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Sanctions screening for exporters: OFAC, EU, UK and UN lists (2026)

Selling to a listed person or company, or to one they own, can freeze payments, stop shipments and break the law in several countries at once. Screening every party to a deal against the main sanctions lists before you sign and again before you ship is the basic check, and the official search tools are free.

Checked against official sources: 2026-10

At a glance

United StatesOFAC's Sanctions List Search covers the SDN List and all other OFAC lists
OFAC 50% ruleEntities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, by SDN-listed persons are also blocked, even if not named
United KingdomThe UK Sanctions List (FCDO) is the only UK list; the OFSI Consolidated List closed on 28 January 2026
UK list coversPeople, entities and ships designated under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
European UnionThe EU Sanctions Map shows all EU sanctions regimes, their legal acts and listed persons
EU help for SMEsThe European Commission's EU Sanctions Helpdesk
United NationsThe Security Council Consolidated List, with an online search
Who to screenBuyer, consignee, notify party, end user, banks, agents and the vessel

The main lists and where to search them

Ownership: the 50% rule

A company that is not on any list can still be blocked. OFAC's FAQ 10 states that, with limited exceptions, entities owned by a person on the SDN List, meaning a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50 percent or more, are also blocked. OFAC does not publish a list of these companies, so ask new customers for their ownership structure and check the owners as well.

What the EU expects from exporters

Ireland's enterprise ministry reminds businesses that SMEs must carry out due diligence and comply with EU sanctions: know their clients, and follow the 'No re-export to Russia' clause. It points SMEs to the European Commission's EU Sanctions Helpdesk for help and to the EU Sanctions Map to see which countries and regimes are affected. Goods themselves can also be restricted, so check the product as well as the party, and see export controls on dual-use items.

Step by step

  1. Collect the full legal names, addresses and owners of the buyer, consignee, notify party, end user and any agent or bank in the deal.
  2. Search each name in OFAC's Sanctions List Search, the UK Sanctions List, the EU sanctions tools and the UN Consolidated List.
  3. For companies, check the owners too: under OFAC's 50% rule a company owned 50% or more by listed persons is blocked.
  4. Check the destination, the goods and the vessel against the sanctions regimes and export controls that apply.
  5. Screen again just before shipment and before accepting payment, since the lists change often.
  6. Keep a dated record of every search result with the order documents.

Documents you usually need

Common problems and how to avoid them

The buyer is not listed, but its parent company is.

What to do: Check ownership: under OFAC's 50% rule a company owned 50% or more by listed persons is blocked even if not named.

The team still checks the old OFSI Consolidated List.

What to do: That list closed on 28 January 2026; use the UK Sanctions List published by the FCDO.

A name matches partly, for example with a different spelling.

What to do: Compare dates of birth, addresses and identifiers before deciding; if still unsure, stop and get advice.

A customer passed screening months ago.

What to do: Lists change often; screen again before each shipment and payment.

Sources

  1. OFAC FAQ 10 (Sanctions List Search and entities owned by blocked persons) US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
  2. The UK Sanctions List Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
  3. Find out about EU restrictive measures across the globe through the EU Sanctions Map data.europa.eu
  4. Sanctions Government of Ireland (enterprise.gov.ie)
  5. United Nations Security Council Consolidated List search United Nations Security Council

Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.

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Trade notes

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Common questions

Where can I check the OFAC SDN list?

In OFAC's Sanctions List Search, which covers the SDN List and all other OFAC sanctions lists.

What is the OFAC 50% rule?

Entities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, by persons on the SDN List are also blocked, with limited exceptions, even if they are not listed themselves.

Which UK sanctions list should I use in 2026?

The UK Sanctions List published by the FCDO. The OFSI Consolidated List closed on 28 January 2026 and is no longer updated.

Is there help for small EU exporters?

Yes, the European Commission's EU Sanctions Helpdesk assists SMEs with EU sanctions compliance, and the EU Sanctions Map shows the regimes in force.

Who should be screened?

Everyone in the deal: buyer, consignee, notify party, end user, agents, banks and, for sea freight, the vessel.

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