GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

OFAC SDN List

The OFAC SDN List – Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons – is the U.S.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists

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Definition & Explanation

The OFAC SDN List – Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons – is the U.S. Treasury's primary sanctions blacklist, naming individuals, companies, vessels, and organizations whose assets are frozen and with whom U.S. persons are prohibited from transacting. Freight forwarders, banks, and trade finance providers screen every booking, payment, and document release against the SDN List before proceeding; a confirmed match requires immediate transaction blocking, asset freezing, and mandatory reporting to OFAC. The list is updated on a rolling basis and sits within a broader OFAC framework that also covers country-specific embargoes and sector sanctions. Although U.S. in origin, its extraterritorial reach makes SDN screening effectively mandatory for any company operating in global trade – regardless of where it is incorporated.

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OFAC SDN List

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