US OFAC authorizes sale of Russian crude loaded by April 17, 2026
US importers' trade-compliance teams can accept Russian-origin cargoes loaded by Apr 17
Change
US OFAC issued General License 134B authorizing delivery and sale in the United States of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin loaded on vessels as of April 17, 2026.
Why it matters
The authorization is narrowly limited to cargoes with verifiable vessel loading dates on or before April 17, 2026. Parties relying on the license must be able to prove the load date or risk that the transaction lacks legal cover and faces enforcement risk.
Implications
- — US importers' trade-compliance teams, correspondent banks and trade-finance teams, and vessel operators and US port agents handling discharge — must obtain and retain verifiable evidence (certified bills of lading or loading certificates) showing the cargo was loaded on or before April 17, 2026 before accepting delivery, discharging cargo, or executing payments — without such proof transactions will fall outside General License 134B coverage and involved parties risk blocked transactions and OFAC enforcement, including penalties.
- — Commercial legal and contracting teams for crude and petroleum purchases — must update acceptance, title-transfer, and documentation requirements immediately to require GL 134B-compliant proof of vessel loading dates — contracts closed or title transferred without GL-compliant evidence may be illegal and expose counterparties to enforcement actions and contractual liability.
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Source
OFAC
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