Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 25, 2024

Title 31 - Money and Finance: Treasury last revised: Nov 18, 2024
Table of Contents

§ 510.501 - General and specific licensing procedures.

§ 510.502 - Effect of license or other authorization.

§ 510.503 - Exclusion from licenses.

§ 510.504 - Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial institutions.

§ 510.505 - Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges.

§ 510.506 - Investment and reinvestment of certain funds.

§ 510.507 - Provision of certain legal services.

§ 510.508 - Payments for legal services from funds originating outside the United States.

§ 510.509 - Emergency medical services.

§ 510.510 - North Korean mission to the United Nations and employees of the United Nations.

§ 510.511 - Noncommercial, personal remittances.

§ 510.512 - Certain transactions in support of nongovernmental organizations' activities.

§ 510.513 - Official business of the United States Government.

§ 510.514 - Official business of certain international organizations and entities.

§ 510.515 - Third-country diplomatic and consular funds transfers.

§ 510.516 - Transactions related to telecommunications and mail.

§ 510.517 - Certain transactions related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property.

§ 510.518 - Calling of certain vessels and landing of certain aircraft.

§ 510.519 - Transactions related to closing a correspondent or payable-through account.

§ 510.520 - Transactions ordinarily incident to the exportation or reexportation to North Korea of items licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce, and related services.

§ 510.521 - Exportation or reexportation to North Korea of certain agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, and replacement parts and components.

§ 510.522 - Journalistic activities and establishment of news bureaus in North Korea.

§ 510.501 - General and specific licensing procedures.

For provisions relating to licensing procedures, see part 501, subpart E, of this chapter. Licensing actions taken pursuant to part 501 of this chapter with respect to the prohibitions contained in this part are considered actions taken pursuant to this part. General licenses and statements of licensing policy relating to this part also may be available through the North Korea sanctions page on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/ofac.

§ 510.502 - Effect of license or other authorization.

(a) No license or other authorization contained in this part, or otherwise issued by OFAC, authorizes or validates any transaction effected prior to the issuance of such license or other authorization, unless specifically provided in such license or authorization.

(b) No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizes any transaction prohibited under this part unless the regulation, ruling, instruction, or license is issued by OFAC and specifically refers to this part. No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license referring to this part shall be deemed to authorize any transaction prohibited by any other part of this chapter unless the regulation, ruling, instruction, or license specifically refers to such part.

(c) Any regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizing any transaction otherwise prohibited under this part has the effect of removing a prohibition contained in this part from the transaction, but only to the extent specifically stated by its terms. Unless the regulation, ruling, instruction, or license otherwise specifies, such an authorization does not create any right, duty, obligation, claim, or interest in, or with respect to, any property that would not otherwise exist under ordinary principles of law.

(d) Nothing contained in this part shall be construed to supersede the requirements established under any other provision of law or to relieve a person from any requirement to obtain a license or other authorization from another department or agency of the U.S. Government in compliance with applicable laws and regulations subject to the jurisdiction of that department or agency. For example, exports of goods, services, or technical data that are not prohibited by this part or that do not require a license by OFAC nevertheless may require authorization by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, or other agencies of the U.S. Government.

(e) No license or other authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part authorizes transfers of or payments from blocked property or debits to blocked accounts unless the license or other authorization explicitly authorizes the transfer of or payment from blocked property or the debit to a blocked account.

(f) Any payment relating to a transaction authorized in or pursuant to this part that is routed through the U.S. financial system should reference the relevant OFAC general or specific license authorizing the payment to avoid the blocking or rejection of the transfer.

§ 510.503 - Exclusion from licenses.

OFAC reserves the right to exclude any person, property, transaction, or class thereof from the operation of any license or from the privileges conferred by any license. OFAC also reserves the right to restrict the applicability of any license to particular persons, property, transactions, or classes thereof. Such actions are binding upon actual or constructive notice of the exclusions or restrictions.

§ 510.504 - Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial institutions.

Any payment of funds or transfer of credit in which the Government of North Korea, the Workers' Party of Korea, or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a) has any interest that comes within the possession or control of a U.S. financial institution, or any payment of funds or transfer of credit, subject to § 510.201(d) must be blocked in an account on the books of that financial institution. A transfer of funds or credit by a U.S. financial institution between blocked accounts in its branches or offices is authorized, provided that no transfer is made from an account within the United States to an account held outside the United States, and further provided that a transfer from a blocked account may be made only to another blocked account held in the same name.

