Somalia Sanctions Regulations
| Published date | 28 April 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 22346 |
| Record Number | 2021-08836 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | Foreign Assets Control Office |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 80 (Wednesday, April 28, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 28, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22346-22357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08836]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of Foreign Assets Control
31 CFR Part 551
Somalia Sanctions Regulations
AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) is amending the Somalia Sanctions Regulations and
reissuing them in their entirety to further implement an April 12, 2010
Somalia-related Executive order, and to implement a July 20, 2012
Somalia-related Executive order. This final rule replaces the
regulations that were published in abbreviated form on May 5, 2010 and
includes additional interpretive and definitional guidance, general
licenses, statements of licensing policy, and other regulatory
provisions that will provide further guidance to the public. Due to the
number of regulatory sections being updated or added, OFAC is reissuing
the Somalia Sanctions Regulations in their entirety.
DATES: This rule is effective April 28, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OFAC: Assistant Director for
Licensing, 202-622-2480; Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs,
202-622-4855; or Assistant Director for Sanctions Compliance &
Evaluation, 202-622-2490.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Availability
This document and additional information concerning OFAC are
available on OFAC's website (www.treasury.gov/ofac).
Background
On May 5, 2010, OFAC issued the Somalia Sanctions Regulations, 31
CFR part 551 (75 FR 24394, May 5, 2010) (the ``Regulations''), to
implement Executive Order (E.O.) 13536 of April 12, 2010, ``Blocking
Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Somalia''
(75 FR 19869, April 15, 2010), pursuant to authorities delegated to the
Secretary of the Treasury in E.O. 13536. The Regulations were initially
issued in abbreviated form for the purpose of providing immediate
guidance to the public. OFAC is revising the Regulations to further
implement E.O. 13536 and to implement E.O. 13620 of July 20, 2012,
``Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With
Respect to Somalia'' (77 FR 43483, July 24, 2012), which amended E.O.
13536. OFAC is amending and reissuing the Regulations as a more
comprehensive set of regulations that includes additional interpretive
and definitional guidance, general licenses, statements of licensing
policy, and other regulatory provisions that will provide further
guidance to the public. Due to the number of regulatory sections being
updated or added, OFAC is reissuing the Regulations in their entirety.
E.O. 13536
On April 12, 2010, the President, invoking the authority of, inter
alia, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-
1706) (IEEPA) and the United Nations Participation Act, as amended (22
U.S.C. 287c) (UNPA), issued E.O. 13536. In E.O. 13536, the President
found that the deterioration of the security situation and the
persistence of violence in Somalia, and acts of piracy and armed
robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, and violations of a United
Nations arms embargo, constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to
the national security and foreign policy of the United States and
declared a national emergency to deal with that threat.
Section 1(a) of E.O. 13536 blocked, with certain exceptions, all
property and interests in property that are in the United States, that
come within the United States, or that are or come within the
possession or control of any U.S. person of: (i) The persons listed in
the Annex to E.O. 13536; and (ii) any person determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:
(A) To have engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the
peace, security, or stability of Somalia, including: (1) Acts that
threaten the Djibouti Agreement of August 18, 2008, or the political
process; or (2) acts that threaten the Transitional Federal
Institutions, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), or other
international peacekeeping operations related to Somalia; (B) to have
obstructed the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, or
access to, or distribution of, humanitarian assistance in Somalia; (C)
to have directly or indirectly supplied, sold, or transferred to
Somalia, or to have been the recipient in the territory of Somalia of,
arms or any related materiel, or any technical advice, training, or
assistance, including financing and financial assistance, related to
military activities; (D) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or
provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or
goods or services in support of, the activities described above or any
person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to
E.O. 13536; or (E) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or
purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any
person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to
E.O. 13536. The property and interests in property of the persons
described above may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or
otherwise dealt in. As discussed further below, section 1(a) of E.O.
13536 was amended by E.O. 13620.
In Section 1(b) of E.O. 13536, the President determined that acts
of piracy or armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia threaten the
peace, security, or stability of Somalia.
In Section 1(c) of E.O. 13536, the President further determined
that the making of donations of certain articles, such as food,
clothing, and medicine, intended to be used to relieve human suffering,
as specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by,
to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13536 would seriously impair his
ability to deal with the national emergency declared in E.O. 13536. The
President therefore prohibited the provision of such donations unless
authorized by OFAC.
Section 1(d) of E.O. 13536 provides that the prohibition on any
transaction or dealing in blocked property or interests in property
includes the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods,
or services by, to, or for
[[Page 22347]]
the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to E.O. 13536, and the receipt of any contribution or
provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
Section 2 of E.O. 13536 prohibits any transaction by a U.S. person
or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of
evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any
of the prohibitions set forth in E.O. 13536, as well as any conspiracy
formed to violate such prohibitions.
Section 3 of E.O. 13536 provides definitions for certain terms used
in the order.
Section 5 of E.O. 13536 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury,
in consultation with the Secretary of State, to take such actions,
including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all
powers granted to the President by IEEPA and the UNPA, as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes of E.O. 13536. Section 5 also
provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these
functions to other officers and agencies of the U.S. Government.
E.O. 13620
On July 20, 2012, pursuant to, inter alia, IEEPA and the UNPA, the
President issued E.O. 13620. In E.O. 13620, the President took
additional steps regarding the national emergency with respect to the
situation in Somalia declared in E.O. 13536, in view of United Nations
Security Council Resolution 2036 of February 22, 2012, and Resolution
2002 of July 29, 2011, and to address: Exports of charcoal from
Somalia, which generate significant revenue for al-Shabaab; the
misappropriation of Somali public assets; and certain acts of violence
committed against civilians in Somalia, all of which contribute to the
deterioration of the security situation and the persistence of violence
in Somalia. E.O. 13620 amends E.O. 13536, by replacing subsection
(1)(a) of E.O. 13536 in its entirety but does not amend the Annex to
E.O. 13536 as originally issued, and imposes new prohibitions.
New section 1(a) of E.O. 13536 as amended by E.O. 13620 (``amended
E.O. 13536'') blocks, with certain exceptions, all property and
interests in property that are in the United States, that come within
the United States, or that are or come within the possession or control
of any United States person of: (i) The persons listed in the Annex to
amended E.O. 13536; and (ii) any person determined by the Secretary of
the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State: (A) To have
engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the peace,
security, or stability of Somalia, including: (1) Acts that threaten
the Djibouti Agreement of August 18, 2008, or the political process; or
(2) acts that threaten the Transitional Federal Institutions or future
Somali governing institutions, AMISOM, or other future international
peacekeeping operations related to Somalia; or (3) acts to
misappropriate Somali public assets; (B) to have obstructed the
delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, or access to, or
distribution of, humanitarian assistance in Somalia; (C), to have
directly or indirectly supplied, sold, or transferred to Somalia, or to
have been the recipient in the territory of Somalia of, arms or any
related material, or any technical advice, training or assistance,
including financing and financial assistance, related to military
activities; (D) to be responsible for or complicit in, or responsible
for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, or to have
participated in, the commission of acts of violence targeting civilians
in Somalia, including killing and maiming, sexual and gender-based
violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, taking hostages, and forced
displacement; (E) to be a political or military leader recruiting or
using children in armed conflict in Somalia; (F) to have engaged,
directly or indirectly, in the import or export of charcoal from
Somalia on or after February 22, 2012; (G) to have materially assisted,
sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical
support for, or goods or services in support of, the activities
described above or any person whose property and interests in property
are blocked pursuant to amended E.O. 13536; or (H) to be owned or
controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf
of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to amended E.O. 13536. The property and
interests in property of the persons described above may not be
transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in. Because
E.O. 13620 did not amend the Annex to E.O. 13536, the term ``Annex to
amended E.O. 13536'' refers to the Annex to E.O. 13536 as originally
issued.
