The CAPTA list was created in March 2019 to implement certain trading restrictions on foreign financial institutions which are subject to correspondent or payable-through account sanctions pursuant to the Ukrainian, Russian, Iranian and Lebanon sanctions programmes.
Sanction Name
CAPTA Sanctions
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
Restrictions vary from entity to entity. The CAPTA List specifies the specific prohibition or strict conditions to which the foreign financial institutions are subject.
Exemptions
Links 1
The US has operated sanctions programmes targeting major narcotics suppliers, primarily in Latin America, since the mid-1990s.
On 20th February 2025, OFAC sanctioned eight cartels and transnational organisations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). These included Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas), La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cártel de Golfo (Gulf Cartel), and Cárteles Unidos.
On 4th March 2025, OFAC sanctioned Iran-based Behrouz Parsarad (Parsarad), the sole administrator of Nemesis, an online darknet marketplace, which was subject of an international law enforcement operation and was taken down in 2024. Prior to its takedown by law enforcement, narcotics traffickers and cybercriminals openly traded in illegal drugs and services on Nemesis, which was designed with built-in money laundering features. Nemesis had over 30,000 active users and 1,000 vendors and facilitated the sale of nearly $30 million worth of drugs around the world between 2021 and 2024, including to the United States.
On 31st March 2025, OFAC sanctioned designated six individuals and seven entities involved in a money laundering network supporting the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious and violent drug trafficking organisation and a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This action was taken pursuant to E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, covering both counter terrorism and counter narcotics.
Sanction Name
Narcotics Sanctions Program
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Any foreign person determined to be involved in international narcotics trafficking or supporting such activities.
Exemptions
Links 1
A range of counter terrorist sanctions programmes have been imposed by the UN and in a number of global jurisdictions, intensifying in the years following the 2001 attacks on New York by Al-Qaeda and the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
On 21st March 2025, SECO split its counter terrorism sanctions lists targeting those with links to the Taliban and those with links to ISIL and Al-Qaeda.
Sanction Name
UN Sanctions for Preventing Terrorism
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities deemed to be linked to or supporting Al-Qaeda or ISIS/Daesh.
Exemptions
1. The travel ban does not apply where entry or transit is necessary for the fulfilment of a judicial process.
2. Exemptions to the Asset Freeze for basic and extraordinary expenses may be applied by the Daesh and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee on a case by case basis.
On 8th October 2024, the EU extended its sanctions programme against ISIL/Da’esh and Al Qaeda for a further year until 31st October 2025.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Directed Against Certain Persons And Entities With A View To Combating Terrorism
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Those determined to be involved in the preparation, carrying out or funding of acts of terrorism, including any entities deemed to be associated with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, ISIS/Daesh or the Taliban. Includes prohibitions on travel and the provision of arms or related materiel to these entities.
Exemptions
1. Travel ban exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds, for the purpose of a judicial process or where a member state is bound by an obligation towards an international organisation.
2. Asset freeze exemptions are also permitted for humanitarian purposes, basic expenses, the provision of legal and professional services, fees for holding of frozen funds and for the satisfaction of judicial, administrative or arbitral liens or judgments dated before the party in question was listed.
Sanction Name
Measures against entities and persons supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities supporting Hamas of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This programme includes asset freezes and travel bans.
Exemptions
1. Asset freeze exemptions can be granted to protect Swiss interests or prevent cases of rigor. Travel ban exemptions may be granted to protect Swiss interests.
Sanction Name
Measures against entities and persons linked to Osama bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda group or the Taliban
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities linked to Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda or the Taliban. This programme includes a prohibition on the supply of arms and related material and travel bans.
Exemptions
1. Asset freeze exemptions can be granted to protect Swiss interests or prevent cases of rigor. Travel ban exemptions may be granted to protect Swiss interests.
On 6th February 2025, OFAC sanctioned an international network for facilitating the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The oil was shipped on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its sanctioned front company, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars (Sepehr Energy). The action included entities and individuals in multiple jurisdictions, including the PRC, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as several vessels.
On 20th February 2025, OFAC sanctioned eight cartels and transnational organisations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). These included Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas), La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cártel de Golfo (Gulf Cartel), and Cárteles Unidos.
