions authorities are no longer in effect with respect to Sudan:

Effective October 12, 2017, sections 1 and 2 of E.O. 13067 of November 3, 1997 and all of E.O. 13412 of October 13, 2006 were revoked, pursuant to E.O. 13761 of January 13, 2017, as amended by E.O. 13804 of July 11, 2017. To reflect this revocation of authorities, OFAC removed the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 538 (SSR) from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) on June 29, 2018. U.S. persons are not broadly prohibited from engaging in transactions with respect to Sudan or the Government of Sudan that were previously prohibited solely by the SSR. In addition, following the revocation of sections 1 and 2 of E.O. 13067 and E.O. 13412, persons designated solely pursuant to the blocking authorities of E.O. 13067 or E.O. 13412 were removed from OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List).
The determination regarding Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism was rescinded on December 14, 2020. Accordingly, Sudan is no longer subject to prohibitions under the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 596 (TLGSR), or section 906(a)(1) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7205).
Note that the revocation of the aforementioned sanctions authorities does not affect past, present, or future OFAC enforcement investigations or actions associated with any apparent violations of the SSR that occurred prior to October 12, 2017 or of the TLGSR prior to December 14, 2020.

IMPORTANT ADVISORIES

Risks and Considerations for U.S. Businesses Operating in Sudan (May 23, 2022)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.

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.

Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of U.S. Sanctions Laws (January 12, 2017)
Guidance on Certain Publishing Activities (October 28, 2016)
Interpretive Guidance - Prohibitions Imposed by Executive Order 13412; Transshipments of Goods and Financial Transactions Conducted through Certain Areas of Sudan (November 17, 2006)
Index of Interpretative Guidance - Interpretative Rulings on OFAC Policy

APPLYING FOR A SPECIFIC OFAC LICENSE

It may be in your and the U.S. government’s interest to authorize particular economic activity that otherwise would be prohibited.

A specific license may be required if a proposed transaction implicates prohibitions under OFAC-administered sanctions related to Sudan. 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 prohibited by OFAC-administered sanctions related to Sudan may be authorized by OFAC. OFAC has issued guidance and statements on specific licensing policies, below, as they relate to Sudan-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

GENERAL LICENSES

OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize certain activities that would otherwise be prohibited by OFAC-administered sanctions related to Sudan. General licenses allow all U.S. persons to engage in the activity described in the general license without needing to apply for a specific license.

Sudan General License Number 1 - Official Business of Certain International Organizations and Entities (June 1, 2023)
Sudan General License Number 2 - Certain Transactions in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations’ Activities (June 1, 2023)
Sudan General License Number 3 - Transactions Related to the Provision of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts and Components, or Software Updates, and the Extraction, Processing, Transport, Sale, or Distribution of Water in Sudan (June 1, 2023)
Sudan General License Number 4 - Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Defense Industries System or Al Junaid Multi Activities Co Ltd. (June 1, 2023)
Archive of Expired General Licenses

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE SUDAN AND DARFUR SANCTIONS

The Sudan-related sanctions 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 published in the Federal Register. In addition to all of these authorities, OFAC may also implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) with regard to Sudan, including Darfur.

Executive Orders

14098 - Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition (May 4, 2023)
13804 - Allowing Additional Time for Recognizing Positive Actions by the Government of Sudan and Amending Executive Order 13671 (July 11, 2017)
13761 - Recognizing Positive Actions by the Government of Sudan and Providing for the Revocation of Certain Sudan-Related Sanctions (January 13, 2017)
13412 - Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With the Government of Sudan (October 13, 2006)
13400 - Blocking Property of Persons in Connection With the Conflict in Sudan's Darfur Region (Effective Date - April 27, 2006)
13067 - Blocking Sudanese Government Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Sudan (Effective Date - November 4, 1997)

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

31 CFR Part 546 - Sudan Stabilization Sanctions Regulations

Federal Register Notices

89 FR 15744-53 - Renaming the Darfur Sanctions Regulations as the Sudan Stabilization Sanctions Regulations; Amendments implementing Executive Order 14098, "Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition," issued on May 04, 2023
87 FR 78484-22 - Addition of General Licenses for Certain Transactions of Nongovernmental Organizations and Related to Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement arts and Components, or Software Updates for Medical devices
87 FR 78470-22 - Addition of General Licenses for the Official Business of the United States Government and Certain International Organizations and Entities and Updates to the 50 Percent Rule
86 FR 27273-21 - Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations: Amendment to implement the rescission of the designation of Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
85 FR 82565-20 - Rescission of Determination Regarding Sudan
83 FR 30539-18 - Removal of the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations and Amendment of the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations
82 FR 4793-17 - Amendment to the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (SSR) adding a new general license authorizing all transactions prohibited under the SSR
80 FR 8531-15 - Adding a General License pertaining to certain software, hardware, and services incident to personal communications
76 FR 76617-11 - Amendments to authorize activities relating to oil and transshipment with respect to the Republic of South Sudan
76 FR 63197-11 - Amendments to authorize certain consular funds transfers and the transportation of human remains
76 FR 63191-11 - Amendments to authorize the exportation or reexportation of food items
75 FR 10997-10 - Amendments to authorize certain types of exportation
74 FR 61030-09 - Changes to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 ("TSRA")
74 FR 27433-09 - Amendment to expand the authorization of certain imports
74 FR 25430-09 - Darfur Sanctions Regulations - New regulations to implement Executive Order 13400
72 FR 61513-07 - Amendment to implement Executive Order 13412
72 FR 50047-07 - Revision to the general license for certain publishing activities
72 FR 15831-07 - Amendment related to the movement of goods via diplomatic pouch
72 FR 12980-07 - Clarification of licenses for the exportation of agricultural commodities, medicine and medical devices
71 FR 29251-06 - Revisions to IEEPA made by the Combating Terrorism Financing Act of 2005
70 FR 34060-05 - Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations and Sudanese Sanctions Regulations - Amendment to issue two general licenses
69 FR 75468-04 - Revision to authorize certain publishing activities
66 FR 36683-01 - Exports of Agricultural Products, Medicines, and Medical Devices to Cuba, Sudan, Libya, and Iran - Amendments to implement the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 ("TSRA")

United Nations Security Council Resolutions

1672 - Stressing again its firm commitment to the cause of peace throughout Sudan, including through the African Union-led inter-Sudanese peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria ("Abuja Talks"), full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005 and an end to the violence and atrocities in Darfur. (April 25, 2006)
1591 - Expressing its utmost concern over the dire consequences of the prolonged conflict for the civilian population in the Darfur region as well as throughout Sudan, in particular the increase in the number of refugees and internally displaced persons. (March 29, 2005)
1070 - Regretting the fact that the Government of Sudan has not yet complied with the requests of the Central Organ of the OAU set out in those statements (August 16, 1996)
1054 - Deeply alarmed that the Government of Sudan has failed to comply with the requests set out in paragraph 4 of resolution 1044 (1996) (April 26, 1996)
1044 - Calls upon the Government of the Sudan to comply with the requests of the Organization of African Unity without further delay (January 31, 1996)