Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SanctionsWise API.
General​
What is SanctionsWise API?​
SanctionsWise API is a sanctions screening service that helps businesses comply with US Federal sanctions regulations. It screens names and entities against OFAC SDN, OFAC Consolidated, and BIS Entity List using advanced fuzzy, phonetic, and semantic matching.
What sanctions lists are supported?​
| List | Authority | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| OFAC SDN | US Treasury | Real-time |
| OFAC Consolidated | US Treasury | Daily |
| OFAC FSE | US Treasury | Real-time |
| OFAC SSI | US Treasury | Real-time |
| BIS Entity List | Commerce Dept | Weekly |
How often is the data updated?​
OFAC lists are updated in real-time as OFAC publishes changes. BIS Entity List is updated weekly. The data_freshness field in every response shows the exact timestamp of the last data update.
Technical​
How does the 5-layer matching work?​
The matching engine uses five complementary approaches:
- Exact Match - Normalized string comparison
- Fuzzy Match - Jaro-Winkler + SequenceMatcher for typos
- Phonetic Match - Soundex + Double Metaphone for pronunciation variants
- Semantic Match - AI embeddings for contextual similarity
- Identifier Match - Document number verification
See Matching Algorithms for details.
What is an evidence chain?​
Every match includes complete source traceability:
- Source authority (e.g., US Treasury OFAC)
- Source list ID
- Original entry identifier
- Last update timestamp
This supports compliance audits and regulatory requirements.
What response time should I expect?​
| Operation | Typical Response |
|---|---|
| Single entity (warm) | 10-50ms |
| Single entity (cold) | 500-1000ms |
| Batch (100 entities) | 500-2000ms |
| With semantic search | +200ms |
What's the maximum batch size?​
100 entities per batch request. For larger lists, submit multiple batch requests.
Integration​
How do I get an API key?​
- Subscribe via AWS Marketplace
- Complete registration
- Access keys at app.orchestraprime.ai
Or contact sales@orchestraprime.ai for direct access.
Do you have SDKs?​
We provide code examples for Python, JavaScript/Node.js, Java, and cURL. See SDK Examples.
What's the API base URL?​
https://api.orchestraprime.ai/sanctionswise
How do I handle rate limits?​
Implement exponential backoff:
import time
for attempt in range(3):
try:
response = screen_entity(name)
break
except RateLimitError as e:
time.sleep(e.retry_after or 2 ** attempt)
See Error Handling for complete implementation.
Billing​
How much does it cost?​
| Tier | Price | API Calls/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 500 |
| Starter | $99 | 5,000 |
| Professional | $299 | 25,000 |
| Enterprise | Custom | 100,000+ |
See Pricing Tiers for full details.
Can I try before buying?​
Yes! The Free tier includes 500 API calls/month with no credit card required.
How does billing work?​
SanctionsWise API uses AWS Marketplace for billing. Charges appear on your AWS invoice.
Can I upgrade/downgrade?​
Yes, you can change tiers anytime. Changes take effect at the next billing cycle.
Compliance​
Is SanctionsWise API compliant with regulations?​
SanctionsWise API provides the data and audit trails needed for:
- BSA/AML compliance
- OFAC compliance programs
- KYC/Customer Due Diligence
- FINRA requirements
You are responsible for implementing appropriate compliance workflows.
How long should I retain screening records?​
| Regulation | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| BSA/AML | 5 years |
| OFAC | 5 years |
Always consult your compliance team for specific requirements.
Can I use this for non-US entities?​
Yes, you can screen any entity. However, the sanctions lists are US Federal lists (OFAC, BIS). For non-US sanctions (EU, UN, etc.), contact us about future list additions.
Support​
How do I get help?​
- Documentation: You're here!
- Email: support@orchestraprime.ai
- Status Page: status.orchestraprime.ai
What's included in each support tier?​
| Tier | Support Level |
|---|---|
| Free | Community / Documentation |
| Starter | Email (24h response) |
| Professional | Priority (4h response) |
| Enterprise | Dedicated support |
How do I report a bug?​
Email support@orchestraprime.ai with:
- API request (sanitized)
- Response received
- Expected behavior
- Timestamp
Data & Privacy​
What data do you store?​
We log API requests for:
- Usage metering
- Debugging
- Service improvement
We do not store screening results beyond your API response.
Where is data processed?​
All processing occurs in AWS US regions (us-east-1).
Is my data encrypted?​
Yes:
- In transit: TLS 1.3
- At rest: AES-256
Have more questions? Contact support@orchestraprime.ai