OFAC

The Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Controls (“OFAC”) administers financial and economic sanctions against specific countries in response to some form of wrongdoing. OFAC sanctions are targeted broadly against 1) foreign governments and political entities, 2) individuals and groups ranging from terrorists and drug cartels to banks and other financial institutes that support those types of activities, 3) entities such as charities linked to terrorism, and 4) certain activities such as those that would lead to nuclear proliferation or otherwise violation U.S. policy interests.

Well-known sanctions programs include complete embargoes or more limited restrictions on trade with Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea. Other programs include more targeted sanctions on the property of specified people from countries including Russia, Venezuela, Belarus, the Congo, and elsewhere. Collectively, such individuals and companies are called "Specially Designated Nationals" or "SDNs." Their assets are blocked, and U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing with them. Both the sanctions programs and the SDN List are constantly changing and companies that do business internationally, particularly in political ‘hot spots’ are well advised to constantly monitor OFAC developments. 

OFAC’s sanctions apply to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located. It also applies to any person who is physically in the United States regardless of his citizenship. U.S. companies and all branches of U.S. organizations throughout the world remain subject to OFAC. Likewise, U.S. branches or offices (physically located in the U.S.) of foreign corporations are subject to OFAC. 

Attorneys at Barnes, Richardson are well versed in sanction law and can provide guidance on how to tailor transactions, including financial transactions, so they remain complaint with the OFAC law. Barnes, Richardson attorneys assist companies in all areas of OFAC compliance, including building and auditing robust OFAC compliance programs, preparing and submitting voluntary disclosures to OFAC, and engaging in other representations before that agency. 

Jul. 23, 2024
Importers Required to Certify that Malaysian and Vietnamese Goods Don't Come From China
Jul. 23, 2024
OFAC's Extended Statue of Limitations
Jul. 22, 2024
Three Years in Prison for Export Violations for Hong Kong Man
Jul. 11, 2024
PVC, Aluminum, and Seafood New Target Sectors for Forced Labor
Jul. 10, 2024
Mexico and the US Have a Meeting of the Minds on Steel and Aluminum Transshipment
Jul. 9, 2024
Alleged Victim of Forced Labor in Chinese Prison Sues American Company for Damages
Jul. 8, 2024
BIS Publishes Report on Export Violations
Jul. 1, 2024
Supreme Court Overturns Chevron, Does it Impact Trade Cases?
Jun. 27, 2024
Crackdown on U.S. Outbound Investment to China
Jun. 24, 2024
AD & CVD Rates for Solar Cells of China Imposed on Imports From Vietnam
Jun. 24, 2024
$285K Export Control Penalty by BIS
Jun. 21, 2024
Illicit Houthi Shipment Sanctions
Jun. 18, 2024
The Nuclear Option: BIS's Power to Deny Export Privileges
Jun. 17, 2024
To Be or Not to Be, Is that the Question for USMCA?
Jun. 10, 2024
Importers Must Plan for Possible East Coast and Gulf Coast Strikes
Jun. 5, 2024
U.S. Company Settles Anti-Boycott Violation
Jun, 4, 2024
Indo-Pacific Framework Comments Due by June 21
May 30, 2024
USTR Requests Labor Review of Mexico's Largest Auto Assembly Plant
May 28, 2024
U.S. Companies Should Remain Vigilant for Anti-Boycott Provision
May 28, 2024
Most Section 301 Exclusions Expiring Mid-June
May 22, 2024
HTS Codes Published for Section 301 Tariff Increase
May 20, 2024
Commerce Makes Major Changes to (Some) Section 232 Exclusions
May 20, 2024
Senate Committee Takes Aim at Likely BMW and Jaguar Forced Labor Imports
May 17, 2024
DHS' Largest Ever One-Time UFLPA Entity List Expansion
May 14, 2024
Section 301 Tariffs to Remain, Increase in Some Industries
May 8, 2024
The Largest-Ever Civil Penalty for "Made in USA" Violation
May 3, 2024
Final Rule on EV Battery Tax Credit
May 3, 2024
New Bill Proposes Battery Supply Chain Tracing
Apr. 30, 2024
Understanding Exporter Liability for Re-Exports
Apr. 25, 2024
Mexico Imposes Very High Duties on Some Imports
Apr. 22, 2024
Climate and Trade Task Force Created
Apr. 16, 2024
Russian Aluminum, Copper, and Nickel Prohibition
Apr. 12, 2024
Using French and British English to Classify Imports
Apr. 4, 2024
End-User and End-Use Restrictions 101
Mar. 22, 2024
End -User Restrictions for OFAC SDN Listed Entities
Mar. 22, 2023
DHS Gets a Budget Boost for Combating Forced Labor
Mar. 18, 2024
EAPA Final Rule Allows (Representatives of) Parties to Access Business Confidential Information
Feb. 23, 2024
Escalated Sanctions Related to Russia Hit Globally
Feb. 15, 2024
First Bond Guidance in 33 Years Issued
Feb. 13, 2024
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Implemented
Feb. 12, 2024
The 2018 Trade War Has Been an Employment Failure
Feb. 9, 2024
New Export Control Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Requirements for IaaS Providers
Feb. 1, 2024
Fine Makes Clear That the FTC is Serious About Made in USA
Jan. 30, 2024
Sheffield Issues Guide for the Solar or EV Battery Sectors
Jan. 26, 2024
Increased Controls of Exports Destined to Russia or Belarus
Jan. 24, 2024
Importer Avoids 7% Surprise on Agency Arrangement
Jan. 22, 2024
CIT Overturns AD/CVD Evasion Finding