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91. What lists does OFAC maintain? Where can I find these lists?
OFAC publishes lists of individuals and entities that are subject to OFAC-administered sanctions. One such list is known as the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, or "SDN List," which is available on OFAC’s website. Property and interests in property of the individuals and entities on the SDN List, that is within the United States or within the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked. Additionally, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with the individuals and entities on the SDN List.
It is important to note that some OFAC sanctions block categories of persons even if those persons do not appear on the SDN List, including most Cuban nationals, blocked foreign governments, or persons blocked pursuant to OFAC’s "50 Percent Rule" (i.e., any entity owned individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons). The property and interests in property of such an entity are blocked regardless of whether the entity itself is listed on the SDN List.
In addition, OFAC maintains other sanctions lists of persons that are subject to non-blocking sanctions. These lists are also available on OFAC’s website. For information on specific prohibitions under a particular OFAC sanctions program, please see the relevant OFAC implementing regulations and the Sanctions Programs and Country Information page on OFAC’s website.
Date Updated: August 21, 2024.
Updated on Aug 21, 2024
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91. I am looking for the terrorist list on your web site so my company can comply with U.S. law. Where can I find this list?
OFAC’s regulations are broader than the specific laws dealing with terrorists and persons who support them. All individuals and entities that fall under U.S. jurisdiction should use OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). This list includes specially designated global terrorists and narcotics traffickers, among other designated persons, and is available on OFAC’s website. In addition, OFAC maintains other sanctions lists that may have different prohibitions associated with each that apply to U.S. persons or transactions otherwise subject to U.S. jurisdiction. It is important to note that some OFAC sanctions block categories of persons even if those persons do not appear on the SDN List. For example, this is the case for any person that meets the definition of the “Government of Venezuela” in Executive Order 13884 of August 5, 2019 (“Blocking Property of the Government of Venezuela”). It is also important to note that OFAC’s Cuba sanctions prohibit most transactions with Cuban nationals, wherever located. U.S. persons are expected to exercise due diligence in determining whether any such persons are involved in a proposed transaction. [08-11-2020]
1) FAQ amended on 8-21-24 concurrent with Modernizing Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (Press Release), detailing several modernization efforts, including the updating of a number of general interest FAQs containing dated language. This FAQ does not appear to provide guidance in a way that adds to or deviates from OFAC’s other modern guidance. The comments below were drafted (not amended) prior to the 8-21-24 amendment.
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Notes:
1) FAQ amended on Aug. 11, 2020 "to reflect that Sudan has not been a comprehensively sanctioned country since October 12, 2017" (see https://web.archive.org/web/20221207223105/https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20200811). No substantive change from the original other than the flagging of the issue that certain persons are blocked even when they do not appear on the SDN list.