Note 1 to § 510.504:

See § 501.603 of this chapter for mandatory reporting requirements regarding financial transfers. See also § 510.203 concerning the obligation to hold blocked funds in interest-bearing accounts.

§ 510.505 - Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges.

(a) A U.S. financial institution is authorized to debit any blocked account held at that financial institution in payment or reimbursement for normal service charges owed it by the owner of that blocked account.

(b) As used in this section, the term normal service charges shall include charges in payment or reimbursement for interest due; cable, telegraph, internet, or telephone charges; postage costs; custody fees; small adjustment charges to correct bookkeeping errors; and, but not by way of limitation, minimum balance charges, notary and protest fees, and charges for reference books, photocopies, credit reports, transcripts of statements, registered mail, insurance, stationery and supplies, and other similar items.

§ 510.506 - Investment and reinvestment of certain funds.

Subject to the requirements of § 510.203, U.S. financial institutions are authorized to invest and reinvest assets blocked pursuant to § 510.201, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The assets representing such investments and reinvestments are credited to a blocked account or subaccount that is held in the same name at the same U.S. financial institution, or within the possession or control of a U.S. person, but funds shall not be transferred outside the United States for this purpose;

(b) The proceeds of such investments and reinvestments shall not be credited to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or designation that differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or subaccount in which such funds or securities were held; and

(c) No immediate financial or economic benefit accrues (e.g., through pledging or other use) to the Government of North Korea or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a).

§ 510.507 - Provision of certain legal services.

(a) The provision of the following legal services to or on behalf of the Government of North Korea, the Workers' Party of Korea, any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a) or any further Executive orders relating to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008, or any person in North Korea, or in circumstances in which the benefit is otherwise received in North Korea, is authorized, provided that receipt of payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses must be authorized: Pursuant to § 510.508, which authorizes certain payments for legal services from funds originating outside the United States; via specific license; or otherwise pursuant to this part:

(1) Provision of legal advice and counseling on the requirements of and compliance with the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, provided that such advice and counseling are not provided to facilitate transactions in violation of this part;

(2) Representation of persons named as defendants in or otherwise made parties to legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings before any U.S. federal, state, or local court or agency;

(3) Initiation and conduct of legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings before any U.S. federal, state, or local court or agency;

(4) Representation of persons before any U.S. federal, state, or local court or agency with respect to the imposition, administration, or enforcement of U.S. sanctions against such persons or North Korea; and

(5) Provision of legal services in any other context in which prevailing U.S. law requires access to legal counsel at public expense.

(b) The provision of any other legal services to or on behalf of the Government of North Korea, the Workers' Party of Korea, any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a) or any further Executive orders relating to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008, or any person in North Korea, or in circumstances in which the benefit is otherwise received in North Korea, not otherwise authorized in this part, requires the issuance of a specific license.

(c) Consistent with § 510.404, U.S. persons do not need to obtain specific authorization to provide related services, such as making filings and providing other administrative services, that are ordinarily incident to the provision of services authorized by paragraph (a) of this section. Additionally, U.S. persons who provide services authorized by paragraph (a) of this section do not need to obtain specific authorization to contract for related services that are ordinarily incident to the provision of those legal services, such as those provided by private investigators or expert witnesses, or to pay for such services.

(d) Entry into a settlement agreement or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect property or interests in property blocked pursuant to § 510.201, or any further Executive orders relating to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008, is prohibited unless licensed pursuant to this part.

Note 1 to § 510.507:

Pursuant to part 501, subpart E, of this chapter, U.S. persons seeking administrative reconsideration or judicial review of their designation or the blocking of their property and interests in property may apply for a specific license from OFAC to authorize the release of certain blocked funds for the payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses for the provision of such legal services where alternative funding sources are not available. For more information, see OFAC's 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, which is available on OFAC's website at: www.treasury.gov/ofac.

§ 510.508 - Payments for legal services from funds originating outside the United States.

(a) Professional fees and incurred expenses. Receipt of payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses for the provision of legal services authorized pursuant to § 510.507(a) to or on behalf of the Government of North Korea, the Workers' Party of Korea, any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a) or any further Executive orders relating to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008, or any person in North Korea, or in circumstances in which the benefit is otherwise received in North Korea, is authorized from funds originating outside the United States, provided that the funds received by U.S. persons as payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses for the provision of legal services authorized pursuant to § 510.507(a) do not originate from:

(1) A source within the United States;

(2) Any source, wherever located, within the possession or control of a U.S. person; or

(3) Any individual or entity, other than the person on whose behalf the legal services authorized pursuant to § 510.507(a) are to be provided, whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to any part of this chapter or any Executive order or statute.

