From the OFSI Blog post from yesterday:

What does good breach reporting look like?

Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation, 16 December 2025 – Trade Sanctions

Why does reporting matter? 

The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) is responsible for enforcing UK trade sanctions relating to sanctioned services and the movement of sanctioned goods overseas. These sanctions are restrictive measures set by government to comply with UN obligations, promote international peace, support national security, and prevent terrorism. Sometimes, businesses or individuals may find out about a possible breach of these sanctions. When this happens, OTSI wants to hear from you.  

If you’re a provider of financial or legal services, or a money service business, you have a legal obligation to report suspected breaches of trade sanctions. However, anybody else can voluntarily submit a report. If you think you, or someone else, may have breached trade sanctions, you can find out more information on how to report a suspected breach. 

Any report should include the following: 

• Contact details: Your name and email address
• Details of the suspected breacher: The name and address of the business or person you suspect of breaching trade sanctions
• Other parties’ details: The name and contact details (if they are known) of other people and businesses also involved in the activity
• Supporting documents: Attach any emails, contracts, or other papers that help explain the situation. The more you can share, the better

OTSI has already received a large number of breach reports since its launch in October 2024. Reporters use our online reporting tool in different ways. None of these are wrong or unhelpful, as most reports assist in building a picture of breaches, evasion and wider behaviour.  

As well as reporting suspected breaches, a previous blog also highlighted the role that reporting ‘near misses’ can have in strengthening trade sanctions compliance. 

 There are important elements of breach reports that help OTSI to promote compliance with UK trade sanctions. Below, we detail what a useful breach report looks like. 

What does a useful breach report look like? 

OTSI investigates and carefully assesses potential trade sanctions breaches. This involves developing a complete understanding of the suspected activity. Questions we want answers to are: 

1) When did the activity take place?  

2) Who are the parties involved?  

3) What specific good or service was provided? 

We want to make reporting as easy as possible. Here are a few things that make a useful report: 

• UK nexus: Clearly state how the activity is connected to the UK. Did it happen in the UK, or involve a UK company or UK person overseas?  
• Clear narrative: Explain what happened in your own words. Simple, honest details are best
• Sanctions prohibition: If you know which rule or rules may have been broken, let us know. If you aren’t sure, that’s fine too
• Contact with other authorities: If you inform or intend to inform other public bodies, please mention this in your report
• Supporting documents: These can be the difference between a useful report and a comprehensive report

What not to include in a breach report 

In general, OTSI does not require information that lacks a clear connection to the UK. However, if you are uncertain, it is better to report than not. 

Keep things simple and clear. Use plain English. Tell us what you know. We would rather get a short report than nothing at all. 

Remember: good reporting helps OTSI enforce trade sanctions and helps you too. The more comprehensive the initial report, the less likely it is we will need to contact you to clarify something.  

OTSI welcomes all reports 

OTSI values openness and honesty. If you think a trade sanctions regulation may have been breached, please submit a report to us. You don’t need to be an expert – any information helps, and more detail reduces follow-up questions. Your information could help boost the effectiveness of UK sanctions, and every report is handled carefully.