Mr. Sanctions

United States (US) Resources List

This page covers the primary United States governmental bodies that issue financial sanctions, trade sanctions, export controls, and related compliance content. Bodies covered include the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN). Resources were retrieved on May 25, 2026.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries, regimes, terrorists, narcotics traffickers, proliferators of WMDs, and other designated threat actors. OFAC operates under the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. Base URL: ofac.treasury.gov

Designated Persons Lists and Screening Tools

Legislation and Regulations

  • OFAC Legal Library — Central repository of legal authorities including the CFR, Executive Orders, Federal Register Notices, UN Security Council Resolutions, and U.S. Statutes.
  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) — Sanctions regulations in Title 31 of the CFR, organized by program (e.g., 31 CFR 515 for Cuba, 31 CFR 560 for Iran).
  • Executive Orders — Executive Orders underpinning OFAC sanctions programs, from foundational authorities to current program expansions.
  • Federal Register Notices — OFAC Federal Register notices including rulemakings, program updates, and penalty-related amendments.
  • UN Security Council Resolutions — UN resolutions implemented through OFAC sanctions programs.
  • United States Statutes — Primary legislative authorities for OFAC sanctions programs, including IEEPA, TWEA, and program-specific statutes.

Sanctions Programs and Regimes

  • Complete List of Sanctions Programs and Country Information — Full index of all OFAC-administered sanctions programs with program-specific guidance, regulations, and recent actions.
  • Russia-related Sanctions — Covers E.O.s 14024, 14066, 14068, and 14071, including directives, general licenses, and compliance guidance.
  • Iran Sanctions — Comprehensive program page including the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) and all related program materials.
  • North Korea Sanctions — Covers E.O. 13722, E.O. 13810, and related regulations and guidance.
  • Cuba Sanctions — Cuba Assets Control Regulations (CACR, 31 CFR Part 515), including general license categories, travel authorizations, and related FAQs.
  • Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions — Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations and Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations program page.
  • Cyber-related Sanctions — E.O. 13694 and E.O. 13757 cyber sanctions program materials, including designations and general licenses.
  • Venezuela-related Sanctions — E.O.s 13692, 13808, 13827, 13835, 13850, 13884, and related program materials and general licenses.

Compliance Guidance — General

Compliance Guidance — By Sector or Industry

Licensing — General Licences and Authorizations

  • Selected General Licenses Issued by OFAC — Index of current OFAC general licenses across all sanctions programs, including Russia, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Counter Terrorism, Cyber, and others.

Licensing — Application Procedures and Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

  • OFAC Frequently Asked Questions — Comprehensive FAQ database covering sanctions programs, list screening, licensing, compliance, reporting, and program-specific guidance; searchable by topic and program.

Enforcement Actions and Penalties

Advisories

Reporting and Voluntary Disclosure

  • OFAC Reporting System — Portal for reporting blocked and rejected transactions as required by OFAC regulations (31 CFR Part 501).
  • OFAC Self-Disclosure Portal — Streamlined online portal for submitting voluntary self-disclosures of potential sanctions violations to OFAC.

Blogs and News Feeds

  • Recent Actions — OFAC primary updates page listing all sanctions list changes, general license issuances, new FAQs, enforcement actions, and regulatory notices.
  • OFAC Press Releases — Treasury press releases related to OFAC sanctions actions and program announcements.
  • Sign Up for OFAC Email Alerts — Subscribe to receive OFAC email notifications for sanctions list updates and regulatory changes.

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

BIS, within the U.S. Department of Commerce, administers and enforces U.S. export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). BIS controls the export, reexport, and in-country transfer of dual-use items, software, and technology for national security, foreign policy, nonproliferation, and short supply reasons. BIS also enforces antiboycott regulations and administers Chemical Weapons Convention compliance programs. Base URL: media.bis.gov

Designated Persons Lists and Screening Tools

Legislation and Regulations

Trade Sanctions and Export Controls

Dual-Use Goods Controls

  • Chemical and Biological Controls — BIS guidance on EAR and Australia Group controls for chemical and biological precursors and agents with potential WMD applications.
  • Encryption Controls — BIS guidance on EAR controls for encryption items including License Exception ENC eligibility and mass-market provisions.
  • Deemed Exports — Guidance on deemed export controls: release of controlled technology or source code to foreign nationals within the United States.
  • Reexports and Exports from Abroad — BIS guidance on the extraterritorial application of the EAR to U.S.-origin items and foreign-made items incorporating U.S.-origin content above de minimis thresholds.

