Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024
Title 31 - Money and Finance: Treasury last revised: Nov 18, 2024
§ 536.501 - Effect of license or authorization.
(a) No license or other authorization contained in this part, or otherwise issued by or under the direction of the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, shall be deemed to authorize or validate any transaction effected prior to the issuance of the license, 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 the Office of Foreign Assets Control 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 provision of this chapter unless the regulation, ruling, instruction or license specifically refers to such provision.
(c) Any regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizing any transaction otherwise prohibited under this part has the effect of removing a prohibition or prohibitions 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 which would not otherwise exist under ordinary principles of law.
§ 536.502 - Exclusion from licenses and authorizations.
The Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control reserves the right to exclude any person, property, or transaction from the operation of any license, or from the privileges therein conferred, or to restrict the applicability thereof with respect to particular persons, property, transactions, or classes thereof. Such action shall be binding upon all persons receiving actual or constructive notice of such exclusion or restriction.
§ 536.503 - Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial institutions.
(a) Any payment of funds or transfer of credit or other financial or economic resources or assets into a blocked account in a U.S. financial institution is authorized, provided that a transfer from a blocked account pursuant to this authorization may only be made to another blocked account held in the same name on the books of the same U.S. financial institution.
(b) This section does not authorize any transfer from a blocked account within the United States to an account held outside the United States.
Note to § 536.503:
Please refer to § 501.603 of this chapter for mandatory reporting requirements regarding financial transfers.
[62 FR 9960, Mar. 5, 1997, as amended at 62 FR 45107, Aug. 25, 1997]
§ 536.504 - Investment and reinvestment of certain funds.
(a) U.S. financial institutions are hereby authorized and directed to invest and reinvest assets held in blocked accounts in the name of a specially designated narcotics trafficker, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The assets representing such investments and reinvestments are credited to a blocked account or sub-account which is in the name of the specially designated narcotics trafficker and which is located in the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person; and
(2) The proceeds of such investments and reinvestments are not credited to a blocked account or sub-account under any name or designation which differs from the name or designation of the specific blocked account or sub-account in which such funds or securities were held; and
(3) No immediate financial or economic benefit or access accrues (e.g., through pledging or other use) to the specially designated narcotics trafficker.
(b)(1) U.S. persons seeking to avail themselves of this authorization must register with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Blocked Assets Division, before undertaking transactions authorized under this section.
(2) Transactions conducted pursuant to this section must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Blocked Assets Division, in a report filed no later than 10 business days following the last business day of the month in which the transactions occurred.
§ 536.505 - Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges authorized.
(a) U.S. financial institutions are hereby authorized to debit any blocked account with such U.S. financial institution in payment or reimbursement for normal service charges owed to such U.S. financial institution by the owner of such blocked account.
(b) As used in this section, the term normal service charge shall include charges in payment or reimbursement for interest due; cable, telegraph, 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, photostats, credit reports, transcripts of statements, registered mail, insurance, stationery and supplies, check books, and other similar items.
§ 536.506 - Provision of certain legal services.
(a) The provision of the following legal services to or on behalf of specially designated narcotics traffickers is authorized, provided that any receipt of payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses must be authorized pursuant to § 536.507 or 536.508, which authorize certain payments for legal services; via specific licenses; 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; 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 specially designated narcotics traffickers not otherwise authorized in this part, requires the issuance of a specific license.
(c) 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 this paragraph. Additionally, U.S. persons who provide services authorized by 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. See § 536.405.
(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 § 536.201 is prohibited unless licensed pursuant to this part.
Note 1 to § 536.506:
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
[86 FR 26665, May 17, 2021]
§ 536.507 - Payments for legal services from funds originating outside the United States.
(a) Professional fees and incurred expenses. (1) Receipt of payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses for the provision of legal services authorized pursuant to § 536.506(a) to or on behalf of a specially designated narcotics trafficker is authorized from funds originating outside the United States, provided that the funds do not originate from:
(i) A source within the United States;
(ii) Any source, wherever located, within the possession or control of a U.S. person; or
(iii) Any individual or entity, other than the person on whose behalf the legal services authorized pursuant to § 536.506(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.
(2) Nothing in this paragraph authorizes payments for legal services using funds in which a specially designated narcotics trafficker, or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to any other part of this chapter, or any Executive order or statute 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.
[86 FR 26666, May 17, 2021]
§ 536.508 - Payment of legal fees and expenses at public expense.
U.S. persons that are attorneys, law firms, or legal services organizations are authorized to receive payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses from public funds for the provision of legal services authorized by § 536.506(a).
[86 FR 26666, May 17, 2021]
§ 536.509 - Certain transactions for maintenance, employment, and related banking services for blocked individuals physically located in the United States.
(a) Individuals who are specially designated narcotics traffickers who are in U.S. custody or incarcerated in jails, prisons, or similar facilities in the United States (“covered individuals”), are authorized to engage in the following transactions within the United States:
(1) Purchasing, making payment for, and receiving goods and services for their maintenance and the maintenance of their spouse or persons who would ordinarily share a common dwelling as a family with them, located in the United States, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, education, transportation, insurance, and utilities;
(2) Obtaining or continuing employment and engaging in all transactions ordinarily incident to such employment, including receipt of salary and benefits;
(3) Establishing accounts with a U.S. financial institution, or a commissary-type account with a prison, jail, or other similar facility, located in the United States, for use in connection with the transactions authorized in paragraph (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section; and
(4) Receiving and making funds transfers in furtherance of the authorized transactions set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section from unblocked funds originating within or outside the United States, provided that any funds received may not originate from any individual or entity whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to any part of this chapter or any Executive order or statute, other than the covered individual or his or her spouse or persons who would ordinarily share a common dwelling as a family with the covered individual.