Note 1 to paragraph (a):

Nothing in this paragraph (a) authorizes payments for legal services using funds in which any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a), any other part of this chapter, or any Executive order has an interest.

(b) Reports. (1) U.S. persons who receive payments pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section must submit annual reports no later than 30 days following the end of the calendar year during which the payments were received providing information on the funds received. Such reports shall specify:

(i) The individual or entity from whom the funds originated and the amount of funds received; and

(ii) If applicable:

(A) The names of any individuals or entities providing related services to the U.S. person receiving payment in connection with authorized legal services, such as private investigators or expert witnesses;

(B) A general description of the services provided; and

(C) The amount of funds paid in connection with such services.

(2) The reports, which must reference this section, are to be submitted to OFAC using one of the following methods:

(i) Email (preferred method): [email protected]; or

(ii) U.S. mail: OFAC Regulations Reports, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Freedman's Bank Building, Washington, DC 20220.

§ 510.509 - Emergency medical services.

The provision and receipt of nonscheduled emergency medical services that are otherwise prohibited by this part or any further Executive orders relating to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008 are authorized.

§ 510.510 - North Korean mission to the United Nations and employees of the United Nations.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the provision of goods or services in the United States to the official mission of the Government of North Korea to the United Nations (the mission) and payment for such goods or services are authorized, provided that:

(1) The goods or services are for the conduct of the official business of the mission, or for personal use of the employees of the mission, their families, or persons forming part of their household, and are not for resale;

(2) The transaction does not involve the purchase, sale, financing, or refinancing of real property;

(3) The transaction does not involve the purchase, sale, financing, or refinancing of luxury goods;

(4) The transaction is not otherwise prohibited by law; and

(5) Funds transfers to or from the mission or the employees of the mission, their families, or persons forming part of their household are conducted through an account at a U.S. financial institution specifically licensed by OFAC.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the provision of goods or services in the United States to the employees of the mission or of the United Nations, their families, or persons forming part of their household, and payment for such goods or services, are authorized, provided that:

(1) The goods or services are for personal use of the employees of the mission or of the United Nations, their families, or persons forming part of their household, and are not for resale;

(2) The transaction does not involve the purchase, sale, financing, or refinancing of luxury goods;

(3) The transaction is not otherwise prohibited by law; and

(4) Funds transfers to or from employees of the mission, their families, or persons forming part of their household are conducted through an account at a U.S. financial institution specifically licensed by OFAC.

(c) This section does not authorize U.S. financial institutions to open and operate accounts for, or extend credit to, the mission of the Government of North Korea or to the employees of the mission, their families, or persons forming part of their household. U.S. financial institutions are required to obtain specific licenses to operate accounts for, or extend credit to, the mission or to the employees of the mission, their families, or persons forming part of their household.

Note 1 to § 510.510:

Nothing in this section authorizes the transfer of any property to the Government of North Korea, the Workers' Party of Korea, or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a) other than the mission, nor does this section authorize any debit to a blocked account.

§ 510.511 - Noncommercial, personal remittances.

(a)(1) U.S. persons are authorized to send and receive and U.S. depository institutions, U.S.-registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S.-registered money transmitters are authorized to process transfers of funds to or from North Korea or for or on behalf of an individual ordinarily resident in North Korea, other than an individual whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a), in cases in which the transfers involve noncommercial, personal remittances, up to a maximum of $5,000 per year.

(2) Noncommercial, personal remittances do not include charitable donations of funds to or for the benefit of an entity or funds transfers for use in supporting or operating a business, including a family-owned business.

(b) The transferring institutions identified in paragraph (a) of this section may rely on the originator of a funds transfer with regard to compliance with paragraph (a) of this section, provided that the transferring institution does not know or have reason to know that the funds transfer is not in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) An individual who is a U.S. person is authorized to carry funds as a noncommercial, personal remittance, as described in paragraph (a) of this section, to an individual in North Korea or ordinarily resident in North Korea, other than an individual whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201(a), provided that the individual who is a U.S. person is carrying the funds on his or her behalf, not on behalf of another person.

