Because 99designs is a global company operating internationally, we are required by law to comply with certain sanctions, such as those implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia, among others. Due to this requirement, 99designs is prohibited from transacting with any individual located in sanctioned locations, as well as specifically-named individuals and entities globally.
This page will be continuously updated to reflect changes in our Sanctions Policy. If you have any questions, we welcome you to reach out to us by emailing support@99designs.com.
Current restrictions related to sanctions
99designs is unable to transact with:
- Any individual located in one of the following regions or countries:
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- North Korea
- Sudan
- Syria
- Iran
- Cuba
- Russia*
- Belarus* (except for designers who signed up prior to March 23, 2022)
- Separatist regions of Ukraine:
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- The so-called Donetsk People’s Republic
- The so-called Luhansk People’s Republic
- Crimea
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- Any individual or entity named on sanctions lists, such as OFAC’s SDN List, or Australia’s Consolidated List
In addition to the measures 99designs takes to ensure compliance with sanction laws (i.e., restricting transactions with users who meet the above criteria), our third-party payment providers also have their own processes in place to ensure their compliance with sanction laws.
*As of March 2022, increasing numbers of international sanctions have been initiated in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. As a global company, these events have impacted our ability to operate and process payments with confidence in a number of regions. As a result, we are suspending all operations in Russia and limiting site access for new users in Belarus. Read more here.
How 99designs implements restrictions related to sanctions
99designs uses a variety of methods to ensure compliance with sanctions regulations. Examples of these methods include:
- Restricting access to 99designs while in listed sanctioned regions or countries
- Frequent compliance monitoring of existing site users
- Requiring additional information from site users from time to time to confirm we are adhering to our sanctions requirements
- Suspending or banning any accounts we believe to be in violation of sanctions-related restrictions
Frequently Asked Questions
What do sanctions mean for my 99designs account?
If you are accessing 99designs from one of the listed locations above, your access to the site will be restricted until further notice. Any accounts found to be circumventing or attempting to circumvent our Sanctions Policy may have their account suspended or banned.
Designers: You will not be able to login to 99designs, participate in Projects or Contests, message clients or receive payments until restrictions are lifted on your country or region.
Your 99designs profile will remain intact. However, your availability for work will be switched off automatically with your first login attempt after March 23, 2022.
Clients: You will not be able to login to 99designs, launch contests, or complete any payments toward 1-1 Projects until restrictions are lifted on your country or region.
I’m a citizen of a sanctioned country, but live and work elsewhere. Will my account be affected?
No, your account should not be affected. These are geographic sanctions that affect clients and designers living and working within the sanctioned countries or regions. Anyone accessing the site outside of these countries will continue to be able to work on 99designs as long as the bank linked to your payment or payout method is not subject to sanctions.
I’m unable to access my account, but I don’t live in a sanctioned region. What should I do?
If you believe your account has been blocked in error, please contact us immediately at support@99designs.com and we will be happy to review your account.
