How to ensure compliance with Myanmar sanctions

Here is a brief look at a timeline showing developments in Myanmar that resulted in military rulership of the country and led to political instability, international pressure, and the launch of sanctions:

• After its independence from Britain in 1948, Burma adopted a parliamentary democratic government after conducting a general election in 1960.
• In 1962, General Ne Win took power from the government in a military coup which replaced the multi-party system that had been established following its independence.
• In 1988, widespread corruption, economic policy shifts, and food scarcity led to massive protests. Many protestors lost their lives and many more were displaced because of the army's violent crackdown. In the same year, Ne Win quit as party chairman. A new junta took power.
• In 2007, fuel price hikes sparked the Saffron Revolution – a series of economic and political protests. Under international pressure, the junta loosened control.
• In 2011, the military junta was overthrown, and a transitional civilian parliament dominated by the military was constituted. Thein Sein, a former army administrator and prime minister, was named president.
• In 2015, Myanmar conducted its nationwide multi-party elections. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition party, won in a landslide victory.
• In February 2021, General Min Aung Hlaing and other military commanders launched a coup and ousted the democratically elected civilian government headed by the National League for Democracy (NLD). Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained and charged with corruption. Many other party members and activists were also detained, charged, imprisoned, or placed under house arrest.
• After overthrowing the elected civilian government, the at-the-time Commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw General Min Aung Hlaing and his junta took charge of the country. The civilian death toll since the coup took place continues to rise.

These refer to asset freezes and prohibitions to make funds and economic resources available to the sanctioned persons or entities in Myanmar. Some national legislations also ban the indirect provision of funds. These aim to prevent funding human rights violations of the current regime. 

These apply to designated persons in Myanmar.

These include bans on the export, supply, sale, and delivery of critical, prohibited, or controlled goods (e.g. dual-use-goods) or services to listed Myanmar companies or governmental bodies.

These prohibit the export of weapons or military equipment to Myanmar as well as the export of dual-use goods to military end-users. The ban also applies when knowledge exists about intended military end-use of the exported items.

This refers to, for example, bans on the provision of loans or credits as well as the establishment of or investment in Myanmar companies.

Go to Australia's sanctions regime against Myanmar

Go to Canadian sanctions related to Myanmar

Go to guidance on EU restrictive measures concerning Myanmar

Go to the statutory guidance on Myanmar sanctions

Go to Burma-related sanctions of the United States

Are your business partners listed on the sanctions list?

Are the countries that are involved in your trade transactions subject to comprehensive, arms, or other trade embargoes?

Is the export, delivery, sale, or supply of these goods or services prohibited or subject to license requirements by the respective governmental authority?

Are there any indicators or red flags that your goods will be used in or contribute to the manufacturing of weapons of mass destruction or proliferation?