The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has undertaken an initiative to post on its website answers to questions of general applicability frequently asked by the public. The initiative is intended to be part of OFAC's commitment to regulatory transparency and customer service. OFAC is continuing to prepare answers to additional questions that are often asked and additional questions and answers will be posted periodically. Comments are welcome via the "E-mail OFAC" link on OFAC's homepage. It should be noted, however, that OFAC is unable to treat any information submitted concerning FAQs as confidential or proprietary to the submitter and no information submitted concerning FAQs will be treated as such.

The questions and answers highlight key issues and topics relating to economic sanctions and the procedures and practices of OFAC. They are intended only as general information to assist persons subject to United States jurisdiction to comply with legal requirements and to facilitate an understanding of the scope and purposes of sanctions programs. It is very important to note that U.S. businesses, individuals, and others subject to OFAC jurisdiction must comply with the full legal requirements of OFAC's programs which are set forth in the applicable statutes, Executive Orders, and implementing regulations found in Title 31 Chapter V of the Code of Federal Regulations and in Federal Register documents that update the regulations. The reader is further cautioned that specific facts may alter an analysis and, because each program reflects unique foreign policy and national security contexts, a particular answer will not always be applicable to all programs or at all times. For further assistance, call OFAC's Compliance Programs Division at 202/622-2490 or OFAC's Licensing Division at 202/622-2480 or write to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220.