§ 510.512 - Certain transactions in support of nongovernmental organizations' activities.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, and subject to the reporting requirements set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, all transactions, including the payment of reasonable and customary taxes, fees, and import duties to, and purchase or receipt of permits, licenses, or public utility services from, the Government of North Korea that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the activities described in paragraph (b) of this section by a nongovernmental organization (NGO) are authorized, provided that the NGO is not a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this part.

Note 1 to paragraph (a).

The authorization in paragraph (a) of this section includes the exportation or reexportation of items (commodities, software, or technology) not subject to the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR parts 730 through 774) (EAR) that are ordinarily incident and necessary to activities described in paragraph (b) of this section, except for items described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. Pursuant to 15 CFR 746.4(a), a license from the Department of Commerce is required to export or reexport any item subject to the EAR to North Korea, except food and medicine designated as EAR99, unless a license exception applies.

(b) The activities referenced in paragraph (a) of this section are non-commercial activities designed to directly benefit the civilian population that fall into one of the following categories:

(1) Activities to support humanitarian projects to meet basic human needs, including disaster, drought, or flood relief; food, nutrition, or medicine distribution; the provision of health services; assistance for vulnerable or displaced populations, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly; and environmental programs;

(2) Activities to support democracy building, including activities to support rule of law, citizen participation, government accountability and transparency, human rights and fundamental freedoms, access to information, and civil society development projects;

(3) Activities to support education at or below a secondary school level, including combating illiteracy, increasing access to education at the primary or secondary school level, and assisting education reform projects, provided that such education excludes the subjects of math, sciences, technology, engineering, and computer programming;

(4) Activities to support non-commercial development projects directly benefiting civilians, including those related to health, food security, and water and sanitation;

(5) Activities to support environmental and natural resource protection, including the preservation and protection of threatened or endangered species, responsible and transparent management of natural resources, and the remediation of pollution or other environmental damage; and

(6) Activities to support disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs and peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and conflict resolution programs.

(c) U.S. depository institutions, U.S.-registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S.-registered money transmitters are authorized to process transfers of funds on behalf of U.S. or third-country NGOs, including transfers of funds to or from North Korea, in support of the activities authorized by paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) This section does not authorize the following transactions:

(1) The exportation or reexportation of services to, charitable donations to or for the benefit of, or any other transactions involving the Government of North Korea, the Workers' Party of Korea, or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201, except as ordinarily incident and necessary to an activity authorized in paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) Partnerships or partnership agreements with any military, intelligence, or law enforcement entity owned or controlled by the Government of North Korea, except as necessary to export or import items to or from North Korea that are licensed or otherwise authorized pursuant to this part or pursuant to the EAR; or

(3) Exportation or reexportation of any item that would not be designated as EAR99 if it were located in the United States, unless exempt or authorized.

(e) NGOs relying on the authorization in paragraph (a) of this section must submit a report to the U.S. Department of State via email at [email protected] no fewer than 30 days before commencement of the authorized activity with the following:

(1) UN Security Council 1718 Committee (“1718 Committee”) report. (i) If the NGO has received 1718 Committee approval with respect to its activities to be conducted pursuant to this section, a copy of such approval along with the exemption request submitted to the 1718 Committee; or

(ii) If the NGO has not received 1718 Committee approval with respect to its activities to be conducted pursuant to this section, either:

(A) A copy of any 1718 Committee exemption request or notification that has been or will be submitted to the 1718 Committee with respect to the NGO's activities; or

(B) A detailed explanation of why the NGO's proposed activities do not require such an exemption or notification, including:

(1) Items the NGO plans to transport to North Korea related to activities described in paragraph (b) of this section, including items for personal use by persons regularly employed by the NGO;

(2) Estimated or actual dollar value of the transaction(s), as determined by the value of goods, services, or contracts;

(3) The parties involved, including any persons owned, controlled, or acting on behalf of the Government of North Korea or the Workers Party of Korea, as well as financial institutions that may be involved in processing such transactions;

(4) The type and scope of activities conducted; and

(5) The dates or duration of the activities.

(2) U.S. Department of State confirmation. The U.S. Department of State may notify an NGO within the 2-week period following submission of the report described in this paragraph (e) to inform the NGO that it may not rely upon this section.

(f) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis to authorize NGOs or other entities to engage in other activities designed to directly benefit the civilian population, including support for the removal of landmines and economic development projects to directly benefit the civilian population of North Korea.

