Shopify · Shopify Acceptable Use Policy · View original document ↗

OFAC Sanctions and Export Controls Compliance

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Document Record

What it is

Merchants cannot use Shopify to sell to or do business with individuals, companies, or countries that are on US government sanctions lists, or to export products in violation of US export law.

This analysis describes what Shopify's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes Shopify's operational compliance framework with U.S. sanctions and export control law. The clause requires the platform to restrict service access for transactions that would create legal liability under federal sanctions and trade regulations.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision primarily affects merchant compliance obligations rather than consumer rights, but it means international buyers from sanctioned countries or those on government watchlists will be blocked from completing purchases on Shopify-powered stores.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You may not use Shopify's Services to engage in transactions with individuals or entities subject to economic sanctions, including those on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list, or to export goods or services in violation of applicable export control laws.

— Excerpt from Shopify's Shopify Acceptable Use Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision directly engages OFAC regulations under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701–1706) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 4305), implemented through country-specific sanctions programs at 31 C.F.R. Parts 500–598. Export Administration Regulations (EAR, 15 C.F.R. Parts 730–774) administered by BIS and ITAR (22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130) administered by DDTC apply to specific product categories. Enforcement authority: OFAC (Treasury), BIS (Commerce), DDTC (State). (2)

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    FTC coordinates with OFAC on consumer-facing sanctions compliance issues and enforces against deceptive representations about geographic availability of services
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Shopify Acceptable Use Policy
Entity
Shopify
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 15, 2026
Last verified
April 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002656
Document ID
CA-D-00124
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
c3d037196ffbb1471c40eb696d0527749e9581d33970cdd9620dc96a8e8dfbdb
Analysis generated
March 15, 2026 12:02 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Shopify
Document: Shopify Acceptable Use Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002656
Captured: 2026-03-15 12:02:55 UTC
SHA-256: c3d037196ffbb147…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/shopify/shopify-acceptable-use-policy/ofac-sanctions-and-export-controls-compliance/
Accessed: June 4, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Shopify's OFAC Sanctions and Export Controls Compliance clause do?

This provision establishes Shopify's operational compliance framework with U.S. sanctions and export control law. The clause requires the platform to restrict service access for transactions that would create legal liability under federal sanctions and trade regulations.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision primarily affects merchant compliance obligations rather than consumer rights, but it means international buyers from sanctioned countries or those on government watchlists will be blocked from completing purchases on Shopify-powered stores.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Shopify?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Shopify.