On 5th March 2025, OFAC sanctioned seven high-ranking members of the Houthis involved in smuggling military-grade items and weapon systems into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and negotiating Houthi weapons procurements from Russia. OFAC also designated one Houthi-affiliated operative and his company that have recruited Yemeni civilians to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine and generated revenue to support the Houthis’ militant operations.
On 28th March 2025, OFAC designated five individuals and three associated companies involved in a Lebanon-based sanctions evasion network supporting the Hizballah finance team.
On 31st March 2025, OFAC sanctioned designated six individuals and seven entities involved in a money laundering network supporting the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious and violent drug trafficking organisation and a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This action was taken pursuant to E.O. 14059 and E.O. 13224, covering both counter terrorism and counter narcotics.
Sanction Name
Executive Orders Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Foreign persons determined to have committed or to pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals or the national security, foreign policy or economy of the US and those providing material support to such activities.
Exemptions
1. OFAC authorises certain transactions, the majority of which relate to activities concerning the Palestinian authority, concerning such areas as travel, employment, residence and maintenance; for the payment of taxes and incidental fees; and if they are necessary for the conclusion of activities with the Authority. US persons are also permitted to donate medicine to the Palestinian Authority and authorised to engage in transactions with several entities and individuals within the Palestinian Authority Presidency, Palestinian Judiciary and Palestinian Legislative Council.
2. OFAC permits humanitarian transactions in Iran with the direct or indirect involvement of the Central Bank of Iran.
3. OFAC also permits payments from funds originating from outside the United States for the provision of certain legal services to or on behalf of blocked persons. Transactions involving property and interests in the property of the Government of Iran or Iranian financial institutions are also authorised.
4. General Licence 8, introduced on 27th February 2020, permits certain humanitarian transactions that involve the Central Bank of Iran, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by OFAC.
5. On 10th December 2021 OFAC issued General License 16 which authorised transactions involving the Taliban or the Haqqani Network that are necessary to the transfer of non-commercial personal remittances to Afghanistan.
6. On 22nd December 2021 OFAC issued General Licenses 17, 18, and 19 adding to the exemption for personal remittance an exemption for the provision of humanitarian assistance to a range of civil society bodies under the control of the Taliban or Haqqani network.
7. On 15th November 2022 OFAC issued General License 21 authorising limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain vessels that are prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. On 14th December 2022 OFAC issued General License 21A updating the exemptions laid out in General License 21.
8. On 12th January 2023 OFAC issued General License 21B, authorising until 13th April 2023 limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain individuals and vessels which are subject to Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. This includes transactions necessary to the safe docking and anchoring of any of the sanctioned vessels in port; the preservation of the health and safety of the crew of any sanctioned vessel; emergency repairs of any sanctioned vessel; or environmental mitigation or protection activities related to any sanctioned vessel.
Links 1
Sanction Name
Non-SDN Palestinian Legislative Council Sanctions
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
US financial institutions are required to reject transactions with members of the Palestinian Legislative Council who were elected on the party slate of Hamas, or any other Foreign Terrorist Organization, Specially Designated Terrorist, or Specially Designated Global Terrorist, provided that any such individuals are not named on OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List).
Exemptions
US sanctions programmes targeting cyber-related activities were first instituted by executive order in 2015 and strengthened by additional measures the following year.
On 16th May 2022, the EU extended its cyber sanctions regime for three years until 18th May 2025.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Against Cyber-Attacks Threatening The Union or its Member States
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
• Individuals and/or entities responsible for cyber-attacks or attempted cyber-attacks, as well as those involved in or offering financial, technical or material support for these attacks and those who assist, encourage, facilitate or are associated with them.
Exemptions
On 3rd January 2025, OFAC designated Integrity Technology Group, Incorporated (Integrity Tech), a Beijing-based cybersecurity company, for its role in multiple computer intrusion incidents against US victims. These incidents have been publicly attributed to Flax Typhoon, a Chinese malicious state-sponsored cyber group that has been active since at least 2021, often targeting organisations within US critical infrastructure sectors.
On 17th January 2025, OFAC sanctioned Yin Kecheng, a Shanghai-based cyber actor who was involved with the recent Department of the Treasury network compromise, and Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co., LTD., a Sichuan-based cybersecurity company with direct involvement in the Salt Typhoon cyber group, which recently compromised the network infrastructure of multiple major US telecommunication and internet service provider companies.
