UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation

CONTEXT

UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, administers UK financial-sanctions enforcement. Post-Brexit the UK operates its own autonomous sanctions regime under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA), often (but not always) aligned with EU + US measures. UK sanctions apply to UK persons anywhere, UK-incorporated entities, transactions in or through the UK, and UK-flag vessels / aircraft. Licence pathways: General Licences (issued for specific sectors), Specific Licences (OFSI case-by-case). OFSI imposes penalties via Monetary Penalty Notices: maximum the greater of GBP 1M or 50% of the breach value. Persistent or major breaches can be referred to the National Crime Agency for criminal prosecution.