
What does it Mean to be Sanctioned?
In the modern world, sanctions have become an important tool in international politics. They are used to influence states, companies, or individuals by imposing limitations or restrictions on certain actions with legal consequences.
But what does it mean to be subjected to sanctions? This question concerns many, as a sanction can significantly affect economic and social life.
OFAC sanctions programs — this is one of the United States’s most well-known mechanisms regulating sanctions against other nations. OFAC develops lists of restrictions and penalties for other nations, states, companies, and individuals suspected of violating the law or norms of behavior.
Let us consider what a sanctioned person or status is, what restrictions trade sanctions inflict, and what consequences they have.
What are Sanctions?
A sanction is a measure applied by states, international organizations, or their coalitions to punish, enforce, or force behavior or influence entities’ behavior that violates international laws or norms or threatens global security. The main goal of such actions is to compel nations, companies, or individuals to change their behavior and adhere to established rules and laws.

When a person, organization, or state is subjected to sanctions, it means that certain restrictions are imposed on them. These measures can concern various spheres, such as the economy, politics or military cooperation. For example, economic sanctions are aimed at restricting trade, investment activities, or access to financial markets. This is often accompanied by the freezing of assets or the introduction of bans on the export and import of certain goods and services.
Political sanctions are applied to restrict interaction with certain nations, individuals or organizations. This may include the exclusion of a state from global communities, the termination of diplomatic relations, or the deprivation of voting rights in international laws or institutions.
Military sanctions involve a ban on the supply of weapons, the training of military specialists, or any form of military cooperation with other nations.
Personal sanctions are aimed at specific individuals and include freezing their assets, a ban on entry to certain countries, or imposing restrictions on conducting business abroad. When you get sanctions from the United Nations, your personal and professional life is subjected to serious restrictions. That can affect their freedom of movement and access to financial resources.
Moreover, humanitarian sanctions are legally aimed at restricting trade or limiting access to resources used to violate human rights or finance armed conflicts. They can punish or block those who restrict the use of revenues from natural resources or limit the trade or supply of certain technologies if they or human rights abuses threaten stability.
Thus, UN-imposed sanctions represent a tool of influence to address political, economic, and social issues in member countries. But what does it mean when a person is subjected to economic sanctions by the United Nations?
It is an individual on whom restrictions have been inflicted, hindering or limiting their usual activities. A sanction imposed by the United Nations in any form significantly changes the living and working conditions of those affected by it, making this topic relevant and significant for discussion.
What does it mean if a person is Sanctioned?
It means that a person is inflicted with some restrictions or penalties, which may concern limiting their finances, movement, or professional or other form of economic activity. Such measures and penalties are usually applied in response to violations of international laws, and norms of behavior, suspicions of involvement in illegal activities, or to exert pressure on the political and economic structures of nations.
A sanction being levied against a person may include their inclusion in government special lists like the SDN list. This list is maintained by the US government, Department of the Treasury through OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control). As such, being sanctioned means that all assets of the person under US government jurisdiction are frozen. They are also prohibited from conducting any financial transactions with US citizens and companies.
What is a sanctioned person?
This is an individual who is officially included in sanction lists. The reasons for this sanction status may include suspicions of financing terrorism, violating human rights abuses, or participating in corruption schemes. For example, well-known businessmen Roman Abramovich, Oleg Deripaska, and politician Viktor Medvedchuk were under sanctions. Restrictions and penalties inflicted on them included travel bans, account freezes, and bans on conducting business with foreign partners to comply with OFAC requirements.
Consequences for a person under sanctions include:
- Freezing of assets, which makes access to money and property abroad impossible.
- Travel restrictions that prohibit entry into countries supporting sanctions.
- Restrictions on business, as international companies and banks refuse to cooperate with people from sanctions lists.

Even in such difficult situations abiding by the law, there is a way out. Our lawyers can help negotiate with the government to remove a company or a person from the SDN list if there is evidence of wrongful inclusion or human rights violation. It is a long and complex process, but it allows individuals and companies to restore their reputations and return to a normal life.
