U.S. BIS eases export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Less sensitive UAVs and more capable non-military UAVs can be exported to certain countries
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce today released an interim final rule easing export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies.
This rule allows:
- Less sensitive UAVs, such as commercial UAVs with a maximum endurance of less than one hour, to be exported to most Wassenaar Arrangement Participating States without a license
- More capable non-military UAVs, like long-range cargo delivery and agricultural spraying drones, to be exported to certain U.S. partners and allies under License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization (STA), subject to notification and reporting requirements
Background
President Trump in June 2025 issued an executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce to review and amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to expedite the export of U.S.-manufactured civil UAVs to foreign partners, provided such exports do not pose a risk to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. The UAV industry has made significant technological advancements, and the interim final rule aims to support a strong and secure domestic UAV industry vital to the U.S. defense industrial base.
Summary
The interim final rule revises the reason for control for UAVs described under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A012.a.1, making them eligible for export and reexport to destinations in Country Group A:1 without a license. Certain UAVs described under ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120 are now eligible for License Exception STA when exported to or within Country Group A:5, provided they are not capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a distance of at least 300 km.