UNICORN PRIVATE How to screen suppliers against sanctions lists for free: step by step
Unicorn Intelligence lets you screen all your suppliers against OFAC, EU, UK and UN sanctions lists for free: a test of the whole supplier list from a file or from QuickBooks, Xero or Sage, and a free check of single names without sign-up.
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Short answer: with Unicorn Intelligence you can screen suppliers against sanctions lists for free in two ways: a free check of a single supplier name with no sign-up, and a free test of the whole supplier list, uploaded as a CSV or Excel file or read from QuickBooks, Xero or Sage, which shows how many suppliers have possible matches on the OFAC, EU, UK, UN and other official lists. Paying a sanctioned supplier, even through an intermediary, can breach an asset freeze, so suppliers deserve the same checks as customers.
Key definitions
Supplier screening: checking vendors, subcontractors and service providers against sanctions and restricted party lists before onboarding and before payments.
Restricted party lists: lists beyond financial sanctions, such as the US Consolidated Screening List for export controls.
Beneficial owner: the person who ultimately owns or controls the supplier. A supplier owned 50% or more by listed persons can be treated as listed.
Free options for suppliers
| Need | Free option | Sign-up |
|---|---|---|
| One new supplier | Unicorn Intelligence free name check | None |
| One list at a time | OFAC search, EU Sanctions Map, UK Sanctions List, UN list, US Consolidated Screening List | None |
| The whole supplier list | Unicorn Intelligence free list test from a file or accounting software | Email sign-in, no card |
Step by step
- Export the vendor list from your accounting or purchasing software, with name and country.
- Check new suppliers one by one with the free name check before the first order.
- Test the whole list: sign in at intel.unicornprivate.com, open the list test and upload the file, or connect QuickBooks, Xero or Sage read-only.
- Read the risk map of possible matches by list and by country.
- Review possible matches with registration numbers, addresses and owners before the next payment run.
- Keep the list checked: lists change without a fixed calendar (OFAC recent actions), so put the supplier list under daily monitoring.
Run a free name check
Good practice
- Screen before onboarding and before each payment run, not only once.
- Include the supplier's owners and the bank account holder when they differ.
- Watch for changes of name, address or bank details.
- Keep a record of each check and each decision.
Run a free test on all your contacts now and find out if there are any compliance issues.
Run a free test on all your contacts now and find out if there are any compliance issues.
Unicorn Intelligence is an informational tool: legal decisions and obligations remain the company's.
FAQ
How can I screen suppliers against sanctions lists for free?
Check single suppliers with the Unicorn Intelligence free name check (no sign-up) or on the official government sites, and test the whole supplier list for free by uploading a file or connecting QuickBooks, Xero or Sage.
Can I screen all my suppliers at once?
Yes. The free list test accepts from 10 up to 20,000 names from CSV, XLSX, ODS, pasted text or connected accounting software.
Which lists matter for suppliers?
The OFAC, EU, UK and UN sanctions lists, and for goods and technology also export control lists such as the US Consolidated Screening List.
How often should suppliers be screened?
Before onboarding, before payments and whenever the lists change. Daily monitoring covers changes between payment runs.
What if a supplier matches?
Pause payments and orders, compare identifiers to rule out a false match and seek legal advice if the match is confirmed. The decision remains the company's.
Do I need to check the supplier's owners?
Yes. A supplier owned 50% or more by listed persons can be blocked even if its own name is not on any list.
Sources
Informative content: decisions and legal obligations remain yours.