(a) General licenses. General licenses may be issued authorizing, under appropriate terms and conditions, certain types of transactions that are subject to the prohibitions contained in this chapter. General licenses also may be issued authorizing, under appropriate terms and conditions, certain types of transactions that are subject to prohibitions contained in economic sanctions programs the implementation and administration of which have been delegated to the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) but which are not yet codified in this chapter. General licenses are set forth in subpart E of each part contained in this chapter or made available on OFAC's website: https://www.treasury.gov/resourcecenter/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx. It is the policy of OFAC not to grant applications for specific licenses authorizing transactions to which the provisions of a general license are applicable. Persons availing themselves of certain general licenses may be required to file reports and statements in accordance with the instructions specified in those licenses. Failure to file timely all required information in such reports or statements may nullify the authorization otherwise provided by the general license and result in apparent violations of the applicable prohibitions that may be subject to OFAC enforcement action.

(b) Specific licenses—(1) General course of procedure. Transactions subject to the prohibitions contained in this chapter, or to prohibitions the implementation and administration of which have been otherwise delegated to the OFAC Director, that are not authorized by general license may be effected only under specific license.

(2) Applications for specific licenses. Applications for specific licenses to engage in any transactions prohibited by or pursuant to this chapter, or sanctions programs that have been otherwise delegated to the OFAC Director for implementation and administration, must be signed, either manually or electronically, and filed through OFAC's Reporting and License Application Forms page (https://licensing.ofac.treas.gov/) or, if that option is unavailable, by mail, addressed to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Licensing Division, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Freedman's Bank Building, Washington, DC 20220. Applications for the unblocking of funds may be submitted via OFAC's Reporting and License Application Forms page (https://licensing.ofac.treas.gov/) or, if that option is unavailable, by using Form TD-F 90-22.54, “Application for the Release of Blocked Funds,” or via a submission that otherwise contains all of the information provided for in Form TD-F 90-22.54. Form TD-F 90-22.54 may be obtained from OFAC's Reporting and License Application Forms page, or by mail at the address above.

(i) Additional conditions. Applicants should submit only one copy of a specific license application to OFAC; submitting multiple copies may result in processing delays. Any person having an interest in a transaction or proposed transaction may file an application for a specific license authorizing such a transaction.

(ii) Information to be supplied. The applicant must supply all information specified by relevant instructions (available on OFAC's Reporting and License Application Forms page at https://licensing.ofac.treas.gov) and/or forms, and must fully disclose the names of all parties who are concerned with or interested in the proposed transaction. If the application is filed by an agent, the agent must disclose the name of his or her principal(s). Such documents as may be relevant shall be attached to each application as a part of such application, whether filed electronically or by mail, except that documents previously filed with OFAC may, where appropriate, be incorporated by reference in such application. Applicants may be required to furnish such further information as is deemed necessary to assist OFAC in making a determination. Any applicant or other party in interest desiring to present additional information may do so at any time before or after OFAC makes its decision with respect to the application. In unique circumstances, OFAC may determine that an oral presentation regarding a license application would assist in OFAC's review of the issues involved. Any requests to make such an oral presentation must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Director, but are rarely granted.

(3) Issuance of specific license. Specific licenses normally will be issued by OFAC. Specific licenses also may be issued by the Secretary of the Treasury acting directly or through any specifically designated person, agency, or instrumentality.

(4) Reports under specific licenses. As a condition for the issuance of any specific license, the licensee may be required to file reports with respect to the transactions authorized by the specific license in such form and at such times and places as may be prescribed in the license or otherwise. Reports should be sent in accordance with the instructions provided in the applicable specific license.

(5) Effect of denial. The denial of a specific license does not preclude the reconsideration of an application or the filing of a further application. The applicant or any other party in interest may at any time request, by written correspondence, reconsideration of the denial of an application on the basis of new facts or changed circumstances.

(6) Rules governing availability of information. OFAC records are made available to the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) and the provisions of 31 CFR part 1. See 31 CFR 1.5 for provisions pertaining to business information. License applications submitted to OFAC and specific licenses issued by OFAC are subject to the FOIA and generally will be released upon the receipt of a valid FOIA request, unless OFAC determines that such information should be withheld in accordance with an applicable FOIA exemption.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control will advise each applicant of the decision respecting filed applications. The decision of the Office of Foreign Assets Control acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to an application shall constitute final agency action.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the provisions of each part of this chapter and any rulings, licenses (whether general or specific), authorizations, instructions, orders, or forms issued thereunder may be amended, modified or revoked at any time.

(a) All rules and other public documents are issued by the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. In general, rulemaking by the Office of Foreign Assets Control involves foreign affairs functions of the United States, and for that reason is exempt from the requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) for notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public comment, and delay in effective date.

(b) Any interested person may petition the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in writing for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of any rule.

(a) The records of the Office of Foreign Assets Control which are required by the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) to be made available to the public shall be made available in accordance with the definitions, procedures, payment of fees, and other provisions of the regulations on the Disclosure of Records of the Departmental Offices and of other bureaus and offices of the Department of the Treasury issued under 5 U.S.C. 552 and published at 31 CFR part 1.

(b) The records of the Office of Foreign Assets Control which are required by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) to be made available to an individual shall be made available in accordance with the definitions, procedures, requirements for payment of fees, and other provisions of the Regulations on the Disclosure of Records of the Departmental Offices and of other bureaus and offices of the Department of the Treasury issued under 5 U.S.C. 552a and published at 31 CFR part 1.