Section 2 of E.O. 13620 prohibits the importation into the United
States, directly or indirectly, of charcoal from Somalia.
Section 3 of E.O. 13620 prohibits any transaction by a United
States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has
the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts
to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in E.O. 13620, as well as
any conspiracy formed to violate such prohibitions.
Section 4 of E.O. 13620 provides definitions for certain terms used
in the order.
Section 5 of E.O. 13620 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury,
in consultation with the Secretary of State, to take such actions,
including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all
powers granted to the President by IEEPA and the UNPA, as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes of E.O. 13620. Section 5 of E.O.
13620 also provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate
any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the U.S.
Government.
Current Regulatory Action
In furtherance of the purposes of E.O. 13536 and E.O. 13620, OFAC
is amending and reissuing the Regulations. The Regulations implement
targeted sanctions that are directed at persons determined to meet the
criteria set forth in Sec. 551.201 of the Regulations, as well as
sanctions that may be set forth in any further Executive orders issued
pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13536. The
sanctions in amended E.O. 13536 and E.O. 13620 do not generally
prohibit trade or the provision of banking or other financial services
to the country of Somalia. Instead, the sanctions in amended E.O. 13536
and E.O. 13620 apply where the transaction or service in question
involves property or interests in property that are blocked pursuant to
these sanctions, and prohibit the importation into the United States,
directly or indirectly, of charcoal from Somalia.
Subpart A of the Regulations clarifies the relation of this part to
other laws and regulations. Subpart B of the Regulations implements the
prohibitions contained in Sections 1 and 2 of amended E.O. 13536 and
sections 2 and 3 of E.O. 13620, as well as the prohibitions that may be
set forth in any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the
national emergency declared in E.O. 13536. See, e.g., Sec. Sec.
551.201 and 551.205. Persons identified in the Annex to amended E.O.
13536, designated by or under the authority of the Secretary of the
Treasury pursuant to amended E.O. 13536, or otherwise subject to the
blocking provisions of amended E.O. 13536, as well as persons who are
blocked pursuant to any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the
national emergency declared in E.O. 13536, are referred to throughout
the Regulations as ``persons whose property
[[Page 22348]]
and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201.'' The
names of persons listed in, designated, or identified pursuant to
amended E.O. 13536, or listed in, designated, or identified pursuant to
any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the national emergency
declared in E.O. 13536, are published on OFAC's Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), which is accessible via
OFAC's website. Those names also are published in the Federal Register
as they are added to the SDN List.
Sections 551.202 and 551.203 of subpart B detail the effect of
transfers of blocked property in violation of the Regulations and set
forth the requirement to hold blocked funds, such as currency, bank
deposits, or liquidated financial obligations, in interest-bearing
blocked accounts. Section 551.204 of subpart B provides that all
expenses incident to the maintenance of blocked tangible property shall
be the responsibility of the owners and operators of such property, and
that such expenses shall not be met from blocked funds, unless
otherwise authorized. The section further provides that blocked
property may, in OFAC's discretion, be sold or liquidated and the net
proceeds placed in a blocked interest-bearing account in the name of
the owner of the property.
Section 551.205 of subpart B prohibits any transaction that evades
or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation
of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in Sec.
551.201 of the Regulations, and any conspiracy formed to violate such
prohibitions.
Section 551.206 of subpart B details transactions that are exempt
from the prohibitions of the Regulations pursuant to section 203(b)(1)
of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1)), which relates to personal
communications. Section 551.207 of subpart B sets out the prohibition
on the importation into the United States, directly or indirectly, of
charcoal from Somalia.
In subpart C of the Regulations, new definitions are being added to
other key terms used throughout the Regulations. Because these new
definitions were inserted in alphabetical order, the definitions that
were in the prior abbreviated set of regulations have been renumbered.
Similarly, in subpart D, which contains interpretive sections regarding
the Regulations, certain provisions have been added to those in the
prior abbreviated set of regulations. Section 551.411 explains that the
property and interests in property of an entity are blocked if the
entity is directly or indirectly owned, whether individually or in the
aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more persons whose property and
interests in property are blocked, whether or not the entity itself is
incorporated into OFAC's SDN List.
Transactions otherwise prohibited by the Regulations but found to
be consistent with U.S. policy may be authorized by one of the general
licenses contained in subpart E of the Regulations or by a specific
license issued pursuant to the procedures described in subpart E of 31
CFR part 501. Subpart E of the Regulations also contains certain
statements of specific licensing policy in addition to the general
licenses. General licenses and statements of licensing policy relating
to this part also may be available through the Somalia sanctions page
on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/ofac.
OFAC is also incorporating several new general licenses into the
Regulations, making technical edits to certain existing general
licenses, and renumbering existing general licenses. Sections 551.506,
551.508, 551.510, and 551.511 authorize, respectively, certain
transactions relating to the investment of certain funds, payments for
legal services from funds originating outside the United States,
official business of the United States Government, and official
activities of international organizations. Section 551.506 was
renumbered as Sec. 551.507 and Sec. 551.507 was renumbered as Sec.
551.509. In Sec. 551.509, OFAC has removed the requirement that
payment for emergency medical services be specifically licensed.
Subpart F of the Regulations refers to subpart C of part 501 for
recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Subpart G of the Regulations
describes the civil and criminal penalties applicable to violations of
the Regulations, as well as the procedures governing the potential
imposition of a civil monetary penalty or issuance of a Finding of
Violation. Subpart G also refers to appendix A of part 501 for a more
complete description of these procedures.
Subpart H of the Regulations refers to subpart E of part 501 for
applicable provisions relating to administrative procedures and
contains a delegation of certain authorities of the Secretary of the
Treasury. Subpart I of the Regulations sets forth a Paperwork Reduction
Act notice.
Public Participation
Because the Regulations involve a foreign affairs function, the
provisions of E.O. 12866 of September 30, 1993, ``Regulatory Planning
and Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), and the Administrative
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) requiring notice of proposed rulemaking,
opportunity for public participation, and delay in effective date are
inapplicable. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for
this rule, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) does not
apply.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The collections of information related to the Regulations are
contained in 31 CFR part 501 (the ``Reporting, Procedures and Penalties
Regulations''). Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3507), those collections of information have been approved by
the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1505-0164. An
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of
information displays a valid control number.
List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 551
Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, banking, Blocking of
assets, Charcoal, Foreign trade, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sanctions, Securities, Services, Somalia.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of the
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control revises 31 CFR part 551 to
read as follows:
PART 551--SOMALIA SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
Subpart A--Relation of This Part to Other Laws and Regulations
Sec.
551.101 Relation of this part to other laws and regulations.
Subpart B--Prohibitions
551.201 Prohibited transactions.
551.202 Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this part.
551.203 Holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts; investment
and reinvestment.
551.204 Expenses of maintaining blocked tangible property;
liquidation of blocked property.
551.205 Evasions; attempts; causing violations; conspiracies.
551.206 Exempt transactions.
551.207 Prohibited importation of charcoal from Somalia.
Subpart C--General Definitions
551.300 Applicability of definitions.
551.301 African Union Mission in Somalia; AMISOM.
551.302 Arms or any related materiel.
551.303 Blocked account; blocked property.
551.304 Charcoal.
551.305 Effective date.
[[Page 22349]]
551.306 Entity.
551.307 Financial, material, or technical support.
551.308 [Reserved]
551.309 Interest.
551.310 Licenses; general and specific.
551.311 OFAC.
551.312 Person.
551.313 Property; property interest.
551.314 Transfer.
551.315 Transitional Federal Institutions.
551.316 United States.
551.317 United States person; U.S. person.
551.318 U.S. financial institution.
Subpart D--Interpretations
551.401 Reference to amended sections.
551.402 Effect of amendment.
551.403 Termination and acquisition of an interest in blocked
property.
