Sanctions - Syria

This is to advise persons and businesses in the Island that on 19 June 2012 the European Union (Syria Sanctions) (Application) (Amendment) Order 2012 had the effect of applying in Island law Council Regulation (EU) No. 168/2012, which applied earlier Regulation (EU) No. 36/2012 and which modified the sanctions measures imposed in respect of Syria.

The new Regulation -

• introduced prohibitions on the sale etc to, or purchase etc, from the Government of Syria, its Central Bank, persons and entities in Syria (or anyone acting for, or on behalf of, any of these), of gold, precious metals and diamonds;
• a prohibition on involvement in providing technical assistance, brokering services, financing or financial assistance in connection with the above; and
• a limited exemption for certain transfers to or through the Central Bank of Syria of funds or economic resources.

An updated version of Sanctions Notice 38 (Syria) is available on the Customs and Excise website.

Persons and businesses in the Island are also reminded that changes to the lists of those persons and entities affected by the asset freeze in Annex II to Council Regulation (EU) No. 36/2012 also apply in the Island from the date the change occurs. The current consolidated list of those affected may be found on the HM Treasury website.

You are also advised that on 17 June 2012 Council Regulation (EC) No. 509/2012 came into effect. This Regulation supplemented existing export licensing controls (see Notice 279 MAN for more information on such controls) with a prohibition on -

• the sale, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, to Syria of certain dual-use items already listed (and therefore subject to control in the EU and the Isle of Man) in Council Regulation (EC) No. 428/2009 on export control of dual-use items, along with an additional list of chemicals; and
• the sale, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, of listed luxury goods.

The Regulation also imposed licensing (prior authorisation) requirements for the sale, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, of further dual-use items that may be used for internal repression.

Export and trade control licensing in the Isle of Man (detailed in Notice 279 MAN) would take into account these new prohibitions and restrictions.

A copy of Notice 279 MAN can be found on the Customs and Excise website.

For more information contact the Sanctions Officer.