Mr. Sanctions

Category: SECO (Switzerland)

  • August 12, 2026: SECO updates its Moldova sanctions lists

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanctions notice: Moldova

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has published an amendment to the annex of the Ordinance of 28 June 2023 on measures relating to Moldova (SR 946.231.156.5).

    On 10 August 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The EAER has therefore updated SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), the sanctions database that is authoritative for Switzerland, and will publish the amendments on its website today. The measures enter into force today at 23:00.

    Financial intermediaries are required, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance, to implement the prohibitions, freeze the assets of sanctioned persons, and report the affected business relationships to SECO. Reporting to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary of the obligation to carry out additional clarifications under Art. 6 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) in the event of suspicion, and, if these suspicions cannot be dispelled, to immediately file a report without delay with the Money Laundering Reporting Office under Art. 9 AMLA.

    The update:

    Moldova_Delta_2026-08-10.pdfDownload

    The update files – PDF, XML

    The consolidated program list

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  • August 11, 2026: SECO updates its Sudan sanctions lists

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanctions notice: Sudan

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has amended Annex 2 of the Ordinance of 25 May 2005 on measures against Sudan (SR 946.231.18).

    On 10 August 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) amended Annex 2. The EAER has therefore updated SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), the sanctions database that is authoritative for Switzerland, and will urgently publish the update on its website today. The urgent amendments enter into force today at 23:00.

    The update:

    Sudan_Delta_2026-08-10.pdfDownload

    The update files – PDF, XML

    The consolidated program list

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  • August 11, 2026: SECO updates South Sudan sanctions

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated Sanctions Report: South Sudan

    The Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research (WBF) has amended Annex 2 to the Regulation of 12. August 2015 on measures against the Republic of South Sudan (SR 946.231.169.9).

    On the 10th August 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF changed the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The WBF has therefore adapted the sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, and will urgently publish the adjustment on its website today. The urgent changes come into force today, 11:00 p.m.


    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The update:

    Südsudan_Delta_2026-08-10Download

    The update files – PDF, XML

    The consolidated program list

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  • August 4, 2026: SECO catches up to UN Taliban sanctions changes

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanction message: Taliban

    The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has amended the list of sanctioned natural persons, undertakings and organizations of the Regulation of 21. March 2025 on measures against persons and organizations associated with the Taliban (SR 946.231.07).

    By decision of 30. In July 2026, the responsible UN Sanctions Committee amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The change is directly applicable in Switzerland. SECO therefore has on 31. July 2026 the sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, was adapted and the adjustment was published on its website.


    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The update notice:

    Taliban_Delta 2026-07-31Download

    Links to the update files – PDF, XML

    Link to the consolidated program list

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  • July 14, 2026: SECO updates 1 ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida sanctions listing

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanction message: ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda

    The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has amended the list of sanctioned natural persons, undertakings and organizations of the Regulation of 21. March 2025 on measures against persons and organizations associated with the organizations ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda (SR 946.231.08).

    By decision of 10. In July 2026, the responsible UN Sanctions Committee amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The amendment is directly applicable in Switzerland. SECO therefore has on 10. July 2026 the sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, was adapted and the adjustment was published on its website.

    The update:

    EIIL (Daech) et Al-Qaïda_Delta_2026-07-10Download

    The update files – PDF, XML

    The consolidated program list

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  • June 17, 2026: SECO updates its Hamas/PIJ sanctions designations

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanction notification

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) has adopted the Annex to the Ordinance of 10. April 2024 on measures against persons and organizations that support Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (SR 946.231.09).

    On the 15th On 1 June 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) amended the annex and today updated the sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, and published this update on its website. The measures take effect on 16. June 2026, at 11 p.m.


    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The update notice link goes here – not quite ready for prime time:

    Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against persons and organizations that support Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad

    Bern, 16.06.2026 — The Department of Economy, Education and Research WBF has on 15. June 2026, the annex to the Ordinance on Measures against Persons and Organizations Supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad was amended. Ten natural persons were newly added to the Annex. The measures take effect on 16. June 2026 at 11 p.m.

    Oh, look… there’s a link from that page to one specifically for this program…

    The real update notice:

    Hamas, Palästinensischer Islamischer Dschihad_Delta_2026-06-15Download

    Links:

    Update files – PDF, XML

    Consolidated program list

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  • June 18, 2026: SECO updates its Syrian sanctions – 18 amended persons, 4 amended entities, and 7 removed parties

    FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanction report: Syria

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF has amended Annex 7 to the Ordinance of 8. June 2012 on measures against Syria (SR 946.231.172.7).

    On the 15th On 1 June 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF changed the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The WBF has therefore adapted the SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management) database, which is relevant for Switzerland, and published the adjustment on its website. The measures take effect on 16. June 2026 at 11 p.m.


    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The update notice:

    Syrie_Delta_2026-06-15Download

    Links:

    Update files – PDF, XML

    Updated program list

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  • SECO program pages get a facelift

    I can’t really do this justice by cutting and pasting – but here’s the main panel of the new (translated) Russia sanctions page:

    Measures related to the situation in Ukraine

    The Federal Council has on 28. February 2022 decided to adopt the sanctions of the European Union (EU) against Russia and thus strengthen their effect. The existing regulation was therefore introduced on 4. March 2022 undergone a total revision.

