Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 31 - Money and Finance: Treasury last revised: Nov 18, 2024
§ 546.201 - Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.

(a) All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that come within the United States, or that are or come within the possession or control of any U.S. person of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:

(1) E.O. 13400 Annex. The persons listed in the Annex to Executive Order 13400 of April 26, 2006.

(2) E.O. 13400. Any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State:

(i) To have constituted a threat to the peace process in Darfur;

(ii) To have constituted a threat to stability in Darfur and the region;

(iii) To be responsible for conduct related to the conflict in Darfur that violates international law;

(iv) To be responsible for heinous conduct with respect to human life or limb related to the conflict in Darfur;

(v) To have directly or indirectly supplied, sold, or transferred arms or any related materiel, or any assistance, advice, or training related to military activities to:

(A) The Government of Sudan;

(B) The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army;

(C) The Justice and Equality Movement;

(D) The Janjaweed; or

(E) Any person (other than a person listed in paragraph (a)(2)(v)(A) through (D) of this section) operating in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur, or West Darfur that is a belligerent, a nongovernmental entity, or an individual;

(vi) To be responsible for offensive military overflights in and over the Darfur region;

(vii) To have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the activities described in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) through (vi) of this section or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraphs (a)(1) through (2) of this section; or

(viii) To be owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraphs (a)(1) through (2) of this section.

(3) E.O. 14098. Any foreign person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:

(i) To be responsible for, or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, any of the following:

(A) Actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan;

(B) Actions or policies that obstruct, undermine, delay, or impede, or pose a significant risk of obstructing, undermining, delaying, or impeding, the formation or operation of a civilian transitional government, Sudan's transition to democracy, or a future democratically elected government;

(C) Actions or policies that have the purpose or effect of undermining democratic processes or institutions in Sudan;

(D) Censorship or other actions or policies that prohibit, limit, or penalize the exercise of freedoms of expression, association, or peaceful assembly by individuals in Sudan, or that limit access to free and independent news or information in or with respect to Sudan;

(E) Corruption, including bribery, misappropriation of state assets, and interference with public processes such as government oversight of parastatal budgets and revenues for personal benefit;

(F) Serious human rights abuse, including serious human rights abuse related to political repression, in or with respect to Sudan;

(G) The targeting of women, children, or any other civilians through the commission of acts of violence (including killing, maiming, torture, or rape or other sexual violence), abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law;

(H) The obstruction of the activities of United Nations missions—including peacekeeping missions, as well as diplomatic or humanitarian missions—in Sudan, or of the delivery of, distribution of, or access to humanitarian assistance; or

(I) Attacks against United Nations missions, including peacekeeping operations;

(ii) To be or have been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of any entity:

(A) That has, or whose members have, engaged in any activity described in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors; or

(B) Whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors;

(iii) To be a spouse or adult child of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section;

(iv) To have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any activity described in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section; or

(v) To be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section.

(b) The prohibitions in this section include, but are not limited to, prohibitions on the following transactions when engaged in by a United States person or within the United States:

(1) The making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section; and

(2) The receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Unless otherwise authorized by this part or by a specific license expressly referring to this section, any dealing in any security (or evidence thereof) held within the possession or control of a U.S. person and either registered or inscribed in the name of, or known to be held for the benefit of, or issued by, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this section is prohibited. This prohibition includes but is not limited to the transfer (including the transfer on the books of any issuer or agent thereof), disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of, or the endorsement or guaranty of signatures on, any such security on or after the effective date. This prohibition applies irrespective of the fact that at any time (whether prior to, on, or subsequent to the effective date) the registered or inscribed owner of any such security may have or might appear to have assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of the security.

(d) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, rulings, instructions, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this part, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date.

(e) All transactions prohibited pursuant to any Executive order issued after May 4, 2023 pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13067 of November 3, 1997 and expanded by E.O. 13400 of April 26, 2006 and E.O. 14098 of May 4, 2023 are prohibited pursuant to this part.

Note 1 to § 546.201:

The names of persons listed in, or designated or identified as blocked pursuant to E.O. 13067, or any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the national emergency declared therein, whose property and interests in property therefore are blocked pursuant to this section, are published in the Federal Register and incorporated into OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) using the following identifiers: for E.O. 13400: “[DARFUR]”; for E.O. 14098: “[SUDAN-EO14098]”; and for any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13067 using the identifier formulation “[SUDAN-E.O.[E.O. number pursuant to which the person's property and interests in property are blocked]].” The SDN List is accessible through the following page on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter. See § 546.411 concerning entities that may not be listed on the SDN List but whose property and interests in property are nevertheless blocked pursuant to this section.

