UK Syria sanctions: updated guidance on prohibitions

The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has published statutory guidance on the Syria sanctions regime effective 1 May 2026. The guidance sets out the purposes, scope, and prohibitions that apply to all persons and entities subject to UK jurisdiction, including UK persons and entities operating abroad.

Scope and application

The Syria sanctions regime restricts dealings with designated persons and entities, as well as goods and materials originating from or destined for Syria. The guidance clarifies that the regime applies to:

• All persons in the UK
• All entities incorporated or constituted under UK law
• All persons and entities carrying on business in the UK
• UK persons and entities wherever located

Key prohibitions for traders and shippers

The guidance outlines core prohibitions relevant to commercial activity:

"Any person must not directly or indirectly supply, sell or transfer goods to, or for the benefit of, any person in Syria; facilitate or finance the supply, sale or transfer of goods to Syria; or supply or deliver goods destined for Syria."

Shippers and freight forwarders must:

• Verify that counterparties, beneficial owners, and end-users are not designated
• Obtain assurance that goods are not destined for designated persons or Syria
• Conduct due diligence on trade finance arrangements
• Freeze assets and funds belonging to designated persons immediately upon notification
• Report suspicious activity and breaches to OFSI

Asset freeze and financial restrictions

Designated persons' funds and economic resources must be frozen immediately. UK entities cannot facilitate access to the UK financial system, make funds available, or provide financial services to designated persons without a license.

Penalties for non-compliance

Breaches of Syria sanctions can result in civil penalties of up to £20,000 per breach and criminal liability (up to 7 years imprisonment and unlimited fines in the Crown Court). Directors, officers, and employees can be held personally liable.

What this means for shippers

All exporters and freight forwarders must implement Syria sanctions screening on every shipment, counterparty, and beneficial owner before undertaking any transaction. Download OFSI's consolidated list of designated persons and cross-reference it against your customer database, consignees, and beneficial owners immediately. Do not proceed with any shipment to or through Syria or to any designated person without explicit OFSI authorization. Use our sanctions-screening tool to automate compliance checks and mitigate the risk of criminal and civil penalties. /sanctions-screen