551.404 Transactions ordinarily incident to a licensed transaction.
551.405 Provision of services.
551.406 Offshore transactions involving blocked property.
551.407 Payments from blocked accounts to satisfy obligations
prohibited.
551.408 Charitable contributions.
551.409 Credit extended and cards issued by financial institutions
to a person whose property and interests in property are blocked.
551.410 Setoffs prohibited.
551.411 Entities owned by one or more persons whose property and
interests in property are blocked.
Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy
551.501 General and specific licensing procedures.
551.502 Effect of license or other authorization.
551.503 Exclusion from licenses.
551.504 Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S. financial
institutions.
551.505 Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges.
551.506 Investment and reinvestment of certain funds.
551.507 Provision of certain legal services.
551.508 Payments for legal services from funds originating outside
the United States.
551.509 Emergency medical services.
551.510 Official business of the United States Government.
551.511 Official activities of international organizations.
Subpart F--Reports
551.601 Records and reports.
Subpart G--Penalties and Findings of Violation
551.701 Penalties.
551.702 Pre-Penalty Notice; settlement.
551.703 Penalty imposition.
551.704 Administrative collection; referral to United States
Department of Justice.
551.705 Findings of Violation.
Subpart H--Procedures
551.801 Procedures.
551.802 Delegation of certain authorities of the Secretary of the
Treasury.
Subpart I--Paperwork Reduction Act
551.901 Paperwork Reduction Act notice.
Authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. 1601-1651,
1701-1706; 22 U.S.C. 287c; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as
amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 13536, 75 FR 19869, 3 CFR, 2010
Comp., p. 203; E.O. 13620, 77 FR 43483, 3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 281.
Subpart A--Relation of This Part to Other Laws and Regulations
Sec. 551.101 Relation of this part to other laws and regulations.
This part is separate from, and independent of, the other parts of
this chapter, with the exception of part 501 of this chapter, the
recordkeeping and reporting requirements and license application and
other procedures of which apply to this part. Actions taken pursuant to
part 501 of this chapter with respect to the prohibitions contained in
this part are considered actions taken pursuant to this part. Differing
foreign policy and national security circumstances may result in
differing interpretations of similar language among the parts of this
chapter. No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to
those other parts authorizes any transaction prohibited by this part.
No license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to any
other provision of law or regulation authorizes any transaction
prohibited by this part. No license or authorization contained in or
issued pursuant to this part relieves the involved parties from
complying with any other applicable laws or regulations.
Subpart B--Prohibitions
Sec. 551.201 Prohibited transactions.
(a) All property and interests in property that are in the United
States, that come within the United States, or that are or come within
the possession or control of any U.S. person of the following persons
are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or
otherwise dealt in:
(1) The persons listed in the Annex to Executive Order (E.O.) 13536
of April 12, 2010; and
(2) Any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State to:
(i) Have engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the
peace, security, or stability of Somalia, including:
(A) Acts that threaten the Djibouti Agreement of August 18, 2008,
or the political process;
(B) Acts that threaten the Transitional Federal Institutions or
future Somali governing institutions, the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM), or other future international peacekeeping operations
related to Somalia;
(C) Acts to misappropriate Somali public assets; or
(D) Acts of piracy or armed robbery at sea off the coast of
Somalia;
(ii) Have obstructed the delivery of humanitarian assistance to
Somalia, or access to, or distribution of, humanitarian assistance in
Somalia;
(iii) Have directly or indirectly supplied, sold, or transferred to
Somalia, or to have been the recipient in the territory of Somalia of,
arms or any related materiel, or any technical advice, training, or
assistance, including financing and financial assistance, related to
military activities;
(iv) Be responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for
ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, or to have participated
in, the commission of acts of violence targeting civilians in Somalia,
including killing and maiming, sexual and gender-based violence,
attacks on schools and hospitals, taking hostages, and forced
displacement;
(v) Be a political or military leader recruiting or using children
in armed conflict in Somalia;
(vi) Have engaged, directly or indirectly, in the import or export
of charcoal from Somalia on or after February 22, 2012;
(vii) Have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial,
material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in
support of, the activities described in subsections (a)(2)(i) through
(vi) of this section or any person whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section; or
(viii) Be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to
act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose
property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph
(a) of this section.
(b) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section include
prohibitions on the following transactions:
(1) The making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or
services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
section; and
(2) The receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods,
or services from any person whose property and interests in property
are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Unless authorized by this part or by a specific license
expressly referring to this part, any dealing in securities (or
[[Page 22350]]
evidence thereof) held within the possession or control of a U.S.
person and either registered or inscribed in the name of, or known to
be held for the benefit of, or issued by, any person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
section is prohibited. This prohibition includes the transfer
(including the transfer on the books of any issuer or agent thereof),
disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal
of, or the endorsement or guaranty of signatures on, any securities on
or after the effective date. This prohibition applies irrespective of
the fact that at any time (whether prior to, on, or subsequent to the
effective date) the registered or inscribed owner of any such
securities may have or might appear to have assigned, transferred, or
otherwise disposed of the securities. (d) The prohibitions in paragraph
(a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by regulations,
orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this
part, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or
permit granted prior to the effective date.
(e) All transactions prohibited pursuant to any E.O. issued after
July 20, 2012, pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O.
13536 of April 12, 2010, are prohibited pursuant to this part.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.201. The names of persons listed in or
designated or identified pursuant to amended E.O. 13536, or listed
in or designated or identified pursuant to any further Executive
orders issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O.
13536, whose property and interests in property therefore are
blocked pursuant to this section, are published in the Federal
Register and incorporated into OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals
and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) using the following identifiers:
For amended E.O. 13536: ``[SOMALIA]'' and for any further Executive
orders issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in amended
E.O. 13536: Using the identifier formulation ``[SOMALIA-E.O.[E.O.
number pursuant to which the person's property and interests in
property are blocked]]''. The SDN List is accessible through the
following page on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional
information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to
this chapter. See Sec. 551.411 concerning entities that may not be
listed on the SDN List but whose property and interests in property
are nevertheless blocked pursuant to this section.
Note 2 to Sec. 551.201. The International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), in Section 203 (50 U.S.C. 1702),
authorizes the blocking of property and interests in property of a
person during the pendency of an investigation. The names of persons
whose property and interests in property are blocked pending
investigation pursuant to this section also are published in the
Federal Register and incorporated into the SDN List using the
following identifiers: For amended E.O. 13536: ``[BPI-SOMALIA]'' and
for any further Executive orders issued pursuant to the national
emergency declared in E.O. 13536: Using the identifier formulation
``[BPI-SOMALIA-E.O.[E.O. number pursuant to which the person's
property and interests in property are blocked pending
investigation]].''
Note 3 to Sec. 551.201. Sections 501.806 and 501.807 of this
chapter describe the procedures to be followed by persons seeking,
respectively, the unblocking of funds that they believe were blocked
due to mistaken identity, or administrative reconsideration of their
status as persons whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to this section.
Sec. 551.202 Effect of transfers violating the provisions of this
part.
(a) Any transfer after the effective date that is in violation of
any provision of this part or of any regulation, order, directive,
ruling, instruction, or license issued pursuant to this part, and that
involves any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to Sec.
551.201, is null and void and shall not be the basis for the assertion
or recognition of any interest in or right, remedy, power, or privilege
with respect to such property or interest in property.
(b) No transfer before the effective date shall be the basis for
the assertion or recognition of any right, remedy, power, or privilege
with respect to, or any interest in, any property or interest in
property blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, unless the person who holds
or maintains such property, prior to that date, had written notice of
the transfer or by any written evidence had recognized such transfer.