Note 2 to § 546.201:

Section 203 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702) authorizes the blocking of property and interests in property of a person during the pendency of an investigation. Except as described in note 3 to this section, the names of persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pending investigation pursuant to this section are published in the Federal Register and incorporated into the SDN List using the following identifiers: for E.O. 13400: “[BPI-DARFUR]”; for E.O. 14098, “[BPI-SUDAN-EO14098]”; and for any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13067: using the identifier formulation “[BPI-SUDAN-[E.O. number pursuant to which the person's property and interests in property are blocked pending investigation]].”

Note 3 to § 546.201:

In certain cases, OFAC may issue an order to: identify as blocked specific property or interests in property of a person designated or otherwise blocked pursuant to this section; block specific property or interests in property of a person pending investigation; or block or impose other prohibitions with respect to specific property or interests in property less than full blocking sanctions. Notice of such orders will be provided: by publication in the Federal Register; in writing to persons OFAC may assess to have an interest in the property; or by issuing an order or directive in writing to financial institutions or other transaction intermediaries, and requiring the recipient of the order or directive to promptly disclose it to affected persons with whom the recipient maintains direct commercial relationships. Inquiries regarding any such order should be directed to OFAC's Compliance Division at 202-622-2490 or https://ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac.

Note 4 to § 546.201:

Subpart E of part 501 of this chapter describes the procedures to be followed for the release of property and interests in property blocked pursuant to this section, including funds blocked due to mistaken identity or typographical or similar errors, and for administrative reconsideration of one's status as a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

[89 FR 15746, Mar. 5, 2024, as amended at 89 FR 75959, Sept. 17, 2024]
§ 546.202 - Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part.

(a) Any transfer after the effective date that is in violation of any provision of this part or of any regulation, ruling, instruction, order, directive, or license issued pursuant to this part, and that involves any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to § 546.201, is null and void and shall not be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any interest in or right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to such property or interest in property.

(b) No transfer before the effective date shall be the basis for the assertion or recognition of any right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to, or any interest in, any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to § 546.201, unless the person who holds or maintains such property, prior to that date, had written notice of the transfer or by any written evidence had recognized such transfer.

(c) Unless otherwise provided, a license or other authorization issued by OFAC before, during, or after a transfer shall validate such transfer or make it enforceable to the same extent that it would be valid or enforceable but for the provisions of this part and any regulation, ruling, instruction, order, directive, or license issued pursuant to this part.

(d) Transfers of property that otherwise would be null and void or unenforceable by virtue of the provisions of this section shall not be deemed to be null and void or unenforceable as to any person with whom such property is or was held or maintained (and as to such person only) in cases in which such person is able to establish to the satisfaction of OFAC each of the following:

(1) Such transfer did not represent a willful violation of the provisions of this part by the person with whom such property is or was held or maintained (and as to such person only);

(2) The person with whom such property is or was held or maintained did not have reasonable cause to know or suspect, in view of all the facts and circumstances known or available to such person, that such transfer required a license or authorization issued pursuant to this part and was not so licensed or authorized, or, if a license or authorization did purport to cover the transfer, that such license or authorization had been obtained by misrepresentation of a third party or withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained; and

(3) The person with whom such property is or was held or maintained filed with the OFAC a report setting forth in full the circumstances relating to such transfer promptly upon discovery that:

(i) Such transfer was in violation of the provisions of this part or any regulation, ruling, instruction, order, directive, license, or authorization issued pursuant to this part;

(ii) Such transfer was not licensed or authorized by OFAC; or

(iii) If a license did purport to cover the transfer, such license had been obtained by misrepresentation of a third party or withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained.

(e) The filing of a report in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d)(3) of this section shall not be deemed evidence that the terms of paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section have been satisfied.

(f) Unless licensed pursuant to this part, any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is null and void with respect to any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to § 546.201.

