US – OFAC license applications may be submitted electronically

On April 18, 2013, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that as part of efforts to further streamline its license processing procedures, OFAC is now accepting requests for licenses, license amendments, and interpretive guidance electronically. As of April 18, applicants may go to the OFAC License Application Page and click the link to apply (1) to export agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices to Sudan or Iran pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000; (2) to travel to Cuba (for many, though not all, categories of travel to Cuba); (3) for the release of a wire transfer blocked at a U.S. financial institution; and (4) for a license or interpretive guidance in all other circumstances (referred to generally as “Transactional”). Applicants still have the option of submitting applications by mail pursuant to 31 C.F.R. § 501.801.