(c) Unless otherwise provided, a license or other authorization
issued by OFAC before, during, or after a transfer shall validate such
transfer or make it enforceable to the same extent that it would be
valid or enforceable but for the provisions of this part and any
regulation, order, directive, ruling, instruction, or license issued
pursuant to this part.
(d) Transfers of property that otherwise would be null and void or
unenforceable by virtue of the provisions of this section shall not be
deemed to be null and void or unenforceable as to any person with whom
such property is or was held or maintained (and as to such person only)
in cases in which such person is able to establish to the satisfaction
of OFAC each of the following:
(1) Such transfer did not represent a willful violation of the
provisions of this part by the person with whom such property is or was
held or maintained (and as to such person only);
(2) The person with whom such property is or was held or maintained
did not have reasonable cause to know or suspect, in view of all the
facts and circumstances known or available to such person, that such
transfer required a license or authorization issued pursuant to this
part and was not so licensed or authorized, or, if a license or
authorization did purport to cover the transfer, that such license or
authorization had been obtained by misrepresentation of a third party
or withholding of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently
obtained; and
(3) The person with whom such property is or was held or maintained
filed with OFAC a report setting forth in full the circumstances
relating to such transfer promptly upon discovery that:
(i) Such transfer was in violation of the provisions of this part
or any regulation, ruling, instruction, license, or other directive or
authorization issued pursuant to this part;
(ii) Such transfer was not licensed or authorized by OFAC; or
(iii) If a license did purport to cover the transfer, such license
had been obtained by misrepresentation of a third party or withholding
of material facts or was otherwise fraudulently obtained.
(e) The filing of a report in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (d)(3) of this section shall not be deemed evidence that the
terms of paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section have been satisfied.
(f) Unless licensed pursuant to this part, any attachment,
judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial
process is null and void with respect to any property or interest in
property blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201.
Sec. 551.203 Holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts;
investment and reinvestment.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) or (f) of this section, or
as otherwise directed or authorized by OFAC, any U.S. person holding
funds, such as currency, bank deposits, or liquidated financial
obligations, subject to Sec. 551.201 shall hold or place such funds in
a blocked interest-bearing account located in the United States.
(b)(1) For purposes of this section, the term blocked interest-
bearing account means a blocked account:
(i) In a federally insured U.S. bank, thrift institution, or credit
union, provided the funds are earning interest
[[Page 22351]]
at rates that are commercially reasonable; or
(ii) With a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78a et seq.), provided the funds are invested in a money market
fund or in U.S. Treasury bills.
(2) Funds held or placed in a blocked account pursuant to paragraph
(a) of this section may not be invested in instruments the maturity of
which exceeds 180 days.
(c) For purposes of this section, a rate is commercially reasonable
if it is the rate currently offered to other depositors on deposits or
instruments of comparable size and maturity.
(d) For purposes of this section, if interest is credited to a
separate blocked account or subaccount, the name of the account party
on each account must be the same.
(e) Blocked funds held in instruments the maturity of which exceeds
180 days at the time the funds become subject to Sec. 551.201 may
continue to be held until maturity in the original instrument, provided
any interest, earnings, or other proceeds derived therefrom are paid
into a blocked interest-bearing account in accordance with paragraph
(a) or (f) of this section.
(f) Blocked funds held in accounts or instruments outside the
United States at the time the funds become subject to Sec. 551.201 may
continue to be held in the same type of accounts or instruments,
provided the funds earn interest at rates that are commercially
reasonable.
(g) This section does not create an affirmative obligation for the
holder of blocked tangible property, such as real or personal property,
or of other blocked property, such as debt or equity securities, to
sell or liquidate such property. However, OFAC may issue licenses
permitting or directing such sales or liquidation in appropriate cases.
(h) Funds subject to this section may not be held, invested, or
reinvested in a manner that provides financial or economic benefit or
access to any person whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, nor may their holder cooperate in or
facilitate the pledging or other attempted use as collateral of blocked
funds or other assets.
Sec. 551.204 Expenses of maintaining blocked tangible property;
liquidation of blocked property.
(a) Except as otherwise authorized, and notwithstanding the
existence of any rights or obligations conferred or imposed by any
international agreement or contract entered into or any license or
permit granted prior to the effective date, all expenses incident to
the maintenance of tangible property blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201
shall be the responsibility of the owners or operators of such
property, which expenses shall not be met from blocked funds.
(b) Property blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201 may, in the
discretion of OFAC, be sold or liquidated and the net proceeds placed
in a blocked interest-bearing account in the name of the owner of the
property.
Sec. 551.205 Evasions; attempts; causing violations; conspiracies.
(a) Any transaction on or after the effective date that evades or
avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of,
or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this part
is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate the prohibitions set forth in
this part is prohibited.
Sec. 551.206 Exempt transactions.
(a) United Nations Participation Act. The exemption described in
this section does not apply to transactions involving property or
interests in property of persons whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to the authority of the United Nations
Participation Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 287c(b)) (UNPA).
Note 1 to paragraph (a). Persons whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to the authority of the UNPA include
those listed on both OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and
Blocked Persons List (SDN List) and the Consolidated United Nations
Security Council Sanctions List (UN List) (see https://www.un.org),
as well as persons listed on the SDN List for being owned or
controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, persons listed on both
the SDN List and the UN List.
(b) Personal communications. The prohibitions contained in this
part do not apply to any postal, telegraphic, telephonic, or other
personal communication that does not involve the transfer of anything
of value.
Sec. 551.207 Prohibited importation of charcoal from Somalia.
(a) The importation into the United States, directly or indirectly,
of charcoal from Somalia is prohibited.
(b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section applies except
to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders,
directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this part, and
notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit
granted prior to the effective date.
Subpart C--General Definitions
Sec. 551.300 Applicability of definitions.
The definitions in this subpart apply throughout the entire part.
Sec. 551.301 African Union Mission in Somalia; AMISOM
The term African Union Mission in Somalia or AMISOM means the
mission authorized by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution
1744 of February 20, 2007, and reauthorized in subsequent resolutions,
and includes its agencies, instrumentalities, and controlled entities.
Sec. 551.302 Arms or any related materiel.
The term arms or any related materiel means arms or related
materiel of all types, including military aircraft and equipment,
transferred in violation of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia.
Sec. 551.303 Blocked account; blocked property.
The terms blocked account and blocked property mean any account or
property subject to the prohibitions in Sec. 551.201 held in the name
of a person whose property and interests in property are blocked
pursuant to Sec. 551.201, or in which such person has an interest, and
with respect to which payments, transfers, exportations, withdrawals,
or other dealings may not be made or effected except pursuant to a
license or other authorization from OFAC expressly authorizing such
action.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.303. See Sec. 551.411 concerning the
blocked status of property and interests in property of an entity
that is directly or indirectly owned, whether individually or in the
aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more persons whose property
and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201.
Sec. 551.304 Charcoal.
The term charcoal means any product classifiable in heading 3802 or
4402 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Sec. 551.305 Effective date.
(a) The term effective date refers to the effective date of the
applicable prohibitions and directives contained in this part as
follows:
(1) With respect to a person listed in the Annex to E.O. 13536, as
amended by E.O. 13620, 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 13,
2010;
(2) With respect to a person whose property and interests in
property are otherwise blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, the earlier
of the date of actual or constructive notice that such
[[Page 22352]]
person's property and interests in property are blocked; and
(3) With respect to the prohibition set forth in Sec. 551.207,
2:00 p.m. eastern daylight time, July 20, 2012.
(b) For the purposes of this section, constructive notice is the
date that a notice of the blocking of the relevant person's property
and interests in property is published in the Federal Register.
Sec. 551.306 Entity.
