OFAC publishes Venezuela General Licenses 5U and 5V
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has published two general licenses (GLs 5U and 5V) under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations in the Federal Register. These licenses were previously available on OFAC's website and are now formally documented in the Federal Register as of June 10, 2026.
Photo: Jose Ricardo Barraza Morachis / PexelsOFAC Venezuela General Licenses 5U and 5V now in Federal Register
On June 10, 2026, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published two general licenses under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations in the Federal Register. According to OFAC's notice:
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing two general licenses (GLs) issued pursuant to the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations: GLs 5U and 5V, each of which was previously made available on OFAC's website.
These general licenses had been available on OFAC's website prior to their Federal Register publication and establish authorizations for certain transactions under the Venezuela sanctions regime.
Shippers, freight forwarders, and exporters conducting business involving Venezuelan entities or goods originating from Venezuela must ensure compliance with OFAC sanctions regulations. General licenses provide specific authorizations for otherwise prohibited transactions—in this case under GLs 5U and 5V—and failure to comply with sanctions requirements can result in substantial civil and criminal penalties.
Exporters and intermediaries should review the full text of GLs 5U and 5V on OFAC's website to confirm whether their transactions qualify for authorization under these licenses, or whether they require a specific license from OFAC.
What this means for shippers
Any exporter or freight forwarder moving goods to, from, or involving Venezuela must verify compliance with GLs 5U and 5V and the broader Venezuela Sanctions Regulations before shipment. Consult OFAC's website for the full license text and seek legal guidance if your transaction does not clearly fall within these general licenses. Screen all parties and goods against OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list and consolidated sanctions list before proceeding.