Note 2 to § 510.512.

This section does not relieve any person authorized thereunder from complying with any other applicable laws or regulations.

[89 FR 12234, Feb. 16, 2024]
§ 510.513 - Official business of the United States Government.

All transactions prohibited by this part that are for the conduct of the official business of the United States Government by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof are authorized.

Note 1 to § 510.513.

Section 510.213(e) exempts transactions for the conduct of the official business of the United States Government by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof to the extent such transactions are subject to the prohibitions contained in §§ 510.201(a)(1), (a)(3)(iv) through (vi), and (d), 510.206, and 510.208 through 510.211.

[87 FR 78471, Dec. 21, 2022]
§ 510.514 - Official business of certain international organizations and entities.

All transactions prohibited by this part that are for the conduct of the official business of the following entities by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof are authorized:

(a) The United Nations, including its Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations;

(b) The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA);

(c) The African Development Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), including any fund entity administered or established by any of the foregoing;

(d) The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and

(e) The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Note 1 to § 510.514.

Section 510.213(e) exempts transactions for the conduct of the official business of the United Nations by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof to the extent such transactions are subject to the prohibitions contained in §§ 510.201(a)(1), (a)(3)(iv) through (vi), and (d), 510.206, and 510.208 through 510.211.

Note 2 to § 510.514.

Separate authorization from the Department of Commerce may be required for the export or reexport of items related to such transactions, if the items are subject to the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR parts 730 through 774.

[87 FR 78471, Dec. 21, 2022]
§ 510.515 - Third-country diplomatic and consular funds transfers.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, U.S. depository institutions, U.S.-registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S.-registered money transmitters are authorized to process funds transfers necessary for the operating expenses or other official business of third-country diplomatic or consular missions in North Korea.

(b) This section does not authorize funds transfers involving accounts blocked pursuant to § 510.201(d).

§ 510.516 - Transactions related to telecommunications and mail.

(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, all transactions necessary for the receipt and transmission of telecommunications involving North Korea are authorized.

(2) This section does not authorize:

(i) The provision, sale, or lease of telecommunications equipment or technology; or

(ii) The provision, sale, or lease of capacity on telecommunications transmission facilities (such as satellite or terrestrial network connectivity).

(b) All transactions of common carriers incident to the receipt or transmission of mail and packages between the United States and North Korea are authorized provided that the importation or exportation of such mail and packages is exempt from or authorized pursuant to this part.

§ 510.517 - Certain transactions related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property.

(a) All of the following transactions in connection with a patent, trademark, copyright, or other form of intellectual property protection in the United States or North Korea are authorized, including exportation of services to North Korea, payment for such services, and payment to persons in North Korea directly connected to such intellectual property protection:

(1) The filing and prosecution of any application to obtain a patent, trademark, copyright, or other form of intellectual property protection;

(2) The receipt of a patent, trademark, copyright, or other form of intellectual property protection;

(3) The renewal or maintenance of a patent, trademark, copyright, or other form of intellectual property protection; and

(4) The filing and prosecution of any opposition or infringement proceeding with respect to a patent, trademark, copyright, or other form of intellectual property protection, or the entrance of a defense to any such proceeding.

(b) This section authorizes the payment of fees to the U.S. Government or the Government of North Korea, and of the reasonable and customary fees and charges to attorneys or representatives within the United States or North Korea, in connection with the transactions authorized in paragraph (a) of this section, except that payment effected pursuant to the terms of this paragraph (b) may not be made from a blocked account.

§ 510.518 - Calling of certain vessels and landing of certain aircraft.

(a) Vessels and aircraft in which a foreign person has an interest that have called or landed at a port or place in North Korea within the previous 180 days, and vessels in which a foreign person has an interest that have engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer with such a vessel within the previous 180 days, are authorized to call or land at a port or place in the United States in the following circumstances only:

(1) The vessel is in distress and seeks refuge in the United States;

(2) The vessel's call at a port in North Korea was due solely to its distress and the resulting need to seek refuge;

(3) The aircraft is engaging in a nontraffic stop or an emergency landing in the United States; or

(4) The aircraft's landing in North Korea was due solely to an emergency landing.

(b) For purposes of this section, a nontraffic stop includes a stop for any purpose other than taking on or discharging cargo, passengers, or mail.

§ 510.519 - Transactions related to closing a correspondent or payable-through account.

