Can private companies import crude oil into Venezuela?

PDVSA state monopoly on crude production and export. US OFAC sanctions framework (Executive Orders 13692, 13808, 13827, 13835, 13850, 13857, 13884) blocks PDVSA property and most transactions with US nexus.

Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in Venezuela?

PDVSA controls domestic refining (Paraguaná, El Palito, Puerto La Cruz). OFAC general licences govern allowable transactions.

Does OilFlow screen counterparties against Venezuela regulations?

Yes. The same rule table shown on this page ships in the Regulatory Matrix API; counterparty checks destined for Venezuela are gated against these rules automatically.

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Regulatory

Venezuela — oil import rules

These are the same rules the Regulatory Matrix API serves for Venezuela-bound trade: which products private parties can move, which run through a government or monopoly route, and which are closed outright.

Open to private trade0

Restricted4

Blocked0

Compiled regulatory guidance from OilFlow Network, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the relevant national regulator before structuring a deal.

Product-by-product

Crude oilRESTRICTED: Restricted — government/monopoly routePDVSA state monopoly on crude production and export. US OFAC sanctions framework (Executive Orders 13692, 13808, 13827, 13835, 13850, 13857, 13884) blocks PDVSA property and most transactions with US nexus.
Refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet)RESTRICTED: Restricted — government/monopoly routePDVSA controls domestic refining (Paraguaná, El Palito, Puerto La Cruz). OFAC general licences govern allowable transactions.
LPGRESTRICTED: Restricted — government/monopoly routePDVSA Gas Comunal controls LPG. Same OFAC framework applies.
gasRESTRICTED: Restricted — government/monopoly routePDVSA Gas monopoly. Chevron operates under specific OFAC General Licence.

Frequently asked

Can private companies import crude oil into Venezuela?: PDVSA state monopoly on crude production and export. US OFAC sanctions framework (Executive Orders 13692, 13808, 13827, 13835, 13850, 13857, 13884) blocks PDVSA property and most transactions with US nexus.
Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in Venezuela?: PDVSA controls domestic refining (Paraguaná, El Palito, Puerto La Cruz). OFAC general licences govern allowable transactions.
Does OilFlow screen counterparties against Venezuela regulations?: Yes. The same rule table shown on this page ships in the Regulatory Matrix API; counterparty checks destined for Venezuela are gated against these rules automatically.

Use this jurisdiction

These rules ship in the Regulatory Matrix API, from $99/mo. Bank compliance teams hit /api/v1/regulatory/check to gate counterparty intake automatically; subscribers get webhooks on every rule change. Screening a specific counterparty into Venezuela? Run a free check first.