Statutory guidance

Counter-terrorism sanctions: guidance

GuidanceStatutory onguidance for the Counter-TerrorismCounter-terrorism (Sanctions)sanctions (EUregime, Exit)plus Regulationsa 2019 summary of its purposes, scope and prohibitions.

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The government has repealed Part 1 of the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (TAFA). These regulations have replaced TAFA, with substantially the same effect.

The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came, fullyand intocertain forceother onregulations, 31are Decemberin 2020force to implement certain UN obligations and areto meet intendedthe toUK’s replacepolicy Partobjectives. 

This 1summary gives a quick overview of TAFA.the sanctions in place under the regime. It is not comprehensive and is not a replacement for the statutory guidance or the regulations themselves. 

Summary 

TheseRegime regulationsis havelimited replacedin TAFA,scope withto substantiallysanctions thetargeting samedesignated effect.persons only. 

Designated persons  

ThisThe UK guidanceSanctions assistsList tells peopleyou who inis implementingdesignated andunder complyingthe withregime theand which regulations.sanctions Ithave coversbeen theapplied prohibitionsto andthem. requirementsA imposed,designated andperson providescan be an individual, a business or an organisation. 

The statutory guidance onlists bestin practicedetail for:the sanctions that can apply in respect of designated persons, including: 

  • complyingan withasset thefreeze prohibitionson their funds and requirementsother assets 
  • enforcingmaking themavailable funds or economic resources to them or for their benefit 
  • circumstancesdirector wheredisqualification 
  • immigration theysanction do(travel not applyban) 

This

Sanctioned guidancegoods shouldand beservices  

There readare alongsideno more detailed sanctions guidancethat publishedapply byin HMrespect Treasury,of throughgoods theand Officeservices ofunder Financialthis Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).regime.

Updates to this page

Published 20 March 2019
Last updated 1225 March 2026 + show all updates
  1. Added summary of the regime's purposes, scope and prohibitions.

  2. Page has been updated for better clarity and usability. No material changes to text.

  3. Page navigation has been updated for better usability. No material changes to text.

  4. These changes reflect the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 and taken together make a range of technical changes with the purpose of improving OFSI’s ability to gather intelligence on industry’s compliance with financial sanctions, strengthen OFSI’s enforcement powers, enable OFSI to conduct its licensing responsibilities more efficiently, and clarify financial sanctions legislation where there is existing uncertainty.

  5. Prior to 5 June 2024 the only sanction available for use under Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (“CT3”) was an asset freeze and a travel ban. On that date, in co-operation with the FCDO, The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024 came into force. These amended multiple regimes by introducing several new measures, including the new director disqualifications. The measure enables the relevant Minister to impose ‘Director disqualification sanctions’ meaning it will be unlawful for DPs subject to the measure to act as a director of a UK company. A DP subject to this measure will commit an offence if they ‘form a UK company, or act as a director or otherwise are involved in a company’s promotion, formation or management’. The update to CT3’s Statutory Guidance relates to how this measure is implemented, enforced and licenced. It also details the relevant government departments involved in this new measure.

  6. Guidance amended to include information about immigration sanctions.

  7. First published.

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