BIS is transferring jurisdiction over certain sound suppressors from the State Department's U.S. Munitions List (USML) to the Commerce Control List (CCL) under the EAR. Sound suppressors will be added under new ECCN paragraphs 0A501.f (suppressors for rifles and pistols) and 0A502.f (suppressors for shotguns). License applications will be reviewed case-by-case. License exceptions available for firearms (LVS, BAG, TMP) will also be available for suppressors. License Exception TMP is revised to allow firearms and related items to be exported as 'tools of trade.' Partial provisions effective July 23, 2026; full rule effective November 20, 2026. Comments due August 24, 2026.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule granting enhanced favorable treatment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The UAE has been removed from Country Groups D:3 and D:4 and reclassified to Country Group A:5 (Major Defense Partners). This action eliminates certain restrictions on support for UAE unmanned aerial vehicle programs and expands license-free export opportunities for dual-use items, advanced computing items, and certain military items under License Exception STA. The rule also authorizes license-free exports, reexports, and in-country transfers for certain government and commercial end-users in the UAE. Compliance teams should review the specific eligibility criteria and reporting requirements associated with these new authorizations.
BIS reached a $36 million administrative enforcement settlement with Robert Bosch GmbH for violations pertaining to shipments of MEMS sensor products and automotive software to Huawei without required licenses. The violations involved Foreign Direct Product Rule violations. Bosch filed a Voluntary Self-Disclosure and cooperated with the investigation, which was considered in the penalty determination.
BIS issued guidance clarifying that a license is required to export advanced computing items (ECCNs 3A090.a/b, 4A090.a/b) to entities headquartered in Country Group D:5 or Macau, or with an ultimate parent company headquartered in those regions—even if the entities themselves are located elsewhere. The guidance confirms that this license requirement under § 742.6(a)(6)(iii)(A) predates the AI Diffusion Rule and remains in effect. Bona fide data center operators are not required to cease ongoing use or storage of advanced computing items pending further BIS notice.
BIS published a Federal Register notice announcing an Emerging Technology Technical Advisory Committee (ETTAC) meeting (including an open session and a closed session). While not an EAR text amendment, the notice is compliance-relevant as it indicates the committee will discuss potential revisions to export control policies and pre-decisional changes to the Commerce Control List/EAR. The notice invites submission of written statements for consideration (by the stated deadline for timely distribution). Compliance teams may wish to monitor outputs from ETTAC activity as an early indicator of possible future CCL/EAR changes affecting emerging technologies.
ATF updated regulations at 27 CFR Parts 447 and 479 to add conforming references to the Department of Commerce, acknowledging shared jurisdiction between Commerce and State over defense articles transferred from the U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List under Export Control Reform. The rule closes a regulatory gap from the March 2020 transfer of USML Categories I-III (Firearms, Guns and Armament, Ammunition) to CCL jurisdiction. Items remain subject to ATF permanent import regulations while also being subject to EAR export controls. The direct final rule becomes effective July 6, 2026 unless significant adverse comments are received by June 5, 2026.
BIS announced an administrative enforcement settlement with Coastal PVA Technology, Inc., reinforcing enforcement expectations under the EAR for transactions involving Entity List parties. The settlement underscores that EAR99 items can still require authorization when exported/reexported/transferred to restricted parties (e.g., Entity List), and highlights due diligence expectations around distributor/reseller transactions and end-user screening, as well as compliance program elements such as procedures, training, and audits that may be required as settlement terms.
Coastal PVA Technology, Inc. agreed to pay $1,700,000 for eighteen violations of the EAR involving exports of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) brushes between May 2021 and May 2024 to Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation (SMIC Beijing) and Semiconductor Manufacturing North China (Beijing) Corporation (SMIC North), both of which were identified on the Entity List at the time of the exports.
BIS issued a final rule extending the deadline for authorized IC designer status applications from April 13, 2026 to December 31, 2026. After December 31, 2026, applicants may be considered authorized IC designers for 180 days while their applications are processed. This affects ECCN 3A090.a and front-end fabricator due diligence requirements under the advanced computing integrated circuit controls.
BIS issued a final rule amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by revising Note 1 to ECCN 3A090.a (Supplement No. 1 to 15 CFR Part 774) to replace the date “April 13, 2026” with “December 31, 2026” in paragraphs a.(2) and a.(3). This extends the trigger date for “authorized integrated circuit (IC) designer” status and the application deadline to become an “approved IC designer,” which affects how exporters can use/qualify for pathways intended to address presumptions and licensing posture for certain advanced logic integrated circuits controlled under ECCN 3A090.a. Compliance teams should update internal procedures, eligibility planning, and any supplier/customer communications keyed to the prior April 2026 deadline.
