Does anyone know the legal issues relating to sending money to someone in Syria?

[brooklynite]

As some of you know, my wife and I traveled to Syria last year, before the uprising started. Our guide, a local archaeologist is living in Aleppo and is working with local refugees. He can apparently receive money through Western Union, but I'm not clear if there are any legal restrictions relating to sending currency to an individual Syrian citizen. Any knowledge here?

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Check

The OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control) list at the SOS website. Specifically Syria Sanctions - 07/10/2008.

Also -if are thinking you are going to wire money - you need to check the financial institution's status on the specially designated list.

Good luck. PM if you need help digging into the details. I think you may want to proceed with caution here.


ETA - Some details for you -


http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Sanctions/Pages/ques_index.aspx#syrQuestions Regarding Syria
​ ​
135 Are travel-related transactions permissible under the new Syria Executive order 13582?

Questions Related to OFAC Syria General License No. 4: Exports or reexports to Syria of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations:

136 What does the term "items" cover, and what is meant by items subject to the Export Administration Regulations?
137 Regarding OFAC Syria General License No. 4A, will I need a specific license from OFAC to export or reexport food or medicine to the Government of Syria?
138 Does General License No. 4A authorize U.S. persons to export or reexport from a third country to Syria or the Government of Syria a foreign-made item with either no U.S. content or de minimis U.S. content?

OFAC Syria General License No. 6: Personal Remittances

140 May I continue to send money to family or friends in Syria?
141 May I send personal remittances through the Commercial Bank of Syria, the Syrian-Lebanese Commercial Bank, or the Syria International Islamic Bank (SIIB) to family or friends in Syria?

General License No. 11: Authorizing Services in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations’ Activities in Syria

205 Who is authorized to send money to support certain nongovernmental organizations’ activities?
206 As an individual, may I transfer funds directly to Syria in support of authorized NGO activities under General License No. 11?



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Wish I had more detail - but my focus is on consumer goods and federal government supplier.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I don't see any barriers to sending money to Syria, but read this:

http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/wnyc-news-blog/2012/aug/28/syrian-americans-face-barriers-reaching-family-syria/

[brooklynite]

3. Here's the relevant passage:

140. May I continue to send money to family or friends in Syria?

Yes. General License No. 6 authorizes U.S. depository institutions, U.S. registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S. registered money transmitters to process noncommercial, personal remittances to or from Syria, or for or on behalf of an individual ordinarily resident in Syria, provided the funds transfer is not by, to, or through the Government of Syria or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked. [06-22-12]