[74 FR 25432, May 28, 2009, as amended at 89 FR 15747, Mar. 5, 2024; 89 FR 67557, Aug. 21, 2024]
§ 546.203 - Holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts; investment and reinvestment.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, or as otherwise directed by OFAC, any U.S. person holding funds, such as currency, bank deposits, or liquidated financial obligations, subject to § 546.201 shall hold or place such funds in a blocked interest-bearing account located in the United States.

(b)(1) For purposes of this section, the term blocked interest-bearing account means a blocked account:

(i) In a federally-insured U.S. bank, thrift institution, or credit union, provided the funds are earning interest at rates that are commercially reasonable; or

(ii) With a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), provided the funds are invested in a money market fund or in U.S. Treasury bills.

(2) For purposes of this section, a rate is commercially reasonable if it is the rate currently offered to other depositors on deposits or instruments of comparable size and maturity.

(3) Funds held or placed in a blocked account pursuant to this paragraph (b) may not be invested in instruments the maturity of which exceeds 180 days. If interest is credited to a separate blocked account or subaccount, the name of the account party on each account must be the same.

(c) Blocked funds held in instruments the maturity of which exceeds 180 days at the time the funds become subject to § 546.201 may continue to be held until maturity in the original instrument, provided any interest, earnings, or other proceeds derived therefrom are paid into a blocked interest-bearing account in accordance with paragraph (b) or (d) of this section.

(d) Blocked funds held in accounts or instruments outside the United States at the time the funds become subject to § 546.201 may continue to be held in the same type of accounts or instruments, provided the funds earn interest at rates that are commercially reasonable.

(e) This section does not create an affirmative obligation for the holder of blocked tangible property, such as chattels or real estate, or of other blocked property, such as debt or equity securities, to sell or liquidate such property. However, OFAC may issue licenses permitting or directing such sales or liquidation in appropriate cases.

(f) Funds subject to this section may not be held, invested, or reinvested in a manner that provides immediate financial or economic benefit or access to any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 546.201, nor may their holder cooperate in or facilitate the pledging or other attempted use as collateral of blocked funds or other assets.

[74 FR 25432, May 28, 2009, as amended at 89 FR 15752, Mar. 5, 2024; 89 FR 67557, Aug. 21, 2024]
§ 546.204 - Expenses of maintaining blocked physical property; liquidation of blocked property.

(a) Except as otherwise authorized, and notwithstanding the existence of any rights or obligations conferred or imposed by any international agreement or contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date, all expenses incident to the maintenance of physical property blocked pursuant to § 546.201 shall be the responsibility of the owners or operators of such property, which expenses shall not be met from blocked funds.

(b) Property blocked pursuant to § 546.201 may, in the discretion of OFAC, be sold or liquidated and the net proceeds placed in a blocked interest-bearing account in the name of the owner of the property.

[74 FR 25432, May 28, 2009, as amended at 89 FR 15752, Mar. 5, 2024]
§ 546.205 -

(a) Any transaction on or after the effective date that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this part is prohibited.

(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate the prohibitions set forth in this part is prohibited.

[89 FR 15747, Mar. 5, 2024]
§ 546.206 - Exempt transactions.

(a) United Nations Participation Act. The exemptions described in this section do not apply to transactions involving property or interests in property of persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the authority of the United Nations Participation Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 287c) (UNPA).

Note 1 to paragraph (a):

Persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the authority of the UNPA include those listed on both OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) and the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List (UN List) (see https://www.un.org), as well as persons listed on the SDN List for being owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, persons listed on both the SDN List and the UN List.

(b) International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The prohibitions contained in this part do not apply to any transactions that are exempt pursuant to section 203(b) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)).

(c) Official business. The prohibitions contained in § 546.201(a)(3) do not apply to transactions for the conduct of the official business of the United States Government or the United Nations (and its Specialized Agencies, Programmes, Funds, and Related Organizations) by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.

Note 2 to § 546.206:

See § 546.510 for a general license authorizing transactions for the conduct of the official business of the United States Government not otherwise exempt.

Note 3 to § 546.206:

See § 546.511 for a general license authorizing transactions for the conduct of the official business of certain international organizations and entities not otherwise exempt.

[89 FR 15747, Mar. 5, 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; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 13067, 62 FR 59989, 3 CFR, 1997 Comp., p. 230; E.O. 13400, 71 FR 25483, 3 CFR, 2006 Comp., p. 220; E.O. 14098, 88 FR 29529
source: 74 FR 25432, May 28, 2009, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 31 CFR 546.203