At Patreon, we are committed to upholding global regulatory standards, particularly in adhering to economic sanctions and trade restrictions set forth by authoritative bodies such as the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) within the US Department of the Treasury. As a US-based company with international operations, it is imperative that we ensure compliance with these regulations to maintain ethical and legal integrity.
Regardless of your geographical location, our sanctions policy applies universally to all members. When creating or updating your Patreon account or page, it is essential to provide accurate information about yourself and your country of residence. Failure to do so may lead to the termination of your account or page.
In accordance with our commitment to compliance, we observe restrictions on transactions involving:
- Certain countries, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and specific regions such as Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), along with any individuals or entities operating or residing therein
- Individuals or entities listed on sanctions rosters, such as OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals (“SDN”) List or the Foreign Sanctions Evaders (“FSE”) List
To safeguard our community and ensure adherence to these regulations, we undertake various measures, including:
- Prohibiting access to Patreon from certain geographic locations
- Restricting creators from offering benefits originating from sanctioned areas
- Requesting additional information or actions from users to facilitate compliance
Should we suspect any violation of economic sanctions or trade restrictions, including operating an account from a sanctioned location or benefiting sanctioned entities, we reserve the right to suspend, terminate or take appropriate action on the account.
Furthermore, it is important to note that different countries may impose additional trade restrictions, and certain items may be subject to export or import prohibitions under international laws. Members engaging in transactions with international parties should familiarise themselves with relevant jurisdictional laws. For legal counsel, consulting a qualified professional is recommended.
Additionally, our payment partners, such as PayPal, Visa and Mastercard, independently monitor financial transactions for sanctions compliance and may block transactions as part of their own compliance protocols. Please be aware that Patreon does not influence or control the decisions made by these providers.
Given the dynamic nature of economic sanctions and trade restrictions, updates may occur frequently, potentially impacting our ability to engage with members or imposing additional restrictions on benefits. We encourage members to stay informed by referring to relevant resources provided by authoritative bodies, including the US Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Industry and Security at the US Department of Commerce, Department of State, and the European Commission.
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a compliant and responsible community at Patreon.