(a) During the 10-day period beginning on the effective date of the prohibition in § 510.210 on the opening or maintaining of a correspondent account or a payable-through account for a foreign financial institution listed on the List of Foreign Financial Institutions Subject to Correspondent Account or Payable-Through Account Sanctions (CAPTA List), U.S. financial institutions that maintain correspondent accounts or payable-through accounts for the foreign financial institution are authorized to:

(1) Process only those transactions through the account, or permit the foreign financial institution to execute only those transactions through the account, that are for the purpose of, and necessary for, closing the account; and

(2) Transfer the funds remaining in the correspondent account or the payable-through account to an account of the foreign financial institution located outside of the United States and close the correspondent account or the payable-through account.

(b) A report must be filed with OFAC within 30 days of the closure of an account, providing full details on the closing of each correspondent account or payable-through account maintained by a U.S. financial institution for a foreign financial institution whose name is added to the CAPTA List. Such report must include complete information on the closing of the account and on all transactions processed or executed through the account pursuant to this section, including the account outside of the United States to which funds remaining in the account were transferred. The reports, which must reference this section, are to be submitted to OFAC using one of the following methods:

(1) Email (preferred method): [email protected]; or

(2) U.S. mail: Attention: Compliance Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Freedman's Bank Building, Washington, DC 20220.

(c) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis to authorize transactions outside the scope or time period authorized in paragraph (a) of this section by a U.S. financial institution with respect to a correspondent account or a payable-through account maintained by the U.S. financial institution for a foreign financial institution whose name is added to the CAPTA List. License applications should be filed in conformance with § 501.801 of the Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations, 31 CFR part 501.

(d) Nothing in this section authorizes the opening of a correspondent account or a payable-through account for a foreign financial institution whose name appears on the CAPTA List.

Note 1 to § 510.519:

This section does not authorize a U.S. financial institution to unblock property or interests in property, or to engage in any transaction or dealing in property or interests in property, blocked pursuant to any other part of this chapter in the process of closing a correspondent account or a payable-through account for a foreign financial institution whose name has been added to the CAPTA List. See § 510.101.

[83 FR 9187, Mar. 5, 2018, as amended at 84 FR 30870, June 28, 2019; 89 FR 15741, Mar. 5, 2024]
§ 510.520 - Transactions ordinarily incident to the exportation or reexportation to North Korea of items licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce, and related services.

All transactions ordinarily incident to the exportation or reexportation of items (commodities, software, or technology) to North Korea, including transactions with the Government of North Korea or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 510.201, and services provided outside North Korea to install, repair, or replace such items, are authorized, provided that the exportation or reexportation of such items to North Korea is licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce.

[89 FR 12234, Feb. 16, 2024]
§ 510.521 - Exportation or reexportation to North Korea of certain agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, and replacement parts and components.

(a) All transactions prohibited by § 510.206 that are related to the exportation or reexportation to North Korea of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, or replacement parts or components for medical devices, in each case that are not subject to the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR parts 730 through 774) (EAR), are authorized, provided that the agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, or replacement parts or components:

(1) Would be designated as EAR99 if they were located in the United States;

(2) Are not luxury goods as set forth in 15 CFR 746.4(b)(1), including identified as examples of luxury goods in 17 CFR part 746, supplement no. 1;

(3) Are approved for exportation or reexportation to North Korea by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 1718 (2006), to the extent such approval is required;

(4) Are not exported or reexported to any military, intelligence, or law enforcement purchaser or importer; and

(5) Replacement parts are limited to a one-for-one export or reexport basis (i.e., only one replacement part can be exported or reexported to replace a broken or non-operational part).

Note 1 to paragraph (a).

Separate authorization from OFAC is required for export or reexport by a U.S. person to North Korea of items that are not subject to the EAR, other than agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, or replacement parts or components for medical devices as described in this paragraph. See § 510.512 for a general license authorizing certain transactions by nongovernmental organizations, including exports and reexports of certain items that are not subject to the EAR.

(b) For the purposes of this section, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices are defined as follows:

(1) Agricultural commodities. The term agricultural commodities means products:

(i) That fall within the term “agricultural commodity” as defined in section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602); and

(ii) That are intended for ultimate use as:

(A) Food for humans (including raw, processed, and packaged foods; live animals; vitamins and minerals; food additives or supplements; and bottled drinking water) or animals (including animal feeds);

(B) Seeds for food crops;

(C) Fertilizers for the purposes of food production; or

(D) Reproductive materials (such as live animals, fertilized eggs, embryos, and semen) for the production of food animals.