Compliance Guidance — General

  • Export Compliance Programs (ECPs) — BIS guidance on developing and maintaining an effective ECP, including the Eight Elements of an Effective Export Compliance Program.
  • Decision Tools — BIS interactive tools to help exporters determine licensing requirements under the EAR.
  • Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions — BIS guidance documents and FAQs covering EAR compliance, Entity List procedures, license exceptions, and encryption controls.
  • Advisory Opinions — BIS advisory opinions providing case-specific guidance on EAR applicability and licensing requirements.
  • Training Videos — BIS training videos on export control fundamentals, item classification, licensing procedures, and compliance program development.
  • Identify Red Flags — BIS guidance on transaction red flags indicating potential export control violations, drawn from enforcement case experience.

Licensing — Application Procedures and Forms

  • SNAP-R — Submit License Applications — BIS Simplified Network Application Process-Redesign system for EAR license application submissions and other regulatory filings.
  • BIS Forms Index — Index of BIS forms including BIS-748P (Multipurpose Application), BIS-711 (Statement by Ultimate Consignee), and supporting documentation templates.

Enforcement Actions and Penalties

Reporting and Voluntary Disclosure

Annual Reports and Statistics

  • BIS Annual Reports — Annual reports to Congress on BIS export control and enforcement activities, licensing statistics, and policy developments.
  • Export Enforcement: 2024 Year in Review — BIS Export Enforcement summary for 2024 covering major enforcement actions, criminal referrals, and penalty totals.

Blogs and News Feeds

  • BIS News and Updates — Primary BIS news feed covering rulemakings, enforcement actions, policy announcements, and export control developments.
  • Press Releases — BIS press releases on enforcement settlements, policy changes, and other official announcements.
  • Enforcement News — Filtered view of BIS news covering enforcement actions and administrative settlements.
  • Sign Up for BIS Email Notifications — Subscribe to BIS email updates on regulatory changes and export control developments.

U.S. Department of State — Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN)

The U.S. Department of State administers two sets of export-related and sanctions controls. DDTC, within the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, administers the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Arms Export Control Act (AECA), governing the export of defense articles, defense services, and related technical data. The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) administers U.S. nonproliferation sanctions under multiple statutory authorities, published in the Federal Register. Base URL (DDTC): pmddtc.state.gov

Designated Persons Lists and Screening Tools

  • AECA Debarred List — Parties debarred from ITAR-regulated defense trade activities; includes statutory debarments (AECA criminal convictions) and administrative debarments.
  • Nonproliferation Sanctions (ISN) — State Department ISN page listing parties sanctioned under INKSNA, AECA, and Executive Orders; Federal Register is the official and complete record.
  • Consolidated Screening List (CSL) — Multi-agency tool that includes the AECA Debarred List and ISN Nonproliferation Sanctions alongside OFAC SDN and BIS Entity List entries.

Legislation and Regulations

Trade Sanctions and Export Controls

  • DDTC Public Portal — DDTC primary public-facing portal for ITAR registration, license applications, compliance guidance, news and events, and FAQs.
  • Understand the ITAR — DDTC overview of ITAR requirements including the U.S. Munitions List (USML), registration, license and agreement applications, and brokering controls.

Compliance Guidance — General

Licensing — Application Procedures and Forms

  • ITAR Licensing Overview — DDTC entry point for export and temporary import license applications under the ITAR, including DSP-5, DSP-61, and Technical Assistance Agreement submissions via D-Trade.

Enforcement Actions and Penalties

  • DDTC News and Events — DDTC notices and announcements including consent agreements, debarment actions, policy updates, and ITAR-related Federal Register notices.

Retrieved: May 25, 2026