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The sectoral sanctions identifications list is a sanctions list kept by the U.S. Treasury. It is run by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC. Most people call it the SSI List. It names companies and people who face sectoral sanctions. These sanctions block certain types of dealings, not every dealing. That makes the SSI List different from a full block list.
If your business trades with parties in affected sectors, you need to understand this list. The rules are narrow and easy to get wrong. This guide explains what the SSI List is, how it works, and how it differs from the well known SDN List. It fits inside your wider denied party screening checks.
What the SSI List is
The SSI List is a public list of parties named under sectoral sanctions. Sectoral sanctions target specific parts of an economy. Think energy, finance, or defence. The goal is to limit certain activities without cutting off the party fully.
OFAC created the SSI List to apply these narrow rules. Each entry on the list is tied to one or more Directives. The Directive tells you which type of dealing is restricted. So you cannot just see a name and stop. You must read the Directive that applies to that party.
How sectoral sanctions work
Sectoral sanctions do not freeze a party’s assets. They do not ban all business. Instead they block set activities. The Directives spell out what is off limits. A dealing that one Directive bans may still be fine under another.
Here are common types of restriction you may see under sectoral sanctions.
- New debt with a term longer than a set number of days.
- New equity in the named party.
- Certain goods, services, or technology for specific projects.
- Support for named deepwater, Arctic, or shale oil work.
The exact limits depend on the Directive. This is why reading the Directive matters so much. The list gives you the name. The Directive gives you the rule.
SSI List vs SDN List
People often mix up the SSI List and the SDN List. Both come from OFAC. But they carry very different weight. The SDN List is a full block list. The SSI List is not.
If a party is on the OFAC SDN List, U.S. persons must freeze that party’s property. In most cases you cannot deal with them at all. Their assets are blocked. The SSI List works in a softer way. You can still do many things with an SSI party. You just cannot do the specific dealings that the Directive bans.
| Point | SDN List | SSI List |
|---|---|---|
| Type of block | Full block | Sector specific |
| Assets frozen? | Yes, in general | No, not by the SSI listing itself |
| Can you deal at all? | Mostly no | Yes, except banned dealings |
| What sets the rule | The listing itself | The Directive tied to the entry |
The takeaway is simple. An SDN hit usually means stop. An SSI hit means check the Directive, then decide.
Ownership and the 50 percent rule
Sectoral sanctions can reach beyond the named party. OFAC applies an ownership rule here too. If one or more SSI parties own a large enough share of another entity, that entity can be treated as subject to the same restrictions.
This is the same idea as the 50 percent rule used for other OFAC lists. It means you cannot only screen the exact names. You should also look at who owns your counterparty. A clean name can still hide a restricted owner.
How to screen against the SSI List
You do not have to check the SSI List on its own. OFAC folds it into a wider tool. The Consolidated Screening List pulls together many U.S. lists in one place. Good screening software checks all of them at once.
Steps to follow
- Screen your customers, suppliers, and other parties by name.
- Check for close matches, not only exact ones.
- Look at ownership for possible SSI owned entities.
- If you get an SSI hit, find the Directive for that entry.
- Read the Directive and see if your dealing is restricted.
- Record what you found and what you decided.
Many hits turn out to be false alarms. Learn how to handle a false positive so you do not block good trade. Keep an audit trail of each check. It shows regulators you did the work.
Why this matters for your business
Sectoral rules are narrow but the fines are not. A banned dealing can bring heavy penalties. The narrow scope can trick teams. They see they can trade with a party, then miss the one dealing that is banned.
Strong screening across all denied party lists keeps you safe. It also builds a clear record. That record helps if you ever face a review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SSI List the same as the SDN List?
No. Both come from OFAC, but they differ a lot. The SDN List is a full block. The SSI List only restricts set dealings tied to a Directive. You can still do other business with an SSI party.
Who has to comply with SSI sanctions?
U.S. persons must comply. That includes U.S. firms and their staff. Others can be exposed too, since these rules can affect global deals. If you touch U.S. trade, you should screen against this list.
Where do I find the SSI List?
OFAC publishes the SSI List on the U.S. Treasury website. It also appears inside the Consolidated Screening List. Most screening tools include it by default, so you rarely need to search it by hand.
Key Takeaways
The SSI List names parties under sectoral sanctions. It restricts certain dealings, not every dealing, and that sets it apart from the full block SDN List. Always read the Directive tied to each entry, check ownership, and keep a record of your checks. If you want help building this into your process, get in touch with our team.