(c) Any form issued for use in connection with this chapter may be obtained in person or by writing to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.—Annex, Washington, DC 20220, or by calling 202/622-2480.

(d) Certain Civil Penalties Information. (1) After the conclusion of a civil penalties proceeding that results in either the imposition of a civil monetary penalty or an informal settlement, OFAC shall make available to the public certain information on a routine basis, not less frequently than monthly, as follows:

(i) In each such proceeding against an entity, OFAC shall make available to the public

(A) The name and address of the entity involved,

(B) The sanctions program involved,

(C) A brief description of the violation or alleged violation,

(D) A clear indication whether the proceeding resulted in an informal settlement or in the imposition of a penalty,

(E) An indication whether the entity voluntarily disclosed the violation or alleged violation to OFAC, and

(F) The amount of the penalty imposed or the amount of the agreed settlement.

(ii) In such proceedings against individuals, OFAC shall release on an aggregate basis

(A) The number of penalties imposed and informal settlements reached,

(B) The sanctions programs involved,

(C) A brief description of the violations or alleged violations,

(D) A clear indication whether the proceedings resulted in informal settlements, in the imposition of penalties, or in administrative hearing requests pursuant to the Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA), 50 U.S.C. 5(b), and

(E) The amounts of the penalties imposed and the amounts of the agreed settlements.

(2) The medium through which information will be released is OFAC's website at http://www.treas.gov/ofac.

(3) The information made available pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall not include the following:

(i) The name of any violator or alleged violator who is an individual.

(ii) Records or information obtained or created in the implementation of part 598 of this chapter.

(4) On a case-by-case basis, OFAC may release additional information concerning a particular civil penalties proceeding.

When a transaction results in the blocking of funds at a financial institution pursuant to the applicable regulations of this chapter and a party to the transaction believes the funds have been blocked due to mistaken identity, that party may seek to have such funds unblocked pursuant to the following administrative procedures:

(a) Any person who is a party to the transaction may request the release of funds which the party believes to have been blocked due to mistaken identity.

(b) Requests to release funds which a party believes to have been blocked due to mistaken identity must be made in writing and addressed to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Complianc Division, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Freedman's Bank Building, Washington, DC 20220, or sent by email to the Compliance Division at [email protected].

(c) The written request to release funds must include the name, address, telephone number, and (where available) fax number of the party seeking the release of the funds. For individuals, the inclusion of a social security number is voluntary but will facilitate resolution of the request. For corporations or other entities, the application should include its principal place of business, the state of incorporation or organization, and the name and telephone number of the appropriate person to contact regarding the application.

(d) A request to release funds should include the following information, where known, concerning the transaction:

(1) The name of the financial institution in which the funds are blocked;

(2) The amount blocked;

(3) The date of the blocking;

(4) The identity of the original remitter of the funds and any intermediary financial institutions;

(5) The intended beneficiary of the blocked transfer;

(6) A description of the underlying transaction including copies of related documents (e.g., invoices, bills of lading, promissory notes, etc.);

(7) The nature of the applicant's interest in the funds; and

(8) A statement of the reasons why the applicant believes the funds were blocked due to mistaken identity.

(e) Upon receipt of the materials required by paragraph (d) of this section, OFAC may request additional material from the applicant concerning the transaction pursuant to § 501.602.

(f) Following review of all applicable submissions, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control will determine whether to release the funds. In the event the Director determines that the funds should be released, the Office of Foreign Assets Control will direct the financial institution to return the funds to the appropriate party.

(g) For purposes of this section, the term “financial institution” shall include a banking institution, depository institution or United States depository institution, domestic bank, financial institution or U.S. financial institution, as those terms are defined in the applicable part of this chapter.

A person may seek administrative reconsideration of his, her or its designation or that of a vessel as blocked, or assert that the circumstances resulting in the designation no longer apply, and thus seek to have the designation rescinded pursuant to the following administrative procedures:

(a) A person blocked under the provisions of any part of this chapter, including a specially designated national, specially designated terrorist, or specially designated narcotics trafficker (collectively,“a blocked person”), or a person owning a majority interest in a blocked vessel may submit arguments or evidence that the person believes establishes that insufficient basis exists for the designation. The blocked person also may propose remedial steps on the person's part, such as corporate reorganization, resignation of persons from positions in a blocked entity, or similar steps, which the person believes would negate the basis for designation. A person owning a majority interest in a blocked vessel may propose the sale of the vessel, with the proceeds to be placed into a blocked interest-bearing account after deducting the costs incurred while the vessel was blocked and the costs of the sale. This submission must be made in writing and addressed to the Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.—Annex, Washington, DC 20220.

(b) The information submitted by the blocked person seeking unblocking or by a person seeking the unblocking of a vessel will be reviewed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which may request clarifying, corroborating, or other additional information.

(c) A blocked person seeking unblocking or a person seeking the unblocking of a vessel may request a meeting with the Office of Foreign Assets Control; however, such meetings are not required, and the office may, at its discretion, decline to conduct such meetings prior to completing a review pursuant to this section.

(d) After the Office of Foreign Assets Control has conducted a review of the request for reconsideration, it will provide a written decision to the blocked person or person seeking the unblocking of a vessel.

Upon submission to the Office of Management and Budget of an amendment to the overall burden hours for the information collections imposed under this part, the license application and other procedures set forth in this subpart are applicable to economic sanctions programs for which implementation and administration have been delegated to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.