Do e-commerce stores need OFAC screening?

Yes. E-commerce platforms serving US customers must comply with OFAC sanctions. This includes blocking shipments to comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions and screening customers against the SDN list.

Can I ship to Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Cuba?

No. US persons are prohibited from exporting goods to comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions. E-commerce platforms must block orders shipping to these destinations at checkout.

Should e-commerce platforms screen customer names?

Yes. E-commerce platforms should screen customer names against the OFAC SDN list at account creation. This catches designated individuals attempting to purchase goods.

What if a customer pays with crypto?

If your e-commerce platform accepts crypto, screen the sending wallet address against OFAC-designated crypto addresses. SanctionsAI provides a free wallet checker at /tools/wallet-checker.

Best sanctions screening for e-commerce

E-commerce platforms must screen customers, block shipments to sanctioned jurisdictions, and ensure payment routing does not violate OFAC. This guide covers e-commerce-specific compliance requirements.

E-commerce sanctions risk areas

Minimum compliance for e-commerce

The minimum compliance control for e-commerce is geographic blocking: prevent orders from shipping to comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions (Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Crimea/DNR/LNR). This should be enforced at checkout via shipping address validation.

Risk area	Description	Screening approach
Customer screening	Customer or shipping address in sanctioned jurisdiction	Geographic screening at checkout
SDN-listed customers	Customer name matches OFAC SDN list	Name screening at account creation
Payment screening	Payment from sanctioned bank or crypto wallet	Bank BIN screening, wallet address screening
Drop-shipping risk	Supplier or fulfillment partner in sanctioned jurisdiction	Supplier screening at onboarding
Export controlled items	Items subject to EAR or ITAR shipped to embargoed destination	Product classification + destination screening

For e-commerce platforms: SanctionsAI provides name screening APIs for customer screening and wallet screening for crypto payments. Combine with geographic address blocking for comprehensive compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do e-commerce stores need OFAC screening?: Yes. E-commerce platforms serving US customers must comply with OFAC sanctions. This includes blocking shipments to comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions and screening customers against the SDN list.
Can I ship to Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Cuba?: No. US persons are prohibited from exporting goods to comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions. E-commerce platforms must block orders shipping to these destinations at checkout.
Should e-commerce platforms screen customer names?: Yes. E-commerce platforms should screen customer names against the OFAC SDN list at account creation. This catches designated individuals attempting to purchase goods.
What if a customer pays with crypto?: If your e-commerce platform accepts crypto, screen the sending wallet address against OFAC-designated crypto addresses. SanctionsAI provides a free wallet checker at /tools/wallet-checker.

Best sanctions screening for e-commerce

E-commerce sanctions risk areas

Minimum compliance for e-commerce

Screen your agent's next payment

Frequently Asked Questions