The term entity means a partnership, association, trust, joint
venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization.
Sec. 551.307 Financial, material, logistical, or technical support.
The term financial, material, logistical, or technical support, as
used in this part, means any property, tangible or intangible,
including currency, financial instruments, securities, or any other
transmission of value; weapons or related materiel; chemical or
biological agents; explosives; false documentation or identification;
communications equipment; computers; electronic or other devices or
equipment; technologies; lodging; safe houses; facilities; vehicles or
other means of transportation; or goods. ``Technologies'' as used in
this definition means specific information necessary for the
development, production, or use of a product, including related
technical data such as blueprints, plans, diagrams, models, formulae,
tables, engineering designs and specifications, manuals, or other
recorded instructions.
Sec. 551.308 [Reserved]
Sec. 551.309 Interest.
Except as otherwise provided in this part, the term interest, when
used with respect to property (e.g., ``an interest in property''),
means an interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect.
Sec. 551.310 Licenses; general and specific.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, the term license
means any license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to
this part.
(b) The term general license means any license or authorization the
terms of which are set forth in subpart E of this part or made
available on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/ofac.
(c) The term specific license means any license or authorization
issued pursuant to this part but not set forth in subpart E of this
part or made available on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/ofac.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.310. See Sec. 501.801 of this chapter on
licensing procedures.
Sec. 551.311 OFAC.
The term OFAC means the Department of the Treasury's Office of
Foreign Assets Control.
Sec. 551.312 Person.
The term person means an individual or entity.
Sec. 551.313 Property; property interest.
The terms property and property interest include money, checks,
drafts, bullion, bank deposits, savings accounts, debts, indebtedness,
obligations, notes, guarantees, debentures, stocks, bonds, coupons, any
other financial instruments, bankers acceptances, mortgages, pledges,
liens or other rights in the nature of security, warehouse receipts,
bills of lading, trust receipts, bills of sale, any other evidences of
title, ownership, or indebtedness, letters of credit and any documents
relating to any rights or obligations thereunder, powers of attorney,
goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, stocks on hand, ships, goods on
ships, real estate mortgages, deeds of trust, vendors' sales
agreements, land contracts, leaseholds, ground rents, real estate and
any other interest therein, options, negotiable instruments, trade
acceptances, royalties, book accounts, accounts payable, judgments,
patents, trademarks or copyrights, insurance policies, safe deposit
boxes and their contents, annuities, pooling agreements, services of
any nature whatsoever, contracts of any nature whatsoever, and any
other property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or
interest or interests therein, present, future, or contingent.
Sec. 551.314 Transfer.
The term transfer means any actual or purported act or transaction,
whether or not evidenced by writing, and whether or not done or
performed within the United States, the purpose, intent, or effect of
which is to create, surrender, release, convey, transfer, or alter,
directly or indirectly, any right, remedy, power, privilege, or
interest with respect to any property. Without limitation on the
foregoing, it shall include the making, execution, or delivery of any
assignment, power, conveyance, check, declaration, deed, deed of trust,
power of attorney, power of appointment, bill of sale, mortgage,
receipt, agreement, contract, certificate, gift, sale, affidavit, or
statement; the making of any payment; the setting off of any obligation
or credit; the appointment of any agent, trustee, or fiduciary; the
creation or transfer of any lien; the issuance, docketing, filing, or
levy of or under any judgment, decree, attachment, injunction,
execution, or other judicial or administrative process or order, or the
service of any garnishment; the acquisition of any interest of any
nature whatsoever by reason of a judgment or decree of any foreign
country; the fulfillment of any condition; the exercise of any power of
appointment, power of attorney, or other power; or the acquisition,
disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of
any security.
Sec. 551.315 Transitional Federal Institutions.
The term Transitional Federal Institutions means the Transitional
Federal Charter of the Somali Republic adopted in February 2004 and the
Somali federal institutions established pursuant to such charter, and
includes their agencies, instrumentalities, and controlled entities.
Sec. Sec. 551.316 United States.
The term United States means the United States, its territories and
possessions, and all areas under the jurisdiction or authority thereof.
Sec. 551.317 United States person; U.S. person.
The term United States person or U.S. person means any United
States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the
laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States
(including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.
Sec. 551.318 U.S. financial institution.
The term U.S. financial institution means any U.S. entity
(including its foreign branches) that is engaged in the business of
accepting deposits, making, granting, transferring, holding, or
brokering loans or other extensions of credit, or purchasing or selling
foreign exchange, securities, commodity futures or options, or
procuring purchasers and sellers thereof, as principal or agent. It
includes depository institutions, banks, savings banks, trust
companies, securities brokers and dealers, futures and options brokers
and dealers, forward contract and foreign exchange merchants,
securities and commodities exchanges, clearing corporations, investment
companies, employee benefit plans, and U.S. holding companies, U.S.
affiliates, or U.S. subsidiaries of any of the foregoing. This term
includes those branches, offices, and agencies of foreign financial
institutions that are located in the
[[Page 22353]]
United States, but not such institutions' foreign branches, offices, or
agencies.
Subpart D--Interpretations
Sec. 551.401 Reference to amended sections.
(a) Reference to any section in this part is a reference to the
same as currently amended, unless the reference includes a specific
date. See 44 U.S.C. 1510.
(b) Reference to any ruling, order, instruction, direction, or
license issued pursuant to this part is a reference to the same as
currently amended unless otherwise so specified.
Sec. 551.402 Effect of amendment.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, any amendment,
modification, or revocation of any provision in or appendix to this
part or chapter or of any order, regulation, ruling, instruction, or
license issued by OFAC does not affect any act done or omitted, or any
civil or criminal proceeding commenced or pending, prior to such
amendment, modification, or revocation. All penalties, forfeitures, and
liabilities under any such order, regulation, ruling, instruction, or
license continue and may be enforced as if such amendment,
modification, or revocation had not been made.
Sec. 551.403 Termination and acquisition of an interest in blocked
property.
(a) Whenever a transaction licensed or authorized by or pursuant to
this part results in the transfer of property (including any property
interest) away from a person whose property and interests in property
are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, such property shall no longer be
deemed to be property blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, unless there
exists in the property another interest that is blocked pursuant to
Sec. 551.201, the transfer of which has not been effected pursuant to
license or other authorization.
(b) Unless otherwise specifically provided in a license or
authorization issued pursuant to this part, if property (including any
property interest) is transferred or attempted to be transferred to a
person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to
Sec. 551.201, such property shall be deemed to be property in which
such person has an interest and therefore blocked.
Sec. 551.404 Transactions ordinarily incident to a licensed
transaction.
(a) Any transaction ordinarily incident to a licensed transaction
and necessary to give effect thereto is also authorized, except:
(1) An ordinarily incident transaction, not explicitly authorized
within the terms of the license, by or with a person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201; or
(2) An ordinarily incident transaction, not explicitly authorized
within the terms of the license, involving a debit to a blocked account
or a transfer of blocked property.
(b) For example, a license authorizing a person to complete a
securities sale involving Company A, whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, also authorizes other
persons to engage in activities that are ordinarily incident and
necessary to complete the sale, including transactions by the buyer,
broker, transfer agents, and banks, provided that such other persons
are not themselves persons whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201.
Sec. 551.405 Provision of services.
(a) The prohibitions on transactions contained in Sec. 551.201
apply to services performed in the United States or by U.S. persons,
wherever located, including by a foreign branch of an entity located in
the United States:
(1) On behalf of or for the benefit of a person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201; or
(2) With respect to property interests of any person whose property
and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201.
(b) For example, U.S. persons may not, except as authorized by or
pursuant to this part, provide legal, accounting, financial, brokering,
freight forwarding, transportation, public relations, or other services
to a person whose property and interests in property are blocked
pursuant to Sec. 551.201.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.405. See Sec. Sec. 551.507 and 551.509 on
licensing policy with regard to the provision of certain legal and
emergency medical services.