    The Ordinance of 4. March 2022 on measures related to the situation in Ukraine (SR 946,231,176.72) contains all Swiss measures and is legally decisive.

    The measures include, among others:

    Sanctions of goods

    • Prohibitions on arms
    • Prohibitions on dual-usable goods
    • Prohibitions on goods for military and technological strengthening or for the development of the defense and security sector
    • Prohibitions regarding goods for the aerospace industry
    • Prohibitions concerning goods and technologies of maritime navigation
    • Prohibitions concerning goods for oil refining and liquefaction of natural gas
    • Prohibitions regarding goods for the completion of liquefied natural gas and crude oil projects
    • Prohibitions regarding goods and software for the energy sector
    • Prohibitions on goods to strengthen industry
    • Prohibitions on crude oil and petroleum products
    • Prohibitions regarding liquefied natural gas
    • Prohibition of imports of iron and steel products
    • Prohibitions regarding luxury goods
    • Prohibition of imports of economically significant goods
    • Prohibitions regarding gold
    • Bans on diamonds
    • Contractual obligation to prevent re-export

    Financial sanctions

    • Blocking of assets and prohibitions on provision
    • Reporting obligations for blocked assets
    • Prohibition of the issuance and trading of transferable securities and money market instruments
    • Prohibition of lending
    • Prohibition of the receipt of deposits in excess of 100,000 francs from Russian citizens or natural and legal persons in Russia and the provision of crypto services
    • Reporting obligation for existing deposits of more than 100,000 francs
    • Prohibition of the sale of effects
    • Prohibition of transactions with certain crypto assets
    • Prohibition of transactions with the Russian central bank
    • Prohibition of transactions with state-owned companies
    • Prohibition of transactions with plaintiffs of Russian arbitration
    • Prohibition of transactions with certain banks and organizations that undermine the purpose of sanctions
    • Prohibition of transactions with certain ports, locks and airports
    • Prohibition of transactions and co-financing with the Russian Direct Investment Fund
    • Prohibition of transactions with certain banks
    • Prohibitions on the provision of certain specialized messaging services for payment transactions
    • Ban on banknotes
    • Bans related to companies in the energy and mining sector in Russia
    • Prohibitions related to companies in specific special economy, innovation or preferential zones
    • Prohibition of financial support for Russian public institutions
    • Prohibitions concerning Trusts
    • Prohibitions concerning certain services and software

    Measures relating to specified areas

    • Prohibition of imports of goods originating in the designated areas without a certificate of origin issued by the Ukrainian authorities
    • Prohibition of exports of certain goods and related services to the designated areas
    • Prohibition of financing, participation and certain services

    Further measures

    • Prohibition of entry and transit
    • Take-off and landing ban for Russian aircraft
    • Prohibitions regarding advertising in certain Russian media
    • Prohibitions related to the award of public contracts
    • Prohibitions related to certain decisions of Russian courts
    • Prohibition of the fulfillment of certain requirements

    Annexes 1, 23 and 31

    • Annex 1
    • Annex 23
    • Annex 31

    Amendments to the sanctions lists of Annexes 2, 8 to 15c, 25, 33 and 35 to 37

    Only the three latest amendments to the annexes are published on the SECO website. Previous changes from the 28th July 2022 can be found on Fedlex, the publication platform of federal law: SR 946.231.176.72 – Ordinance of 4. March 2022 on measures related to the situation in Ukraine – Open page changes – Select desired change – Select “Publication of a text part by reference” – Download the appropriate version.

    In-depth information

    • Downloads
    • Export controls
    • Analyses and reports

    with a table of contents in a separate frame on the right side of the page. It’s a lot cleaner with a lot more whitespace, making it a lot more readable. I’m not totally sold on only listing the last 3 sets of updates but, as a practical matter it’s fine – if you really need the full history, you can click around and get it.

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  • June 16, 2026: SECO updates its Russia sanctions, too

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanction report: Russia

    The Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research WBF has amended Annex 8 of the Ordinance of 4. March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72).

    On the 15th On 1 June 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF amended Annex 8 of the Regulation and published the adjustments on its website. The measures come into force today at 11:00 p.m.


    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The Sanctions Notice:

    Situation en Ukraine_Delta_2026-06-15Download

    Links:

    Files of changes – PDF, XML

    Consolidated program list

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  • June 5, 2026: SECO changes 1 Sudan sanctions designation, removes 4

    The FINMA Notice:

    Updated sanction message: Sudan

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) has approved Annex 2 of the Ordinance of 25. May 2005 on measures against Sudan (SR 946.231.18).

    On the 4th June 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF amended Annex 2. The WBF has therefore adapted the sanctions database SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management), which is relevant for Switzerland, and will urgently publish the adjustment on its website today. The changes come into effect today, 11:00 p.m.

    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The sanctions list update:

    Sudan_Delta_2026-06-04Download

    Links:

    Files of changes – PDF, XML

    Updated program list

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