Streamlining Export Controls for Drone Exports

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security 15 CFR Parts 740 and 774 [Docket No. 251222-0187] RIN 0694-AK30 AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Interim final rule. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is easing export controls on certain civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies, which currently need a license to be exported to most countries. In particular, this interim final rule (IFR): a) allows less sensitive UAVs—namely, commercial UAVs with a maximum endurance of less than one hour, for which there is broad foreign availability—to be exported to most Wassenaar Arrangement Participating States (Country Group A:1) without a license; and b) allows more capable non-military UAVs—namely, certain long-range cargo delivery and agricultural spraying drones—to be exported to certain U.S. partners and allies (Country Group A:5) under License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization (STA). Exports pursuant to License Exception STA are subject to notification and reporting requirements to ensure the security of the exports. BIS is making these changes pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14307, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance.” DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective on January 20, 2026. Comment date: Comments on this IFR must be received by BIS no later than February 19, 2026. ADDRESSES: Comments on this IFR may be submitted to the Federal rulemaking porta…