Sec. 551.406 Offshore transactions involving blocked property.
The prohibitions in Sec. 551.201 on transactions or dealings
involving blocked property, as defined in Sec. 551.303, apply to
transactions by any U.S. person in a location outside the United
States.
Sec. 551.407 Payments from blocked accounts to satisfy obligations
prohibited.
Pursuant to Sec. 551.201, no debits may be made to a blocked
account to pay obligations to U.S. persons or other persons, except as
authorized by or pursuant to this part.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.407. See also Sec. 551.502(e), which
provides that no license or other authorization contained in or
issued pursuant to this part authorizes transfers of or payments
from blocked property or debits to blocked accounts unless the
license or other authorization explicitly authorizes the transfer of
or payment from blocked property or the debit to a blocked account.
Sec. 551.408 Charitable contributions.
Unless specifically authorized by OFAC pursuant to this part, no
charitable contribution of funds, goods, services, or technology,
including contributions to relieve human suffering, such as food,
clothing, or medicine, may be made by, to, or for the benefit of, or
received from, a person whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201. For the purposes of this part, a
contribution is made by, to, or for the benefit of, or received from, a
person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to
Sec. 551.201 if made by, to, or in the name of, or received from or in
the name of, such a person; if made by, to, or in the name of, or
received from or in the name of, an entity or individual acting for or
on behalf of, or owned or controlled by, such a person; or if made in
an attempt to violate, to evade, or to avoid the bar on the provision
of contributions by, to, or for the benefit of such a person, or the
receipt of contributions from such a person.
Sec. 551.409 Credit extended and cards issued by financial
institutions to a person whose property and interests in property are
blocked.
The prohibition in Sec. 551.201 on dealing in property subject to
that section prohibits U.S. financial institutions from performing
under any existing credit agreements, including charge cards, debit
cards, or other credit facilities issued by a financial institution to
a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant
to Sec. 551.201.
Sec. 551.410 Setoffs prohibited.
A setoff against blocked property (including a blocked account),
whether by a U.S. bank or other U.S. person, is a prohibited transfer
under Sec. 551.201 if effected after the effective date.
Sec. 551.411 Entities owned by one or more persons whose property and
interests in property are blocked.
Persons whose property and interests in property are blocked
pursuant to Sec. 551.201 have an interest in all property and
interests in property of an
[[Page 22354]]
entity in which such persons directly or indirectly own, whether
individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest. The
property and interests in property of such an entity, therefore, are
blocked, and such an entity is a person whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, regardless of whether
the name of the entity is incorporated into OFAC's Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List).
Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing
Policy
Sec. 551.501 General and specific licensing procedures.
For provisions relating to licensing procedures, see part 501,
subpart E, of this chapter. Licensing actions taken pursuant to part
501 of this chapter with respect to the prohibitions contained in this
part are considered actions taken pursuant to this part. General
licenses and statements of licensing policy relating to this part also
may be available through the Somalia Sanctions page on OFAC's website:
www.treasury.gov/ofac.
Sec. 551.502 Effect of license or other authorization.
(a) No license or other authorization contained in this part, or
otherwise issued by OFAC, authorizes or validates any transaction
effected prior to the issuance of such license or other authorization,
unless specifically provided in such license or authorization.
(b) No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizes any
transaction prohibited under this part unless the regulation, ruling,
instruction, or license is issued by OFAC and specifically refers to
this part. No regulation, ruling, instruction, or license referring to
this part shall be deemed to authorize any transaction prohibited by
any other part of this chapter unless the regulation, ruling,
instruction, or license specifically refers to such part.
(c) Any regulation, ruling, instruction, or license authorizing any
transaction prohibited under this part has the effect of removing a
prohibition contained in this part from the transaction, but only to
the extent specifically stated by its terms. Unless the regulation,
ruling, instruction, or license otherwise specifies, such an
authorization does not create any right, duty, obligation, claim, or
interest in, or with respect to, any property that would not otherwise
exist under ordinary principles of law.
(d) Nothing contained in this part shall be construed to supersede
the requirements established under any other provision of law or to
relieve a person from any requirement to obtain a license or other
authorization from another department or agency of the U.S. Government
in compliance with applicable laws and regulations subject to the
jurisdiction of that department or agency. For example, exports of
goods, services, or technical data that are not prohibited by this part
or that do not require a license by OFAC nevertheless may require
authorization by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department
of State, or other agencies of the U.S. Government.
(e) No license or other authorization contained in or issued
pursuant to this part authorizes transfers of or payments from blocked
property or debits to blocked accounts unless the license or other
authorization explicitly authorizes the transfer of or payment from
blocked property or the debit to a blocked account.
(f) Any payment relating to a transaction authorized in or pursuant
to this part that is routed through the U.S. financial system should
reference the relevant OFAC general or specific license authorizing the
payment to avoid the blocking or rejection of the transfer.
Sec. 551.503 Exclusion from licenses.
OFAC reserves the right to exclude any person, property,
transaction, or class thereof from the operation of any license or from
the privileges conferred by any license. OFAC also reserves the right
to restrict the applicability of any license to particular persons,
property, transactions, or classes thereof. Such actions are binding
upon actual or constructive notice of the exclusions or restrictions.
Sec. 551.504 Payments and transfers to blocked accounts in U.S.
financial institutions.
Any payment of funds or transfer of credit in which a person whose
property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec.
551.201 has any interest that comes within the possession or control of
a U.S. financial institution must be blocked in an account on the books
of that financial institution. A transfer of funds or credit by a U.S.
financial institution between blocked accounts in its branches or
offices is authorized, provided that no transfer is made from an
account within the United States to an account held outside the United
States, and further provided that a transfer from a blocked account may
be made only to another blocked account held in the same name.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.504. See Sec. 501.603 of this chapter for
mandatory reporting requirements regarding financial transfers. See
also Sec. 551.203 concerning the obligation to hold blocked funds
in interest-bearing accounts.
Sec. 551.505 Entries in certain accounts for normal service charges.
(a) A U.S. financial institution is authorized to debit any blocked
account held at that financial institution in payment or reimbursement
for normal service charges owed it by the owner of that blocked
account.
(b) As used in this section, the term normal service charges shall
include charges in payment or reimbursement for interest due; cable,
telegraph, internet, or telephone charges; postage costs; custody fees;
small adjustment charges to correct bookkeeping errors; and, but not by
way of limitation, minimum balance charges, notary and protest fees,
and charges for reference books, photocopies, credit reports,
transcripts of statements, registered mail, insurance, stationery and
supplies, and other similar items.
Sec. 551.506 Investment and reinvestment of certain funds.
Subject to the requirements of Sec. 551.203, U.S. financial
institutions are authorized to invest and reinvest assets blocked
pursuant to Sec. 551.201, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The assets representing such investments and reinvestments are
credited to a blocked account or subaccount that is held in the same
name at the same U.S. financial institution, or within the possession
or control of a U.S. person, but funds shall not be transferred outside
the United States for this purpose;
(b) The proceeds of such investments and reinvestments shall not be
credited to a blocked account or subaccount under any name or
designation that differs from the name or designation of the specific
blocked account or subaccount in which such funds or securities were
held; and
(c) No immediate financial or economic benefit accrues (e.g.,
through pledging or other use) to a person whose property and interests
in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201.
Sec. 551.507 Provision of certain legal services.
