Max Honor International Trade Co. Limited
Hong Kong-registered shell company designated by OFAC on 11 May 2026 for facilitating IRGC oil logistics.
Last refreshed: 12 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is Hong Kong the preferred corporate layer for Iran's oil-smuggling networks?
Timeline for Max Honor International Trade Co. Limited
Added to SDN list as HK-registered IRGC oil-logistics entity
Iran Conflict 2026: Economic Fury hits four Hong Kong shells- What is Max Honor International Trade Co. Limited?
- A Hong Kong-registered shell company designated by OFAC on 11 May 2026 as part of Operation Economic Fury for facilitating IRGC-linked Iranian oil sales through the Hong Kong corporate layer.Source: OFAC SDN List
- Why are Hong Kong companies used in Iran oil sanctions evasion?
- HK-registered companies provide geographic and legal distance from mainland China while being closer to Asian buyers; they are less exposed to MOFCOM Blocking Rules than mainland Chinese firms but more accessible to OFAC enforcement than UAE entities.Source: OFAC / US Treasury
- Is Max Honor International Trade Co. Limited on the US Treasury SDN list?
- Yes. Max Honor International Trade Co. Limited was designated by OFAC on 11 May 2026 as part of the Economic Fury round under the Iran sanctions programme, targeting HK-registered companies facilitating IRGC crude sales.Source: OFAC SDN List
Background
Max Honor International Trade Co. Limited is one of four Hong Kong-registered entities designated by OFAC on 11 May 2026 under Operation Economic Fury. The entity operates as part of the IRGC's oil-logistics supply chain, providing a Hong Kong-registered intermediary layer between UAE-based trading companies and Asian buyers of sanctioned Iranian crude.
The four HK designations in the round were intended to maximise sanctions pressure without forcing a confrontation with Beijing ahead of Trump's summit with Xi Jinping on 13-15 May. HK entities are subject to greater US enforcement exposure than mainland Chinese companies operating under MOFCOM's Blocking Rules framework.
