OFAC publishes Cuba sanctions regulations, amends CACR, and issues new FAQs and an alert

What's on the official record

On 29 September 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published a set of regulatory actions on its recent-actions page at https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260929_33.

OFAC is issuing a rule removing duplicative regulatory provisions and reorganizing multiple parts within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Through these actions, OFAC is eliminating over 100 subparts from its chapter of the CFR and making information regarding delegations of authority, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, and the Paperwork Reduction Act easier to locate. The page cites no Executive Order for this action.

OFAC is amending the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations to incorporate Executive Order (E.O.) 13902 of January 10, 2020, "Imposing Sanctions With Respect to Additional Sectors of Iran."

OFAC is publishing regulations to implement E.O. 14404 of May 1, 2026, "Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and Threats to the United States National Security and Foreign Policy." OFAC is also amending the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515 (CACR), to implement portions of the President's foreign policy toward Cuba.

These rules are available for public inspection with the Federal Register and will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register on September 30, 2026.

OFAC is issuing five new, Cuba-related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs 1271–1275) and 29 amended, Cuba-related Frequently Asked Questions.

OFAC is publishing an OFAC Alert, "Expanded Sanctions Against Cuba," which highlights increased sanctions risks for transactions involving Cuba.

Assessment

For a sanctions or trade-finance committee, the record gives a dated basis to re-check Cuba exposure screening. The page states that the CACR is amended to implement portions of the President's foreign policy toward Cuba and that an OFAC Alert highlights increased sanctions risks for transactions involving Cuba, so the committee can decide whether to bank, enhance diligence, or hold on Cuba-related transactions pending the Federal Register publication on September 30, 2026. The five new FAQs (1271–1275) and 29 amended FAQs are the reference set the committee can use to re-baseline its Cuba program guidance.

For an owner or operating executive, the record gives a dated basis to re-check any Cuba-touching activity before a counterparty does. The page states that regulations implementing E.O. 14404 and the amended CACR take effect upon Federal Register publication on September 30, 2026, so the executive can decide whether to stay, delay, or exit Cuba-related activity and can fix documentation before a buyer or lender checks. The "Expanded Sanctions Against Cuba" alert is the page's own signal that transaction risk has widened.

What would change this call

A Federal Register publication on September 30, 2026 that differs in text or effective date from what the page describes would change the record. A subsequent OFAC action that revises, suspends, or supersedes the CACR amendment, the E.O. 14404 implementing regulations, or the Cuba FAQs would change the call. A new OFAC Alert or guidance that narrows or widens the transaction risk described in "Expanded Sanctions Against Cuba" would change the call.

What to check next

Confidence

Filed 25 October 2026 from the record dated 29 September 2026.

Sources

[1] OFAC Recent Actions, "Publication of Regulatory Amendments; Publication of Cuba Sanctions Regulations; Issuance of New and Amended Cuba-related Frequently Asked Questions; Publication of Cuba-related OFAC Alert", 29 September 2026, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260929_33