What is OFAC SDN list?
Ava Richardson
Updated on April 29, 2026
What is OFAC SDN list?
As part of its enforcement efforts, OFAC publishes a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. Collectively, such individuals and companies are called “Specially Designated Nationals” or “SDNs.”
What is OFAC list verification?
OFAC Search (also known as OFAC Screening, OFAC Scrubbing, and OFAC List Screening) is the process by which organizations identify whether or not any parties involved in a transaction can be found on watch lists maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of U.S. Department of the Treasury.
How often does OFAC mail the SDN list?
The OFAC SDN list may be updated as frequently as a few times a week or as rarely as once in six months.
How do you do a OFAC search?
You can look up a person’s or company’s name in an OFAC search on the U.S. Treasury’s website. All documents are public and easy to access. They are updated when necessary and there are records of post information. There will be a check on the person’s or company’s name against the Specially Designated National list.
What does the SDN list do?
The Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, also known as the SDN List, is a United States government sanctions/embargo measure targeting U.S.-designated terrorists, officials and beneficiaries of certain authoritarian regimes, and international criminals (e.g., drug traffickers).
How many names are on the OFAC SDN list?
6,300 names
OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) has approximately 6,300 names connected with sanctions targets. OFAC also maintains other sanctions lists which have different associated prohibitions.
What should you do if you have a hit against the SDN list?
If it’s hitting against OFAC’s SDN list or targeted countries, continue FORWARD. If it’s hitting for some other reason, you should contact the “keeper” of whichever other list the match is hitting against.
Who must be screened against the OFAC list?
The Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List)
- Twelve individuals: three with U.S. dual citizenship or temporary/permanent resident status; and nine foreign individuals w.
- Forty-five U.S. companies: all defunct shell companies established by narcotics traffickers.
What is the SDN list comprised of?
The list is managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The SDN list contains tens of thousands of companies, organizations, and individuals who have been identified as posing a threat to U.S. national security and foreign and economic policy.
How many OFAC lists are there?
Due to the diversity among sanctions, we advise visiting the “Sanctions Programs and Country Information” page for information on a specific program. OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) has approximately 6,300 names connected with sanctions targets.
How do I contact OFAC?
Contact us by Telephone
| Toll Free Hotline Number | 1-800-540-6322 |
|---|---|
| Local Hotline Number | 1-202-622-2490 |
| OFAC Licensing Division (Direct Number) | 1-202-622-2480 |
What does SDN mean?
Software Defined Network
SDN
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| SDN | Software Defined Network |
| SDN | Secure Data Network |
| SDN | Specially Designated National |
| SDN | Service Delivery Network |
What does SDN stand for OFAC?
OFAC stands for the Office of Foreign Assets Control. OFAC is the branch of the US. Treasury Department that enforces sanctions against terrorist, drug cartels, certain. countries, organizations, and individuals. These persons and groups are known as. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN).
Who is on OFAC list?
The Balkans
What is the OFAC sanctions list?
Balkans: Restrictions on activities with specific parties
What are the three branches of OFAC?
Legislative—Makes laws (Congress,comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate)