(a) The provision of the following legal services to or on behalf
of persons whose property and interests in property are blocked
pursuant to Sec. 551.201 is authorized, provided that any receipt of
payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses
must be authorized pursuant to Sec. 551.508, which authorizes certain
payments for legal services from funds
[[Page 22355]]
originating outside the United States; via specific license; or
otherwise pursuant to this part:
(1) Provision of legal advice and counseling on the requirements of
and compliance with the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction
within the United States, provided that such advice and counseling are
not provided to facilitate transactions in violation of this part;
(2) Representation of persons named as defendants in or otherwise
made parties to legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings
before any U.S. federal, state, or local court or agency;
(3) Initiation and conduct of legal, arbitration, or administrative
proceedings before any U.S. federal, state, or local court or agency;
(4) Representation of persons before any U.S. federal, state, or
local court or agency with respect to the imposition, administration,
or enforcement of U.S. sanctions against such persons; and
(5) Provision of legal services in any other context in which
prevailing U.S. law requires access to legal counsel at public expense.
(b) The provision of any other legal services to or on behalf of
persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant
to Sec. 551.201 not otherwise authorized in this part, requires the
issuance of a specific license.
(c) U.S. persons do not need to obtain specific authorization to
provide related services, such as making filings and providing other
administrative services, that are ordinarily incident to the provision
of services authorized by paragraph (a) of this section. Additionally,
U.S. persons who provide services authorized by paragraph (a) of this
section do not need to obtain specific authorization to contract for
related services that are ordinarily incident to the provision of those
legal services, such as those provided by private investigators or
expert witnesses, or to pay for such services. See Sec. 551.404.
(d) Entry into a settlement agreement or the enforcement of any
lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through
execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to
transfer or otherwise alter or affect property or interests in property
blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201 is prohibited unless licensed
pursuant to this part.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.507. Pursuant to part 501, subpart E, of
this chapter, U.S. persons seeking administrative reconsideration or
judicial review of their designation or the blocking of their
property and interests in property may apply for a specific license
from OFAC to authorize the release of certain blocked funds for the
payment of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses
for the provision of such legal services where alternative funding
sources are not available.
Sec. 551.508 Payments for legal services from funds originating
outside the United States.
(a) Professional fees and incurred expenses. (1) Receipt of payment
of professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses for the
provision of legal services authorized pursuant to Sec. 551.507(a) to
or on behalf of any person whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201 is authorized from funds originating
outside the United States, provided that the funds do not originate
from:
(i) A source within the United States;
(ii) Any source, wherever located, within the possession or control
of a U.S. person; or
(iii) Any individual or entity, other than the person on whose
behalf the legal services authorized pursuant to Sec. 551.507(a) are
to be provided, whose property and interests in property are blocked
pursuant to any part of this chapter or any Executive order or statute.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this section authorizes payments
for legal services using funds in which any other person whose property
and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Sec. 551.201, any
other part of this chapter, or any Executive order or statute has an
interest.
(b) Reports. (1) U.S. persons who receive payments pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this section must submit annual reports no later than
30 days following the end of the calendar year during which the
payments were received providing information on the funds received.
Such reports shall specify:
(i) The individual or entity from whom the funds originated and the
amount of funds received; and
(ii) If applicable:
(A) The names of any individuals or entities providing related
services to the U.S. person receiving payment in connection with
authorized legal services, such as private investigators or expert
witnesses;
(B) A general description of the services provided; and
(C) The amount of funds paid in connection with such services.
(2) The reports, which must reference this section, are to be
submitted to OFAC using one of the following methods:
(i) Email (preferred method):
[email protected]; or
(ii) U.S. mail: OFAC Regulations Reports, Office of Foreign Assets
Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Freedman's Bank Building, Washington, DC 20220.
Sec. 551.509 Emergency medical services.
The provision and receipt of nonscheduled emergency medical
services that are prohibited by this part are authorized.
Sec. 551.510 Official business of the United States Government.
All transactions prohibited by this part that are for the conduct
of the official business of the United States Government by employees,
grantees, or contractors thereof are authorized.
Sec. 551.511 Official activities of international organizations.
All transactions and activities prohibited by this part that are
for the conduct of the official business of the United Nations and its
Specialized Agencies, Programmes, Funds, and Related Organizations by
employees, contractors, or grantees thereof are authorized.
Note 1 to Sec. 551.511. For an organizational chart listing the
Specialized Agencies, Programmes, Funds, and Related Organizations
of the United Nations, see the following page on the United Nations
website: http://www.unsceb.org/directory.
Subpart F--Reports
Sec. 551.601 Records and reports.
For provisions relating to required records and reports, see part
501, subpart C, of this chapter. Recordkeeping and reporting
requirements imposed by part 501 of this chapter with respect to the
prohibitions contained in this part are considered requirements arising
pursuant to this part.
Subpart G--Penalties and Findings of Violation
Sec. 551.701 Penalties.
(a) Section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1705) (IEEPA) is applicable to violations of the provisions
of any license, ruling, regulation, order, directive, or instruction
issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the
Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this part or otherwise under
IEEPA.
(1) A civil penalty not to exceed the amount set forth in section
206 of IEEPA
[[Page 22356]]
may be imposed on any person who violates, attempts to violate,
conspires to violate, or causes a violation of any license, order,
regulation, or prohibition issued under IEEPA.
(2) IEEPA provides for a maximum civil penalty not to exceed the
greater of $311,562or an amount that is twice the amount of the
transaction that is the basis of the violation with respect to which
the penalty is imposed.
(3) A person who willfully commits, willfully attempts to commit,
willfully conspires to commit, or aids or abets in the commission of a
violation of any license, order, regulation, or prohibition may, upon
conviction, be fined not more than $1,000,000, or if a natural person,
be imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both.
(b)(1) The civil penalties provided in IEEPA are subject to
adjustment pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment
Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-410, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note).
(2) The criminal penalties provided in IEEPA are subject to
adjustment pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3571.
(c) Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001, whoever, in any matter within the
jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the
Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully falsifies,
conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
or makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or
representation; or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing
the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent
statement or entry shall be fined under title 18, United States Code,
imprisoned, or both.
(d) Section 5 of the United Nations Participation Act, as amended
(22 U.S.C. 287c(b)) (UNPA), provides that any person who willfully
violates or evades or attempts to violate or evade any order, rule, or
regulation issued by the President pursuant to the authority granted in
that section shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000,000
or, if a natural person, be imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or
both.
(e) Violations involving transactions described at section
203(b)(1) of IEEPA shall be subject only to the penalties set forth in
paragraph (d) of this section.
(f) Violations of this part may also be subject to other applicable
laws.
Sec. 551.702 Pre-Penalty Notice; settlement.
(a) When required. If OFAC has reason to believe that there has
occurred a violation of any provision of this part or a violation of
the provisions of any license, ruling, regulation, order, directive, or
instruction issued by or pursuant to the direction or authorization of
the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this part or otherwise under
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706)
and determines that a civil monetary penalty is warranted, OFAC will
issue a Pre-Penalty Notice informing the alleged violator of the
agency's intent to impose a monetary penalty. A Pre-Penalty Notice
shall be in writing. The Pre-Penalty Notice may be issued whether or
not another agency has taken any action with respect to the matter. For
a description of the contents of a Pre-Penalty Notice, see appendix A
to part 501 of this chapter.
(b) Response--(1) Right to respond. An alleged violator has the
right to respond to a Pre-Penalty Notice by making a written
presentation to OFAC. For a description of the information that should
be included in such a response, see appendix A to part 501 of this
chapter.
(2) Deadline for response. A response to a Pre-Penalty Notice must
be made within 30 days as set forth in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of
this section. The failure to submit a response within 30 days shall be
deemed to be a waiver of the right to respond.