On 11th February 2025, OFAC, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office jointly designated Zservers, a Russia-based bulletproof hosting (BPH) services provider, for its role in supporting LockBit ransomware attacks. LockBit, a Russia-based ransomware group best known for its ransomware variant of the same name, is one of the most deployed ransomware variants and was responsible for the November 2023 attack against the Industrial Commercial Bank of China U.S. broker-dealer.
On 5th March 2025, OFAC sanctioned Zhou Shuai, a Shanghai-based malicious cyber actor and data broker, and his company, Shanghai Heiying Information Technology Company, Limited (Shanghai Heiying). In collaboration with another malicious cyber actor, U.S.-sanctioned Yin Kecheng, Zhou Shuai illegally acquired, brokered, and sold data from highly sensitive U.S. critical infrastructure networks.
On 21st March 2025, OFAC delisted Tornado Cash after a review of legal and policy issues raised by the use of financial sanctions against financial and commercial activity occurring within evolving technology and legal environments.
Sanction Name
Specially Designated National of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Individuals involved in cyber-enabled activities likely to contribute to a significant threat to US national security, foreign policy, economic health or financial stability. This includes the theft of trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information and those who benefit from such theft.
Exemptions
1. On 2nd February 2017 OFAC issued a general licence authorising transactions with Russia’s FSB to a value of under $5,000, provided that any transfer of goods or technology subject to Export Administration Regulations is licensed by the Department of Commerce.
2. On March 2nd 2021 OFAC issued General License 1B permitting certain transactions with the FSB for administrative reasons, as long as said transactions do not exceed $5,000 per calendar year.
Links 1
The US-programme on foreign election interference was precipitated by allegations that Russia sought to manipulate the result of the country’s 2016 Presidential election, which saw Donald Trump secure the office.
Sanction Name
Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Any foreign person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General and the Security of Homeland Security to have directly or indirectly engaged in foreign interference in a US election. Those deemed to have provided financial assistance or technological support for above persons are also sanctioned.
Exemptions
Since 2012 the US has published a list of foreign individuals and entities determined to have violated, attempted to violate, conspired to violate, or caused violations of US sanctions on Syria or Iran.
Sanction Name
Foreign Sanctions Evaders List
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
• Transactions by US persons or within the US involving individuals and entities on the Foreign Sanctions Evaders list are prohibited.
Exemptions
In December 2020 the EU introduced its new Global Human Rights sanctions programme to target state and non-state actors guilty of human rights abuses.
On 4th December 2023 the European Council prolonged its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for three years until 8th December 2026.
Sanction Name
Global Human Rights Sanctions
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban
• Any individuals, entities or bodies responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they occurred. It applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses. Other human rights violations or abuses can also fall under the scope of this sanctions regime, if they are widespread, systematic or otherwise of serious concern as regards the objectives of the EU common foreign and security policy.
Exemptions
The Global Magnitsky act, signed into law in 2016 by then US-President Donald Trump, extends the principles of the Magnitsky sanctions programme to all global actors.
On 7th January 2025, OFAC sanctioned Antal Rogan, a senior Hungarian government official, for his involvement in corruption in Hungary.
Sanction Name
Specially Designated Nationals on Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Individuals determined to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, certain human rights abuses or corrupt acts anywhere in the world.
• On 20th December 2017 an Executive Order was issued by then-President Trump, declaring a national emergency with respect to serious human rights abuses and corruption globally, and implementing the provisions of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, signed into law on 23rd December 2016. The sanctions, effective from 21st December 2017, comprise financial sanctions and visa restrictions on persons deemed to be corrupt or accountable for human rights abuses.
Exemptions
1. General License 5 authorises certain transactions relating to Frigorifico Chajha SAE, and General License 6 authorises the wind down of transactions involving Bebidas USA Inc, Tabacos USA Inc, Frigorifico Chajha SAE, Dominica Acquisition SA, or certain blocked entities owned by Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara.
2. General Licence 7,authorises certain transactions involving Tabacalera del Este SA or Tabacos USA Inc pursuant to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
3. General License 8 authorises transactions involving any entity
that is blocked solely due to a property interest of Ly Yong Phat (Ly) or L.Y.P. Group Co., LTD (L.Y.P. Group) or any entity in which Ly or L.Y.P. Group owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest.