BIS published a final rule (15 CFR part 774) titled "Extension of Authorized Integrated Circuit (IC) Designer Status and Application Deadline To Become an Approved IC Designer" extending the date tied to "authorized integrated circuit designer" status and the deadline for submitting applications to become an approved IC designer under Note 1 to ECCN 3A090.a. The rule extends the relevant triggering/application date to December 31, 2026 (replacing a prior April 2026 date referenced in the rule). This affects exporters, reexporters, and transferors involved in advanced computing/logic IC supply chains who rely on the approved/authorized IC designer pathways associated with ECCN 3A090 controls; compliance teams should update internal calendars, application planning, and customer/supplier qualification workflows accordingly.
BIS suspended the availability of License Exception SCP (Support for the Cuban People) under § 740.21(b)(1) for any export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) involving Cuban-owned banks. The determination is based on documented diversion concerns and the fact that Cuban banks form the financial infrastructure of the regime, with many designated on the Cuba Restricted List due to control by Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. Transactions using third-country banks to avoid deposit of funds into Cuban-owned banks remain eligible for License Exception SCP. Shipments already en route as of March 4, 2026 may proceed if completed by April 3, 2026.
BIS imposed a $252 million penalty on Applied Materials—the second-highest penalty ever assessed by BIS—for illegally exporting semiconductor manufacturing equipment to an Entity List company in China. The company routed shipments through Korea to evade license requirements. The case demonstrates BIS's aggressive enforcement posture toward semiconductor-related export violations and efforts to circumvent Entity List restrictions.
BIS removed Cambodia from Country Group D:5 (U.S. Arms Embargoed Countries) to conform with the State Department's November 7, 2025 removal of Cambodia from ITAR §126.1. Cambodia remains in Country Group D:1 (National Security concerns), and military end-user restrictions under §§744.21 and 744.22 remain in effect. This reflects renewed U.S.-Cambodia defense cooperation.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule removing Cambodia from Country Group D:5 (U.S. Arms Embargoed Countries) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This conforming change aligns the EAR with the November 7, 2025 revision to ITAR § 126.1 that removed the U.S. arms embargo on Cambodia. However, compliance teams should note that Cambodia remains in Country Group D:1 (National Security restrictions), and military end-user restrictions under EAR § 744.21 and military-intelligence end-user restrictions under EAR § 744.22 remain in effect. Certain license requirements for exports and reexports to Cambodia continue to apply based on these ongoing controls.
BIS issued an Interim Final Rule easing export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to facilitate exports to trusted allies. ECCN 9A012.a.1 UAVs (30-60 minute endurance, stable in winds ≥25 knots) now have reason for control changed from NS Column 1 to NS Column 2, enabling license-free export to Country Group A:1 destinations (Wassenaar states). Missile Technology-controlled UAVs (ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120) are now eligible for License Exception STA to Country Group A:5 destinations, except UAVs capable of delivering ≥500 kg payload to ≥300 km range. Implements Executive Order 14307 'Unleashing American Drone Dominance.'
BIS issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR parts 740 and 774) to ease export/reexport/transfer requirements for certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Key changes include: (1) for ECCN 9A012.a.1 short-endurance civil UAVs, BIS revised the reason for control from NS Column 1 (NS1) to NS Column 2 (NS2), expanding no-license-required (NLR) eligibility to more destinations (as described in the rule); (2) BIS expanded License Exception STA by adding § 740.20(c)(1)(ii), allowing certain Missile Technology (MT)-controlled UAVs in ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120 to use STA for exports/reexports/transfers to or within Country Group A:5, while maintaining an exclusion for UAVs capable of delivering ≥500 kg payload to a range of ≥300 km; and (3) BIS made conforming/implementing text edits including to § 740.20(b)(2)(iii) and STA carve-outs in § 740.2(a)(5). The rule was effective January 20, 2026, and BIS requested public comments by February 19, 2026. Compliance teams exporting commercial/civil UAVs should reassess classification (ECCN), destination eligibility (Country Group A:1 vs A:5), STA eligibility conditions, and any internal screening/controls tied to MT parameters.
BIS issued an Interim Final Rule easing export restrictions for certain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies. The rule allows specified drones and UAV-related items to be exported to U.S. partners and allies in Country Group A:5 under License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization (STA), subject to notification and reporting requirements. This action implements Executive Order 14307 'Unleashing American Drone Dominance.' Comments on the IFR are due by February 19, 2026.
The BIS has issued an interim final rule to streamline export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This update reduces regulatory burden for low-risk commercial drone exports while maintaining national security safeguards.
BIS amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the license review policy for exports of certain advanced computing commodities to China and Macau. The change shifts review from a “presumption of denial” to “case-by-case” for specified items when stated conditions are met (e.g., exporter certifications and supporting data/assurances referenced in the rule). Compliance teams should reassess licensing strategy, internal documentation/certification workflows, and transaction screening for applicable ECCNs/transactions involving China and Macau under the updated review policy.