(b) Any financial institution that has established any account pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section, excluding commissary-type accounts with prisons, jails, or other similar facilities, must provide the name and address of the financial institution, the name of the account holder, and the account number to OFAC within 10 business days of the establishment of the account.
(c) This general license does not authorize any funds transfers to any location outside the United States.
Note 1 to paragraph (c):
A covered individual has an interest in any funds remaining in a commissary-type account with a prison, jail, or other similar facility established pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section after the covered individual is released from custody or incarceration.
Note 2 to paragraph (c):
In the case of individuals who are in custody or incarcerated, funds transfers must be authorized by and consistent with the conditions, protocols, and other requirements established by the jail, prison, or other facility.
Note 3 to § 536.509:
The authorization in this section only applies to laws and regulations administered by OFAC and should not be interpreted to excuse compliance with other applicable laws or regulations, including the immigration laws of the United States.
[86 FR 26666, May 17, 2021]
§ 536.510 - Certain transactions for the expenses of maintaining blocked tangible property.
(a) Specially designated narcotics traffickers are authorized to engage in the following transactions:
(1) Making payment for and receiving goods and services for the maintenance of blocked tangible property required pursuant to § 536.206; and
(2) Receiving and making funds transfers in furtherance of the authorized transactions set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section from unblocked funds originating outside the United States, provided that any funds received may not originate from any individual or entity whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to any part of this chapter or any Executive order or statute, other than the specially designated narcotics trafficker(s), who owns the property.
(b)(1) Any person making payment for or receiving goods and services for the maintenance of tangible property blocked pursuant to § 536.201 and authorized by paragraph (a)(1) of this section must file a report on the transactions with OFAC within 30 days of the first transaction related to that property and annually thereafter. Such reports shall include the following numbered sections and information:
(i) Estimated or actual dollar value of the transaction(s), as determined by the value of the payment, goods, or services;
(ii) A description of the blocked property;
(iii) The parties involved;
(iv) The type and scope of transactions conducted; and
(v) The dates and duration of the transactions.
(2) The reports, which must reference this section, are to be submitted to OFAC via email to [email protected].
[86 FR 26667, May 17, 2021, as amended at 89 FR 15741, Mar. 5, 2024]
§ 536.511 - Emergency medical services.
The provision and receipt of nonscheduled emergency medical services that are prohibited by this part are authorized.
[86 FR 26667, May 17, 2021]
§ 536.512 - 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.
[87 FR 78471, Dec. 21, 2022]
§ 536.513 - Official business of certain international organizations and entities.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, 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:
(1) The United Nations, including its Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations;
(2) The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA);
(3) 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;
(4) The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and
(5) The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
(b) This section does not authorize funds transfers initiated or processed with knowledge or reason to know that the intended beneficiary of such transfers is a person blocked pursuant to this part, other than for the purpose of effecting the payment of taxes, fees, or import duties, or the purchase or receipt of permits, licenses, or public utility services.
[87 FR 78471, Dec. 21, 2022]
§ 536.514 - Authorizing Certain Transactions in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations' Activities.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, all transactions prohibited by this part that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the activities described in paragraph (b) of this section by a nongovernmental organization are authorized, provided that the nongovernmental organization is not a specially designated narcotics trafficker.
(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, including combating illiteracy, increasing access to education, international exchanges, and assisting education reform projects;
(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) This section does not authorize funds transfers initiated or processed with knowledge or reason to know that the intended beneficiary of such transfers is a specially designated narcotics trafficker, other than for the purpose of effecting the payment of taxes, fees, or import duties, or the purchase or receipt of permits, licenses, or public utility services.
(d) Specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis to authorize nongovernmental 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.
Note 1 to § 536.514.
This section does not relieve any person authorized thereunder from complying with any other applicable laws or regulations.
[87 FR 78484, Dec. 21, 2022]
§ 536.515 - Transactions related to the provision of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, replacement parts and components, or software updates for personal, non-commercial use.
(a) All transactions prohibited by this part that are related to the provision, directly or indirectly, of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, replacement parts and components for medical devices, or software updates for medical devices to an individual who is a specially designated narcotics trafficker are authorized, provided the items are in quantities consistent with personal, non-commercial use.
(b) For the purposes of this section, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices are defined as follows:
(1) Agricultural commodities. For the purposes of this section, agricultural commodities are:
(i) Products 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 or organic fertilizers; or
(D) Reproductive materials (such as live animals, fertilized eggs, embryos, and semen) for the production of food animals.
(2) Medicine. For the purposes of this section, medicine is 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 devices. For the purposes of this section, a medical device is an item that falls within the definition of “device” in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
Note 1 to § 536.515.
This section does not relieve any person authorized thereunder from complying with any other applicable laws or regulations.
[87 FR 78485, Dec. 21, 2022]
authority: 3 U.S.C. 301;
31 U.S.C. 321(b);
50 U.S.C. 1601-1651,
1701; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended (
28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 12978, 60 FR 54579, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 415; E.O. 13286, 68 FR 10619, 3 CFR, 2003 Comp., p. 166
source: 62 FR 9960, Mar. 5, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 31 CFR 536.506