Links 1
On 19th July 2022 OFAC introduced a new sanctions programme to bolster efforts to bring hostages and wrongfully detained US nationals home.
On 25th March 2025, OFAC sanctioned three Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) officials who were involved in the abduction, detention, and probable death of former FBI Special Agent Robert A. “Bob” Levinson. The individuals designated, Reza Amiri Moghadam, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, and Taqi Daneshvar, all played a role in Levinson’s abduction, probable death, and Iran’s efforts to cover up or obfuscate their responsibility.
Sanction Name
Bolstering Efforts To Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained United States Nationals Home
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban
• Any individuals, entities or bodies found to be responsible for or complicit in, to have directly or indirectly engaged in, or to be responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the hostage-taking of a United States national or the wrongful detention of a United States national abroad.
Exemptions
Magnitsky sanctions were imposed by the US in 2012 specifically targeting officials involved in the death of Russian accountant Sergei Magnitsky. Magnitsky died in 2009 while being detained in relation to an investigation by Russian law enforcement into the alleged theft of state assets by brokerage firm Hermitage Capital. He is alleged to have been tortured while in detention and the investigation itself is alleged to have been politically motivated.
Sanction Name
Magnitsky Rule Of Law Accountability Act Of 2012
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Russian officials determined to be responsible for Magnitsky’s death in custody.
• On 21st December 2017 OFAC added regulations to implement certain provisions of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. These included prohibited transactions involving blocked property; effect of transfers violating such provisions; the holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts, as well as those used for investment and re-investment; expenses of maintaining blocked physical property and liquidation of such property; evasions, attempts, causing violations and conspiracies; and exempt transactions.
Exemptions
Non-proliferation sanctions are operated by the US and the EU, targeting users and developers of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
On 14th October 2024, the EU extended its chemical weapons sanctions regime for one year until 16th October 2025.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Against The Proliferation And Use Of Chemical Weapons
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban
• Any individuals or entities responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons as well as those who provide financial, technical or material support for such activities and those who assist or who are associated with them.
Exemptions
1. Travel ban exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds, for the attendance of intergovernmental meetings or for the fulfilment of judicial processes.
On 26th February 2025, OFAC sanctioned six entities based in Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), engaged in the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components on behalf of OFAC-designated Iranian firm Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB) and its subsidiary Narin Sepehr Mobin Isatis (NSMI). These entities operate as front companies and facilitate the purchase and shipment of key components for the benefit of PKGB and NSMI, which serve as key suppliers for Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile programs.
Sanction Name
Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Any individuals found to be involved in the proliferation of material or knowledge relating to the construction of weapons of mass destruction and their wider support networks.
Exemptions
1. Under five General Licences, OFAC authorises certain transactions related to the arrest, detention and judicial sale of six specific vessels on its SDN list.
2. On 30th September 2020 OFAC issued amendments to the programme entitled Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters.
Links 1
OFAC and SECO both operate sanctions programmes in support of the Kimberley Process, which seeks to eliminate blood diamonds from the global market.
Sanction Name
Rough Diamond Trade Restrictions
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
• The importation, export and storage of rough diamonds requires a tamper-proof certificate. Trade in rough diamonds is allowed only with countries participating in the Kimberly Process.
Exemptions
Sanction Name
Rough Diamonds Control Regulations
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
• Prohibits the importation into and export from the US of any rough diamonds not controlled through the Kimberley Process.
Exemptions
OFAC operates sanctions against international criminal groups deemed to threaten the country’s national security.
On 12th March 2025, OFAC sanctioned the Foxtrot Network, a transnational criminal organization (TCO) primarily based in Sweden that has trafficked illicit drugs and that carried out attacks on Israelis and Jews in Europe, along with its fugitive leader Rawa Majid. In January 2024, the Foxtrot Network orchestrated an attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, on behalf of the Government of Iran.
On 18th March 2025, OFAC sanctioned Jumilca Sandivel Hernandez Perez (Hernandez Perez), a key leader of the Lopez Human Smuggling Organization (HSO), a Guatemala-based Transnational Criminal Organization responsible for the smuggling of thousands of illegal migrants from Guatemala, through Mexico, and into the United States.
Sanction Name
Specially Designated Nationals of Transnational Criminal Organizations
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Foreign entities determined to constitute significant transnational criminal organisations or to have materially assisted such organisations.
Exemptions
