Venezuela earthquake relief: OFAC publishes GL 60
OFAC published web General License 60 authorizing certain Venezuela earthquake relief transactions under 31 CFR part 591 through Oct 23, 2026. Scope, carve-outs, and a short export/drawback file note.
OFAC is publishing Venezuela Sanctions Regulations web General License (GL) 60 (91 FR 64758-64759; FR Doc. 2026-20831), published October 13, 2026 (filed October 9, 2026). GL 60 was issued June 25, 2026, and was previously posted on ofac.treasury.gov. The FR publication puts the text in the official record under 31 CFR Part 591.
GL 60 authorizes, except as provided in paragraph (b), all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by the VSR, through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, October 23, 2026.
What GL 60 authorizes
Director Bradley T. Smith issued GL 60 on June 25, 2026. Paragraph (a) authorizes, except as provided in paragraph (b), all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (VSR), through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, October 23, 2026.
Note 1 to paragraph (a): the authorization includes the processing or transfer of funds on behalf of third-country persons to or from Venezuela in support of transactions authorized by paragraph (a). U.S. financial institutions and U.S. registered money transmitters may rely on the originator of a funds transfer regarding compliance with paragraph (a), provided the institution does not know or have reason to know that the funds transfer is not in compliance with paragraph (a).
GL 60 issued June 25, 2026 · Director Bradley T. Smith · expires 12:01 a.m. EDT Oct 23, 2026
Contact: OFAC Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs, 202-622-4855 · ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac
What GL 60 does not authorize
- Unblocking blocked property. Paragraph (b)(1) does not authorize the unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR.
- Other OFAC prohibitions. Paragraph (b)(2) does not authorize any other transactions or activities prohibited by any other Executive order or by any part of 31 CFR chapter V not referenced in this GL.
- Other Federal requirements. Note 2: nothing in the GL relieves any person from compliance with any other Federal laws or requirements of other Federal agencies.
Drawback rests on documented lawful exports. When Venezuela is in the supply chain, keep sanctions authorization (including any reliance on GL 60) with the export documentation that supports a later claim. A sanctions problem on an export is a separate legal risk from the drawback claim. For another recent OFAC sector/GL Federal Register publication, see Iran automotive and rail: OFAC E.O. 13902 sector determination.
Action items
- Confirm activity fits GL 60 before the October 23, 2026 expiration (12:01 a.m. EDT).
- Screen counterparties and do not treat GL 60 as authority to unblock property blocked under the VSR.
- Keep authorization and export docs together if Venezuela-linked shipments may later support a drawback claim.
- Watch OFAC Recent Actions on ofac.treasury.gov for any follow-on Venezuela relief licenses or expirations.
- FR Doc. 2026-20831 (91 FR 64758-64759): OFAC published Venezuela Sanctions Regulations web GL 60 under 31 CFR Part 591. Issued June 25, 2026; FR published October 13, 2026 (filed October 9).
- GL 60 authorizes, except as provided in paragraph (b), all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by the VSR, through 12:01 a.m. EDT October 23, 2026.
- Note 1 covers third-country funds processing/transfers in support of authorized transactions; U.S. financial institutions and money transmitters may rely on the originator absent knowledge or reason to know of noncompliance.
- Paragraph (b) does not authorize unblocking VSR-blocked property or other chapter V / Executive order prohibitions not referenced in the GL. Note 2: other Federal laws still apply.
- Confirm fit before Oct 23, 2026; screen counterparties; keep sanctions authorization with export documentation for any Venezuela-linked drawback file.
- Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 60 (91 FR 64758-64759; FR Doc. 2026-20831) · Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury
- Office of Foreign Assets Control · U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Contact OFAC · Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Drawback eligibility depends on your specific facts, and final refunds are determined by CBP at liquidation. Consult a licensed customs broker or attorney for your situation.