Thus, the threat of foisted economic sanctions is a threat of a serious restriction on behavior that directly affects financial and personal freedom. Falling under a threat of severe economic sanction requires immediate actions to the behavior and minimize the threat of severe economic consequences.
What is a Sanctioned Country?
A sanction against a country is a measure aimed at restricting its political, economic, or military activity. The main goal of such measures is to punish or force or sanction or punish or compel or force or sanction or punish to force the country to change its behavior, observe international laws and norms, or cease actions or behavior that threaten global security.
The sanctions applied by nations can be unilateral and punitive when imposed and levied by the authority of one country or authority, government, or a single state. They can also be multilateral and punitive if the punitive measures are imposed, supported, and levied by a coalition of countries or international organizations such as the UN or the EU. For example, the USA, the EU, and other countries often use sanctions in response to human rights violations, nuclear programs, or acts of aggression against other states.
When a country is subjected to a trade embargo or sanctions embargo, it is prohibited by international regulations from conducting full-fledged business or trade with the embargo or other embargo states. The trade embargo and economic restrictions often include:
- Ban on the export or import of goods and technologies.
- Freezing of state assets abroad.
- Termination of financial cooperation, including access to international loans.
Examples of economic might of countries, nations under threat of sanction, and nations not under the threat of economic sanctions:
- North Korea due to the nuclear program.
- Iran for the development of nuclear weapons and support of terrorist organizations.
- Russia for violating global law and the territorial integrity of other countries.
What does it mean for nations of a country to be subjected to sanctions? It means economic isolation from the global economy, a severe slowdown in the sanction-country nations’ economic growth, and the inability of nations of sanction country nations to develop trade and investments.
If you encounter problems related in response to sanctions, you can always contact us. We will help you navigate the difficult situation and offer solutions for working under restrictions. A sanction is a serious challenge, but a competent approach can help minimize its consequences.
How to Ensure Compliance with Sanctions?
In the modern world, it is important to understand what it means to be subjected to sanctions and how to enforce compliance and avoid penalties for violating them. For this, it is necessary to strictly enforce compliance, abide by, comply with, and adhere to established sanction rules, and monitor all changes in sanction lists. A sanction can affect a business if the necessary precautions to enforce compliance and comply with it are not taken.
The first step is to check the sanction status of trade partners. All companies and trade organizations are required by law to ensure that their counterparties are not included in sanction lists such as SDN or similar international registers. If the country of a trade partner turns out to be a country subject to sanctions, this may lead to serious consequences, with penalties including fines, penalties, and restrictions for your business.
The second step is compliance with financial and trade restrictions. The imposed sanctions prohibit certain operations, including limiting the export and import of goods, limiting cooperation in trade with specific countries, and limiting access to financial resources. Organizations must implement control systems that will help them comply with compliance with sanctions, and avoid accidental sanctions and penalties imposed for violations.
The third step is consultations with OFAC lawyers. Specialists will help to understand the complex aspects of sanctions regulation and advise on how to operate under restrictions. Understanding what it means to be subjected to sanctions and competent risk management will help to avoid problems and maintain reputation.
Compliance with these measures will help minimize risks and avoid situations where your business may be affected by sanctions. If you have any questions about sanctions law and compliance or require assistance, our lawyers are ready to provide consultations and support in resolving any issues.
OFAC Lawyers will Assist with Sanctions Compliance
If you are faced with the question of what it means to be subjected to sanctions, it is important to seek professional help promptly. Lawyers specializing in sanction regulation will help you understand the complex rules and requirements. A sanction can significantly restrict your activities, but competent legal support will minimize the risks.
Our specialists have experience working to comply with international laws and sanctions, including OFAC lists. We will help to check your partners, assess risks, and develop a strategy to comply with all restrictions. If you are affected by sanctions, lawyers will help protect your interests and find a way out of a difficult situation.

