OFAC publishes four Russia sanctions general licenses
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has published four general licenses (GLs 55E, 115C, 13P, and 131C) under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations on the Federal Register. These licenses authorize specific transactions and activities that would otherwise be prohibited under Russian sanctions. The publication formalizes previously web-only licenses, providing clear regulatory guidance for shippers, financial institutions, and businesses engaged in cross-border commerce involving Russian entities or transactions.
Photo: Irina Balashova / PexelsOFAC Publishes Four Russia Sanctions General Licenses
On May 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) formally published four general licenses in the Federal Register under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations.
GLs 55E, 115C, 13P, and 131C were previously made available on OFAC's website.
These licenses—55E, 115C, 13P, and 131C—had been available on OFAC's website but are now published in the Federal Register for formal notice and compliance transparency. General licenses under OFAC sanctions programs authorize specific transactions, activities, and dealings that would otherwise be prohibited under the imposed sanctions. The formal publication ensures all regulated parties, including exporters, freight forwarders, financial institutions, and e-commerce merchants, have unified access to the authorizations.
Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions target entities and individuals involved in malicious cyber activity, election interference, disinformation campaigns, and other harmful activities against U.S. interests. Shippers and logistics providers moving goods to or from Russia, or handling transactions involving Russian sanctioned parties, must screen against OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and comply with applicable general licenses to avoid penalties ranging from civil fines ($250,000–$2 million per violation) to criminal liability.
While the source does not detail the specific scope of each license, the publication ensures that exporters, freight forwarders, and e-commerce operators have clear, official guidance on which transactions remain authorized under U.S. Russia sanctions law. Any transaction not covered by a general license requires a specific license from OFAC, which carries significant processing delays and approval uncertainty.
What this means for shippers
Review all four licenses (55E, 115C, 13P, 131C) immediately if you handle any exports, re-exports, or transactions touching Russia or Russian entities. Failure to comply with OFAC sanctions carries civil penalties up to $2 million per violation and potential criminal charges. Screen every shipment, payer, consignee, and intermediary against the OFAC SDN List before booking or releasing cargo. Use our sanctions-screening tool to automate compliance and flag denied parties in real time.
