Guidance

Financial sanctions: guidance

Information on the approach OFSI takes to financial sanctions including sector and regime specific guidance, as well as information on monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions.

From:
HM Treasury and Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation
Published
29 May 2013
Last updated
8 June 2022 — See all updates

Documents

Financial sanctions: general guidance

PDF, 1.35 MB, 39 pages

OFSI enforcement and monetary penalties guidance - in force 15 June 2022

PDF, 1.56 MB, 27 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Russia guidance

PDF, 9.02 MB, 11 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Libya guidance

PDF, 4.35 MB, 5 pages

Guidance for the charity sector

PDF, 669 KB, 13 pages

Maritime guidance

PDF, 320 KB, 12 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Guidance for the import and export sector

PDF, 980 KB, 10 pages

Details

General guidance

The general guidance document includes information regarding:

  • businesses’ obligations to financial sanctions regulations
  • OFSI’s processes for licence applications and breach reports

Monetary penalty guidance

The guidance on monetary penalties outlines OFSI’s processes for issuing monetary penalties for financial sanctions breaches, including:

  • the case assessment process
  • penalty calculation process
  • procedural rights

Please note the enforcement guidance applies to all cases where a financial sanctions breach has taken place on or after 00:00 15 June 2022.

Previous versions of the monetary penalty guidance can be found on gov.uk.

Russia guidance

Guidance for the financial and investment restrictions in Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Libya guidance

Financial sanctions guidance for the Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

Guidance for the charity sector

The guidance for the charity sector helps clarify what activity may be permitted under an OFSI licence and how to apply. It also promotes various sources of information and advice available to charities and NGOs.

Maritime guidance

Financial sanctions guidance for entities and individuals operating within the maritime shipping sector.

Guidance for the import and export sector

The guidance for the import and export sector helps clarify how financial sanctions differ from trade sanctions, including how to apply for a licence from OFSI and DIT.

To receive notifications when guidance has been updated, subscribe to our e-alerts. Please be aware that we do not offer legal advice.

If you can’t find the information you need, OFSI’s helpline and email service may be able to help you. Contact details are available on OFSI’s homepage.

Published 29 May 2013
Last updated 8 June 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added OFSI enforcement guidance June 2022

  2. Updated Russia guidance to extend prohibitions to non-government controlled Ukrainian territory

  3. Updated with latest version of 'Financial sanctions: general guidance'.

  4. Updated Russia guidance.

  5. Updates to 'Monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions: guidance' and 'Guidance for the charity sector'.

  6. Updated "Guidance for the charity sector".

  7. Updated Russia guidance

  8. Updated with April 2021 version of Monetary Penalty guidance

  9. Updated with Libya guidance

  10. Updated to reflect end of EU Exit transition period

  11. Updated with 'Maritime guidance'

  12. Updated with 'Financial sanctions: general guidance'

  13. Added Russia guidance

  14. Updated with latest version of 'Monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions: guidance'

  15. Updated with FAQ guidance for the import and export sector

  16. Updated sections 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 in 'Financial sanctions: general guidance'

  17. Updated to include Charity FAQ

  18. Updated quick guide to fix broken hyperlink

  19. Updated with the OFSI quick guide on key information regarding the obligations of businesses and individuals in relation to financial sanctions.

  20. Updated to improve clarity of information displayed

  21. Updated monetary penalties PDF – cover picture added

  22. Updated to bring the monetary penalties guidance document together with the general guidance.

  23. Added link to OFSI's guidance on the imposition of monetary penalties.

  24. Guidance updated to reflect the publication of new guidance on the imposition of monetary penalties

  25. New section 4.4 added making clear that OFSI expects all designated persons planning to visit the UK to possess an appropriate licence to support themselves legally while in the country.

  26. Updated guidance

  27. FAQs updated to reflect the latest notice Iran (Nuclear Proliferation): economic and financial sanctions relief under the JCPoA

  28. updated FAQs doc

  29. First published.

Related content

Invasion of Ukraine