Guidance

The UK’s sanctions framework after 31 December 2020

Updated 31 December 2020

© Crown copyright 2020

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sanctions-policy-after-31-december-2020/sanctions-policy-after-31-december-2020

The UK’s new sanctions framework came into force at 11pm on 31 December 2020

UK sanctions regimes are in force under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (the Sanctions Act). This legislation has enabled us to transition existing EU regimes into UK law and establish UK autonomous regimes. These apply in the whole of the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

The UK’s sanctions regulations include:

  • the purposes of the sanctions regime (what the UK hopes will be achieved through imposing sanctions)
  • the criteria for designating a person
  • the type of sanctions, such as trade and financial sanctions
  • details of exceptions or licensing provisions that may apply
  • how the government can enforce sanctions
  • other rules, such as reporting and record keeping obligations

The FCDO updated the UK Sanctions List at 11pm on 31 December 2020, which consists of all designations and ship specifications made under Sanctions Act Regulations.

We have also published guidance for each sanctions regime.

What you need to do

Check the new legislation and ensure you are compliant with its requirements, and read the sanctions regime guidance. Do not assume that all aspects of UK sanctions are exactly the same as the previous EU law.

More information

Find more information on UK sanctions regimes.

For more information on financial sanctions, contact the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation at OFSI@hmtreasury.gov.uk or subscribe to OFSI’s e-alerts.

For more information on export controls, contact the Export Control Joint Unit Helpline on +44 (0) 20 7215 4594 or email exportcontrol.help@trade.gov.uk or subscribe to the Export Control Joint Unit’s notices to exporters.

For further information on immigration sanctions: contact the Home Office on public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.

For more information on transport sanctions contact the Department for Transport on transportsanctions@dft.gov.uk.

For general information on sanctions, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Sanctions Unit on sanctions@fcdo.gov.uk.

Back to top