SanctionsLookupOFAC Sanctions List Explained (SDN & non-SDN lists)
The OFAC sanctions list is a collection of individuals, entities, vessels, aircraft, and digital asset addresses designated under U.S. sanctions programs. It is maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury responsible for administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions.
The list includes Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), Foreign Sanctions Evaders, and other sanctioned parties. When a person or entity appears on the OFAC sanctions list, U.S. persons are generally required to block property and refrain from engaging in prohibited transactions, making the list a central enforcement tool in U.S. sanctions compliance.
What is the OFAC sanctions list?
The OFAC sanctions list refers to the sanctions lists maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. It primarily includes the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, along with other related sanctions lists.
The list identifies individuals, companies, financial institutions, vessels, aircraft, and digital asset addresses subject to U.S. sanctions. When designated, their property under U.S. jurisdiction must be blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Types of OFAC sanctions lists
The most well-known OFAC sanctions list is the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. Individuals and entities on the SDN List are subject to full blocking sanctions, meaning their property and interests in property under U.S. jurisdiction must be frozen and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
In addition to the SDN List, OFAC maintains other sanctions lists. These include the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (SSI) List, which imposes directive-based restrictions rather than full blocking; the Foreign Sanctions Evaders (FSE) List; and the List of Foreign Financial Institutions Subject to Correspondent or Payable-Through Account Sanctions. These lists are often published together in OFAC's consolidated sanctions data, but the legal consequences depend on the specific program and designation.
OFAC sanctioned countries and programs
OFAC administers both country-based and list-based sanctions programs. Some jurisdictions are subject to comprehensive sanctions, such as Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Syria, where most transactions involving U.S. persons are broadly prohibited unless authorized by license. These programs are often referred to as "sanctioned countries," although the legal restrictions depend on the specific regulations in place.
In addition to comprehensive country programs, OFAC also implements program-based sanctions targeting specific governments, sectors, or activities within a country. Unlike list-based sanctions, which apply to named individuals or entities (such as those on the SDN List), country sanctions may restrict entire categories of transactions regardless of whether a party appears on the SDN List.
OFAC sanctions list search tool
Treasury still publishes the underlying SDN and consolidated sanctions data, and OFAC's own Sanctions List Search is the government reference for browsing those files. In practice you are solving the same problems: cover SDN plus the non-SDN lists that ship in consolidated data, catch typos and transliterations, and remember that sanctioned parties often appear under aliases rather than a single exact string.
For a fast, browser-based check on this site, use our free OFAC search tool. It is meant for the same ad hoc moment: validate a name, company, or crypto wallet against current SDN and non-SDN coverage before you move money or open a ticket, without replacing enterprise screening integrations, Treasury bulk downloads, or the controls your compliance program requires for production traffic.
How often is the OFAC list updated?
There is no fixed update schedule for the OFAC sanctions list. The list is updated whenever new designations, removals, or changes occur under U.S. sanctions programs, which means updates can happen at any time, sometimes daily.
Because of this, organizations should not rely on periodic checks alone. Ongoing monitoring and timely updates to screening systems are essential to ensure continued compliance with current sanctions designations.
Compliance implications
The OFAC sanctions list has direct compliance consequences for organizations subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Companies must screen customers, counterparties, and transactions against the SDN List and other OFAC sanctions lists to avoid engaging in prohibited dealings, which is one layer of U.S. sanctions duties in practice.
If a match involves a blocked person, property and interests in property must be frozen and reported to OFAC in accordance with regulatory requirements. The 50 Percent Rule further expands exposure by treating certain majority-owned entities as blocked, even if they are not listed by name.
OFAC has also designated cryptocurrency wallet addresses, meaning digital asset transactions must be screened alongside traditional payment flows. Failure to comply with screening, blocking, or reporting obligations can result in significant civil penalties and, in cases of willful misconduct, potential criminal liability.
FAQ
What is the OFAC list?
The OFAC list refers to the sanctions lists maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, including the SDN List and other related sanctions lists. It identifies individuals and entities subject to U.S. sanctions.
What countries are on the OFAC sanctions list?
OFAC administers sanctions programs targeting certain countries, such as Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Syria. Some programs impose comprehensive country-wide sanctions, while others target specific sectors or individuals.
How often is the OFAC list updated?
There is no fixed schedule. The OFAC sanctions list is updated whenever new designations, removals, or changes occur, which can happen at any time.
Does OFAC list crypto addresses?
Yes. OFAC has designated certain cryptocurrency wallet addresses and digital asset entities under sanctions programs. These designations carry the same blocking obligations as other SDN entries.
How is OFAC different from other sanctions lists?
OFAC is a U.S. authority, and its sanctions apply to U.S. persons and activities within U.S. jurisdiction. Other sanctions lists, such as those issued by the United Nations or the European Union, operate under separate legal frameworks and jurisdictions.