Somalia sanctions: guidance
Statutory guidance for the Somalia sanctions regime, plus a summary of its purposes, scope and prohibitions.
Documents
Details
The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, and certain other regulations, are in force to implement certain UN obligations and to meet the UK’s policy objectives.
This summary gives a quick overview of the sanctions in place under the regime. It is not comprehensive and is not a replacement for the statutory guidance or the regulations themselves.
Summary
Regime is limited in scope to:
- sanctions in respect of designated persons
- sanctions in respect of:
- military goods and technology
- improvised explosive devices (IED) components goods and technology
- enabling or facilitating the conduct of armed hostilities in Somalia
- the import, purchase or transportation of charcoal
Designated persons
The UK Sanctions List tells you who is designated under the regime and which sanctions have been applied to them. A designated person can be an individual, a business or an organisation.
The statutory guidance lists in detail the sanctions that can apply in respect of designated persons, including:
- an asset freeze on their funds and other assets
- making available funds or economic resources to them or for their benefit
- director disqualification
- immigration sanction (travel ban)
Sanctioned goods and services
You must not export or otherwise supply or transfer to or for use in Somalia, or to a person connected with Somalia certain goods in these categories (this is not an exhaustive list):
- military, security and para-military goods, software and technology and arms, ammunition and related material
- improvised explosive devices (IED) components, goods and technology
Related financial services, brokering services and technical assistance may also be subject to sanctions.
You must not provide technical assistance, armed personnel, financial services or funds or brokering services that enable or facilitate the conduct of armed hostilities in Somalia.
You must not import or directly or indirectly acquire charcoal from Somalia (including charcoal originally consigned from Somalia).
Updates to this page
-
Added summary of the regime's purposes, scope and prohibitions.
-
Page has been updated for better clarity and usability. No material changes to text.
-
Page navigation has been updated for better usability. No material changes to text.
-
Reference to 'Import Case Management System' updated to 'Apply for an import licence' to reflect new service name.
-
These changes reflect the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 and taken together make a range of technical changes with the purpose of improving OFSI’s ability to gather intelligence on industry’s compliance with financial sanctions, strengthen OFSI’s enforcement powers, enable OFSI to conduct its licensing responsibilities more efficiently, and clarify financial sanctions legislation where there is existing uncertainty.
-
Updated guidance to reflect changes following United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2713 (2023).
-
Updated to reflect provisions of UN Humanitarian Exception SI
-
Updated to reflect UNSC resolutions
-
First published.