(i) Computation of time for response. A response to a Pre-Penalty
Notice must be postmarked or date-stamped by the U.S. Postal Service
(or foreign postal service, if mailed abroad) or courier service
provider (if transmitted to OFAC by courier), or dated if sent by
email, on or before the 30th day after the postmark date on the
envelope in which the Pre-Penalty Notice was mailed or date the Pre-
Penalty Notice was emailed. If the Pre-Penalty Notice was personally
delivered by a non-U.S. Postal Service agent authorized by OFAC, a
response must be postmarked or date-stamped on or before the 30th day
after the date of delivery.
(ii) Extensions of time for response. If a due date falls on a
federal holiday or weekend, that due date is extended to include the
following business day. Any other extensions of time will be granted,
at the discretion of OFAC, only upon specific request to OFAC.
(3) Form and method of response. A response to a Pre-Penalty Notice
need not be in any particular form, but it must be typewritten and
signed by the alleged violator or a representative thereof, contain
information sufficient to indicate that it is in response to the Pre-
Penalty Notice, and include the OFAC identification number listed on
the Pre-Penalty Notice. A copy of the written response may be sent by
facsimile, but the original also must be sent to OFAC's Office of
Compliance and Enforcement by mail or courier or email and must be
postmarked or date-stamped in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this
section.
(c) Settlement. Settlement discussion may be initiated by OFAC, the
alleged violator, or the alleged violator's authorized representative.
For a description of practices with respect to settlement, see appendix
A to part 501 of this chapter.
(d) Guidelines. Guidelines for the imposition or settlement of
civil penalties by OFAC are contained in appendix A to part 501 of this
chapter.
(e) Representation. A representative of the alleged violator may
act on behalf of the alleged violator, but any oral communication with
OFAC prior to a written submission regarding the specific allegations
contained in the Pre-Penalty Notice must be preceded by a written
letter of representation, unless the Pre-Penalty Notice was served upon
the alleged violator in care of the representative.
Sec. 551.703 Penalty imposition.
If, after considering any written response to the Pre-Penalty
Notice and any relevant facts, OFAC determines that there was a
violation by the alleged violator named in the Pre-Penalty Notice and
that a civil monetary penalty is appropriate, OFAC may issue a Penalty
Notice to the violator containing a determination of the violation and
the imposition of the monetary penalty. For additional details
concerning issuance of a Penalty Notice, see appendix A to part 501 of
this chapter. The issuance of the Penalty Notice shall constitute final
agency action. The violator has the right to seek judicial review of
that final agency action in federal district court.
Sec. 551.704 Administrative collection; referral to United States
Department of Justice.
In the event that the violator does not pay the penalty imposed
pursuant to this part or make payment arrangements acceptable to OFAC,
the matter may be referred for administrative collection measures by
the Department of the Treasury or to the United States Department of
Justice for appropriate action to recover the penalty in a civil suit
in a federal district court.
Sec. 551.705 Findings of Violation.
(a) When issued. (1) OFAC may issue an initial Finding of Violation
that identifies a violation if OFAC:
(i) Determines that there has occurred a violation of any provision
of this part, or a violation of the provisions of any
[[Page 22357]]
license, ruling, regulation, order, directive, or instruction issued by
or pursuant to the direction or authorization of the Secretary of the
Treasury pursuant to this part or otherwise under the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706);
(ii) Considers it important to document the occurrence of a
violation; and
(iii) Based on the Guidelines contained in appendix A to part 501
of this chapter, concludes that an administrative response is warranted
but that a civil monetary penalty is not the most appropriate response.
(2) An initial Finding of Violation shall be in writing and may be
issued whether or not another agency has taken any action with respect
to the matter. For additional details concerning issuance of a Finding
of Violation, see appendix A to part 501 of this chapter.
(b) Response--(1) Right to respond. An alleged violator has the
right to contest an initial Finding of Violation by providing a written
response to OFAC.
(2) Deadline for response; Default determination. A response to an
initial Finding of Violation must be made within 30 days as set forth
in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section. The failure to submit
a response within 30 days shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right
to respond, and the initial Finding of Violation will become final and
will constitute final agency action. The violator has the right to seek
judicial review of that final agency action in federal district court.
(i) Computation of time for response. A response to an initial
Finding of Violation must be postmarked or date-stamped by the U.S.
Postal Service (or foreign postal service, if mailed abroad) or courier
service provider (if transmitted to OFAC by courier), or dated if sent
by email, on or before the 30th day after the postmark date on the
envelope in which the initial Finding of Violation was served or date
the Finding of Violation was sent by email. If the initial Finding of
Violation was personally delivered by a non-U.S. Postal Service agent
authorized by OFAC, a response must be postmarked or date-stamped on or
before the 30th day after the date of delivery.
(ii) Extensions of time for response. If a due date falls on a
federal holiday or weekend, that due date is extended to include the
following business day. Any other extensions of time will be granted,
at the discretion of OFAC, only upon specific request to OFAC.
(3) Form and method of response. A response to an initial Finding
of Violation need not be in any particular form, but it must be
typewritten and signed by the alleged violator or a representative
thereof, contain information sufficient to indicate that it is in
response to the initial Finding of Violation, and include the OFAC
identification number listed on the initial Finding of Violation. A
copy of the written response may be sent by facsimile, but the original
also must be sent to OFAC by mail or courier or email and must be
postmarked or date-stamped in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this
section.
(4) Information that should be included in response. Any response
should set forth in detail why the alleged violator either believes
that a violation of the regulations did not occur and/or why a Finding
of Violation is otherwise unwarranted under the circumstances, with
reference to the General Factors Affecting Administrative Action set
forth in the Guidelines contained in appendix A to part 501 of this
chapter. The response should include all documentary or other evidence
available to the alleged violator that supports the arguments set forth
in the response. OFAC will consider all relevant materials submitted in
the response.
(c) Determination--(1) Determination that a Finding of Violation is
warranted. If, after considering the response, OFAC determines that a
final Finding of Violation should be issued, OFAC will issue a final
Finding of Violation that will inform the violator of its decision. A
final Finding of Violation shall constitute final agency action. The
violator has the right to seek judicial review of that final agency
action in federal district court.
(2) Determination that a Finding of Violation is not warranted. If,
after considering the response, OFAC determines a Finding of Violation
is not warranted, then OFAC will inform the alleged violator of its
decision not to issue a final Finding of Violation.
Note 1 to paragraph (c)(2). A determination by OFAC that a final
Finding of Violation is not warranted does not preclude OFAC from
pursuing other enforcement actions consistent with the Guidelines
contained in appendix A to part 501 of this chapter.
(d) Representation. A representative of the alleged violator may
act on behalf of the alleged violator, but any oral communication with
OFAC prior to a written submission regarding the specific alleged
violations contained in the initial Finding of Violation must be
preceded by a written letter of representation, unless the initial
Finding of Violation was served upon the alleged violator in care of
the representative.
Subpart H--Procedures
Sec. 551.801 Procedures.
For license application procedures and procedures relating to
amendments, modifications, or revocations of licenses; administrative
decisions; rulemaking; and requests for documents pursuant to the
Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts (5 U.S.C. 552 and 552a), see
part 501, subpart E, of this chapter.
Sec. 551.802 Delegation of certain authorities of the Secretary of
the Treasury.
Any action that the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to take
pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13536 of April 12, 2010, E.O. 13620
of July 20, 2012, and any further Executive orders relating to the
national emergency declared in E.O. 13536, may be taken by the Director
of OFAC or by any other person to whom the Secretary of the Treasury
has delegated authority so to act.
Subpart I--Paperwork Reduction Act
Sec. 551.901 Paperwork Reduction Act notice.
For approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507) of information
collections relating to recordkeeping and reporting requirements,
licensing procedures, and other procedures, see Sec. 501.901 of this
chapter. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays
a valid control number assigned by OMB.
Bradley T. Smith,
Acting Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
[FR Doc. 2021-08836 Filed 4-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-AL-P
