Guidance

The UK’s sanctions framework after 31 December 2020

Updated 31 December 2020

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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

For statutory guidance on prohibitions and requirements, see Current UK sanctions regimes.

For information on financial sanctions obligations, see financial sanctions guidance.

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.

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