U.S. guidance on authorized transactions, licensing for exports following earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

U.S. OFAC and BIS guidance

Licensing for exports following earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today issued guidance on authorized transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Syria.

The guidance [PDF 220 KB] is in response to questions from the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community and the general public on how to provide assistance related to earthquake relief to Syria while complying with OFAC sanctions.

Expedited licensing for exports

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is expediting the processing of export license applications for items needed to aid survivors of the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.

According to the BIS release [PDF 180 KB], Türkiye and Syria are subject to different licensing requirements under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

  • Most items needed to aid the Turkish people do not require an export license, but BIS will expedite any necessary license applications it receives.
  • Syria is subject to comprehensive export controls. All items, except for most food and medicine, require a license for export and reexport to Syria. Export and reexport license requirements should not prevent or otherwise impede the shipment of aid and recovery-related items intended directly for the Syrian people or through nongovernmental humanitarian organizations (NGOs) in-country.

Examples of items eligible for expedited licensing include heavy equipment, telecommunications hardware and software, portable generators and other power generation equipment, medical devices, water purification and sanitation equipment, and shelter materials.


For more information, contact a professional with KPMG’s Trade & Customs services:

Doug Zuvich
Partner and Global Practice Leader
E: dzuvich@kpmg.com

John L. McLoughlin
Principal and East Coast Leader
E: jlmcloughlin@kpmg.com

Andy Siciliano
Partner and National Practice Leader
E: asiciliano@kpmg.com

Steve Brotherton
Principal and Global Export and Sanctions Leader
E: sbrotherton@kpmg.com

Luis (Lou) Abad
Principal, Washington National Tax
E: labad@kpmg.com

Irina Vaysfeld
Principal
E: ivaysfeld@kpmg.com

Amie Ahanchian
Principal
E: aahanchian@kpmg.com

Christopher Young
Principal
E: christopheryoung@kpmg.com

Gisele Belotto
Principal
E: gbelotto@kpmg.com

George Zaharatos
Principal
E: gzaharatos@kpmg.com

Andy Doornaert
Managing Director
E: adoornaert@kpmg.com

Jessica Libby
Principal
E: jlibby@kpmg.com

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