(2) Medicine. The term medicine means an item that falls within the definition of the term “drug” in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).

(3) Medical device. The term medical device means an item that:

(i) Falls within the definition of “device” in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321); and

(ii) Is not on the List of Medical Devices Requiring Specific Authorization, which is maintained on OFAC's website (www.treasury.gov/ofac) on the North Korea Sanctions page.

Note 2 to § 510.521.

Pursuant to 17 CFR 746.4(a), a license from the Department of Commerce is required to export or reexport any item subject to the EAR to North Korea, except food and medicine designated as EAR99, unless a license exception applies.

[89 FR 12235, Feb. 16, 2024]
§ 510.522 - Journalistic activities and establishment of news bureaus in North Korea.

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, news reporting organizations that are United States persons, and individuals who are United States persons regularly employed by news reporting organizations either as journalists (including photojournalists) or as supporting broadcast or technical personnel, are authorized to engage in the following transactions in North Korea, provided that such transactions are ordinarily incident and necessary to their journalistic activities or the establishment or operation of a news bureau in North Korea:

(1) Hiring and compensating support staff in North Korea (e.g., stringers, translators, interpreters, camera operators, technical experts, freelance producers, or drivers), persons to handle logistics, or other office personnel as needed;

(2) Leasing or renting office space;

(3) Purchasing, leasing, or renting North Korean-origin goods and services (e.g., mobile phones and related airtime), selling such goods when no longer needed to persons other than the Government of North Korea or Worker's Party of Korea, or importing them into the United States;

(4) Renting and using telecommunications facilities in North Korea and paying fees or taxes related to the dissemination of information and transmission of news feeds (e.g., fees for satellite uplink facilities, or live news feeds);

(5) Exporting and reexporting to North Korea, and subsequently reexporting from North Korea, equipment that is not subject to the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR parts 730 through 774) (EAR), and that is ordinarily incident and necessary to journalistic activities, provided that:

(i) Such equipment would be designated as EAR99 if it were located in the United States;

(ii) The exportation or reexportation is approved by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 1718 (2006), to the extent such approval is required; and

(iii) Such equipment remains under the effective control and in the physical possession of the news reporting organization or journalist exporting such equipment while it is in North Korea and is reexported from North Korea to the United States or a third country when no longer needed for journalistic activities in North Korea; and

(6) Paying for all expenses ordinarily incident and necessary to journalistic activities, including sales or employment taxes to the Government of North Korea.

Note 1 to paragraph (a).

This section does not relieve any person authorized thereunder from complying with any other applicable laws or regulations. Pursuant to 15 CFR 746.4(a), a license from the Department of Commerce is required to export or reexport any item (commodities, software, or technology) subject to the EAR to North Korea, except food and medicine designated as EAR99, unless a license exception applies.

Note 2 to paragraph (a).

See § 510.520 for a general license authorizing transactions ordinarily incident to the exportation or reexportation to North Korea of items that are licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department of Commerce.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “news reporting organization” means an entity whose primary purpose is the gathering and dissemination of news to the general public.

Note 3 to § 510.522.

As of September 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of State has restricted the use of U.S. passports to travel into, in, or through North Korea. See 22 CFR 51.63. U.S. nationals who wish to travel to or within North Korea for the extremely limited purposes that are set forth in Federal regulations must apply for a passport with a special validation from the Department of State. See travel.state.gov for additional details.

[89 FR 12235, Feb. 16, 2024]
authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. 1601-1651,1701; 22 U.S.C. 287c,9201; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); Pub. L. 115-44, 131 Stat. 886 (codified in scattered sections of 22 U.S.C.); E.O. 13466, 73 FR 36787, 3 CFR, 2008 Comp., p. 195; E.O. 13551, 75 FR 53837, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 242; E.O. 13570, 76 FR 22291, 3 CFR, 2011 Comp., p. 233; E.O. 13687, 80 FR 819, 3 CFR, 2015 Comp., p. 259; E.O. 13722, 81 FR 14943, 3 CFR, 2016 Comp., p. 446; E.O. 13810, 82 FR 44705, 3 CFR, 2017 Comp., p. 379
source: 83 FR 9187, Mar. 5, 2018, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 31 CFR 510.501