Statutory guidance

Iraq sanctions: guidance

GuidanceStatutory onguidance for the Iraq (Sanctions)sanctions (EUregime, Exit)plus Regulationsa 2020 summary of its purposes, scope and prohibitions.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Export Control Joint Unit and Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation
Published
31 December 2020
Last updated
121 MarchMay 2026 — See all updates

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Iraq sanctions: statutory guidance

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The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 came, fullyand intocertain forceother onregulations, 31are Decemberin 2020.force to implement certain UN obligations.  

This guidancesummary assistsgives peoplea inquick implementingoverview andof complyingthe withsanctions in place under the regulations. regime. It coversis thenot prohibitionscomprehensive and requirementsis imposed,not anda providesreplacement for the statutory guidance onor bestthe practiceregulations for:themselves. 

    Summary 

    Regime is limited in scope to: 

    1. complyingsanctions withtargeting thedesignated prohibitionspersons  
    2. asset andfreeze requirementssanctions on persons specified by the UN 
    3. enforcingsanctions themin respect of: 
    • circumstancesmilitary wheregoods theyand dotechnology 
    • illegally notremoved applyIraqi cultural property 

    Designated persons  

    ThisThe UK guidanceSanctions shouldList tells you bewho readis designated under alongsidethe moreregime detailedand which sanctions guidancehave publishedbeen byapplied departmentsto includingthem. A designated person can be an individual, a business or an organisation.  

    The Regulations impose a partial asset freeze on the Departmentformer Government of Iraq and its state bodies, corporations and agencies. 

    The regulations impose an asset freeze in relation to persons connected with the former Iraqi regime.   

    Sanctioned goods and services 

    You must not export or otherwise supply or transfer to or for Businessuse in Iraq, or to a person connected with Iraq certain goods in these categories (this is not an exhaustive list): 

    • military, security and Tradepara-military (DBT)goods, software and HMtechnology Treasury,and througharms, ammunition and therelated Officematerial 

    Related brokering ofservices may Financialalso Sanctionsbe subject Implementationto (OFSI).sanctions. 

    You must not export or import, supply, deliver, make available or acquire ‘illegally removed Iraqi cultural property’, or provide financial services, funds or brokering services in connection with an arrangement whose object or effect is one of these prohibited acts.

Updates to this page

Published 31 December 2020
Last updated 121 MarchMay 2026 + show all updates

  1. Changes to the licensing responsibilities for DBT licensing teams.

  2. Added summary of the regime's purposes, scope and prohibitions.

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

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

  5. 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.

  6. Updated to reflect provisions of UN Humanitarian Exception SI

  7. First published.

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