Sanctions screening is checking the parties to a transaction against official sanctions and watch lists to ensure dealings do not involve prohibited individuals or entities. It is part of the compliance checks around property transactions.
Where you’ll see it
You’ll see sanctions screening carried out behind the scenes by agents, banks and service providers as part of onboarding and transacting. The names of the parties and, for companies, their owners are checked against relevant lists.
Why it matters
Dealing with a sanctioned party can be unlawful and carry serious consequences. Screening protects all parties and the transaction itself by catching prohibited connections before a deal proceeds.
What it is not
Sanctions screening is not the same as KYC, though it relies on the identity information KYC gathers. It is specifically the check against sanctions and watch lists, not general identity verification.
Example
As part of onboarding a buyer, a service provider screens the buyer and any associated company against sanctions lists before proceeding with the transaction.
Connected documents and parties
Identity information, screening records; client, agent/bank, regulators.
Going deeper: related reading: know your customer.
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Last reviewed: June 2026