Entity Screening
Learn how sanctions screening, denied party screening, and ownership reviews help organizations identify compliance risk before doing business.
What is Entity Screening?
Entity screening is the process of evaluating companies, individuals, vessels, and organizations against sanctions lists, restricted party lists, watchlists, and other compliance data sources.
Organizations use screening to identify prohibited transactions, reduce regulatory risk, and support import and export compliance programs.
Why It Matters
- • Reduce sanctions and restricted-party risk
- • Support import and export compliance
- • Identify ownership-related exposure
- • Document screening decisions
- • Create audit-ready records
What Gets Screened?
Restricted Parties
Screen companies, individuals, vessels, and organizations against government sanctions and watchlists.
Ownership & Affiliations
Identify potential ownership exposure, affiliate relationships, and OFAC 50% Rule risk.
Trade Risk Indicators
Evaluate enforcement actions, export restrictions, sanctions signals, and other compliance risk indicators.
Common Screening Sources
U.S. Lists
- • OFAC SDN List
- • BIS Entity List
- • Military End User Lists
International Lists
- • UN Sanctions
- • EU Sanctions
- • UK Sanctions
Other Regulatory Sources
- • Debarred parties
- • Export restrictions
- • Enforcement actions
Screening Workflow
- 1
Identify the Party
Supplier, customer, consignee, freight forwarder, distributor, or other trade party.
- 2
Run Screening
Screen against relevant sanctions lists, restricted party lists, and watchlists.
- 3
Review Matches
Investigate potential matches, false positives, and risk indicators.
- 4
Document Decisions
Record dispositions, reviewer rationale, and supporting evidence.
- 5
Re-Screen as Needed
Monitor entities as sanctions lists, ownership structures, and risk signals change.
Entity Screening in BITE
Ownership Risk & OFAC 50% Rule
Sanctions risk can extend beyond directly listed entities. Ownership relationships and affiliate structures may create compliance exposure even when the immediate party is not directly listed.
Entity Screening Walkthrough
See how to screen an entity, review possible matches, investigate ownership exposure, and document screening decisions in BITE.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is denied party screening?
Denied party screening checks whether a party appears on sanctions, restricted party, or government watchlists.
How often should entities be screened?
Entities should be screened during onboarding, before transactions, and periodically as lists and ownership structures change.
What is the OFAC 50% Rule?
The OFAC 50% Rule treats entities owned 50% or more by blocked persons as blocked, even if the entity itself is not directly listed.
What should I do if a match is found?
Review the match, document the disposition, escalate where needed, and avoid proceeding until the risk is resolved.