UNICORN PRIVATE What is the OFAC SDN list and how do you check your clients?
In short
The SDN list is published by OFAC, the sanctions office of the US Treasury.
It names people, companies, vessels and aircraft whose assets are blocked: US persons cannot deal with them.
You check it by comparing every customer and supplier name with the list, ideally every day.
What the list contains
The Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list includes individuals, companies, banks, vessels and aircraft linked to sanctioned countries, terrorism, drug trafficking, cyber crime and other programs.
Each entry shows the program, aliases, addresses and identifiers when available. Companies owned 50% or more by listed parties are also blocked, even if they are not on the list.
Who must check it
The list binds US persons wherever they are, but many other companies check it too:
- US companies and their foreign branches, and anyone acting in the United States.
- Companies that pay or get paid in US dollars, or that use US banks, goods or technology.
- Banks, payment providers, exporters and their suppliers that want to keep their banking relationships.
Fines and penalties
Statutory maximums we verified on the official texts:
- United States, OFAC: up to $377,700 per violation or twice the value of the transaction; criminal penalties up to $1,000,000 and 20 years in prison. (source)
Maximum amounts set by law, as published by the authorities linked, checked on October 29, 2026.
Live data from our copy of the list
- OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List: Entries in the copy we check: 19,484. Last update: November 2, 2026
Official source
How Unicorn Intelligence checks it
Every name you upload or connect is compared with OFAC SDN list together with all the other lists, every day. You see the source, the date and how similar the name is, so you can decide quickly.
- Upload a list, connect your CRM or type a name.
- We compare each name with the list, also with spelling variants and transliterations.
- Possible matches show the list, the source, the date and the similarity, and you decide.
Check your clients for free
Upload your contacts and see in a few minutes how many names need a closer look. When you sign up you get a gift of $50 in credit.
Frequently asked questions
How often does the OFAC SDN list change?
OFAC updates it whenever it adds or removes names, often several times a month. That is why a single check at onboarding is not enough.
Is a company owned by an SDN also blocked?
Yes. Under the OFAC 50% rule, an entity owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, by one or more blocked persons is blocked too, even if it is not on the list.
Do I have to check the SDN list if my company is not American?
It depends on your links with the United States, such as dollar payments, US banks or US goods. Many non US companies check it to protect their banking relationships. Ask your legal advisor for your case.
The program can make mistakes. The final responsibility for compliance stays with your company. Unicorn Intelligence is an information tool. Decisions and legal obligations, including sanctions compliance, due diligence and tender participation, remain with the customer.