On September 8, 2022, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a revised Russia-related General License (GL) 13B, “Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024,” which states that U.S. persons are authorized to pay taxes, fees, or import duties and purchase or receive permits,
Russia
Price Cap to Be Placed on Russian Oil in Response to Continued Aggression in Ukraine
In the latest effort to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, on September 2, 2022, the G7 Finance Ministers issued a statement confirming their intention to finalize and implement a price cap with respect to Russian-origin oil. As described, the plan would implement a comprehensive prohibition of services which enable maritime transportation of Russian-origin crude oil…
OFAC Issues Russia-Related General Licenses
On August 19, 2022, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued two Russia-related General Licenses (GL) authorizing certain limited activities with Russian financial institutions which have been blocked and designated on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List.
Placement on the SDN List results in all property and interests in property…
BIS Issues FAQs to Address Evasion and Diversion Concerns
On August 16, 2022, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued several new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) addressing potential red flags for diversion concerns.
Regarding semiconductor foundries, one FAQ asks if there any special red flags that should be considered with regard to parties (e.g., integrated circuit designers) on the Entity…
OFAC Designates Additional Russian Persons and Entities for Sanctions and Issues Russia-Related General Licenses
On August 2, 2022, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added further Russian individuals, entities and vessels to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. The designations include numerous Russian individuals connected to Russia President Vladimir Putin, as well as multinational companies Investitsionnaya Kompaniya MMK-FINANS (an investment and financial copany) and…
OFAC Authorizes Provision of Tax Preparation Services to U.S. Individuals Located in Russia
On July 14, 2022, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License (GL) 44 authorizing transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of tax preparation or filing services to any…
OFAC Authorizes Transactions Involving SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (formerly Gazprom Germania GmbH)
On July 14, 2022, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License (GL) 30A authorizing transactions through December 16, 2022 involving SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (formerly known as Gazprom Germania GmbH) or any entity in which SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH owns, directly or indirectly, a 50…
Department of Treasury Releases Amended General License 6B and a New Fact Sheet on Agricultural Trade with Russia
On July 14, 2022, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released a food security fact sheet on Russian sanctions and agricultural trade and an amended General License (GL) 6B to broaden the scope of the authorizations relating to transactions involving agricultural and medical products. The Department’s press release emphasized that “[a]gricultural…
OFAC Sanctions Additional Russian Entities and Persons
On June 28, 2022, The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 70 entities and 29 individuals involved in Russia’s defense industrial base. In addition, the Department of State impose visa restrictions on 511 Russian military officers, and sanctioned an additional 45 entities and 29 individuals. The designations and placement of…
BIS Adds 36 Entities to the Entity List for Support of Russia, Iran and End-Uses with Military Applications
On June 28, 2022, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a Final Rule placing 36 entities on the Entity List for engaging in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. These entities will be listed on the BIS Entity List under the destinations…

