Key Takeaways: The Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued a temporary final rule under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (“DPAS”) that restricts exports of shredded lithium-ion battery scrap containing cathode material, known as “black mass,” as well as tungsten and other waste by U.S. entities. Published on August 6, 2026, and effective immediately
BIS Eases Export Controls on the UAE
Key Takeaways: The UAE’s reclassification to Country Group A:5 in the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) is one of the most significant expansions of U.S. export licensing flexibility extended to a Middle Eastern partner in recent years. Exporters should promptly assess whether existing licensed shipments or pending BIS applications can now be restructured under a
State Department Proposes ITAR Part 130 Amendments to Reduce Defense Sales Reporting Burden
Key Takeaway: DDTC’s proposed rule would shift ITAR Part 130 reporting from a transaction-linked model to consolidated annual submissions. It also proposes raising monetary thresholds for the first time since 1993. By making notifications of political contributions and fees or commissions related to foreign arms sales simpler and clearer, the proposal will make reporting more
DOJ’s National Security Division Announces First Declination Under New Corporate Enforcement Policy With Parallel BIS Settlement
On June 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ( National Security Division (NSD) announced that it had issued a declination for Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) relating to potential violations of the Export Control Reform Act, 50 U.S.C. § 4819 (ECRA). Specifically, the DOJ declined to criminally prosecute Bosch’s violations of the Export Administration Regulations’ (EAR)
BIS Confirms Advanced Chip License Requirements Extend to D:5 and Macau-Headquartered Entities Worldwide
Key Takeaway: BIS’s latest guidance closes an ambiguity created by the AI Diffusion Rule rollback, confirming that the original 2023 license requirement for advanced computing items exported to Country Group D:5 and Macau-headquartered entities remains in full force – regardless of where those entities are physically located.
On May 31, 2026, the U.S. Department of
ATF Catches Up with Export Control Reform (Better Late than Never!)
Key Takeaway: ATF’s latest final rule closes a regulatory gap left by the Export Control Reform (“ECR”) initiative, acknowledging that the Department of Commerce now shares jurisdiction alongside the Department of State over items on ATF’s United States Munitions Import List (“USMIL”).
On May 6, 2026, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”)
BIS Fines Teledyne FLIR $1 Million for Unlicensed China-Related Thermal Camera Exports and De Minimis Miscalculations
On February 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) reached an administrative enforcement settlement with Teledyne FLIR LLC and its affiliates FLIR Optoelectronic Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. and Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc. d/b/a Teledyne FLIR OEM, (together, “Teledyne FLIR”), imposing a $1,000,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations
House Passes Remote Access Security Act to Limit Adversaries’ Remote Access to Critical Technology
On January 12, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming passed (369-22) the Remote Access Security Act, modernizing U.S. export controls to address foreign adversaries’ remote access to controlled technologies through cloud computing services.
Currently, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) does not consider the provision of cloud computing
China Announces New Export Controls Targeting Japan
On January 6, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”) issued Announcement No. 1 [2026], imposing export controls on dual-use items destined for Japan. The measures took effect immediately, with no wind-down period.
Under the announcement, exports of all dual-use items from China are prohibited where the end user or end use: (i) involves Japanese
State Department Removes Cambodia from ITAR 126.1 Proscribed Countries List
The U.S. Department of State (“State”) has decided to lift the defense trade embargo against Cambodia. Accordingly, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) will publish on November 7, 2025, a final rule amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) at § 126.1 to remove Cambodia from the proscribed countries list.
For countries included