Last fall, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) paused its issuance of new export licenses involving certain firearms, related “parts,” “components,” and ammunition. On April 30, BIS will publish an interim final rule tightening controls of exports of these items. The interim final rule will take effect on May 30.

The interim final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by:

  • Adding four new Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) to better track exports of firearms and related items. The new ECCNs are 0A506 (semi-automatic rifles previously controlled under 0A501), 0A507 (semi-automatic pistols previously controlled under 0A501), 0A508 (semi-automatic shotguns previously controlled under 0A502), and 0A509 (certain “parts,” “components,” “devices,” “accessories,” and “attachments” for items controlled under 0A506, 0A507, and 0A508).
  • Revaluating the controls for existing 0x5zz ECCNs, which includes rifles, pistols, shotguns, ammunition, and related “parts,” “components,” “accessories,” “attachments,” “software,” and “technologies.” The changes implement new license requirements for the export or reexport of certain shotguns to certain countries and end users.
  • Adding an import certificate requirement for license applications involving exports or reexports to Organization of American States (OAS)[1] member countries and any other destination where an import certificate is required under local law. Previously, exporters were not required to submit import certificates from non-OAS member countries that required one.
  • Revising certain unique license application requirements,including requiring a purchase order be submitted for exports and reexports of firearms and related items to non-A:1 countries. The purchase order must be dated within one year of the application’s submission date. Applicants should review all license requirements before submitting a license application.
  • Adding an import certificate requirement for shipments under a license exception for items controlled under ECCNs 0A501, 0A502, 0A504, 0A505, 0A506, 0A507, 0A508, or 0A509.
  • Limiting the use of License Exceptions LVS and BAG. License Exception LVS which will no longer be available for the export of items controlled under ECCNs 0A501, 0A502, 0A504 (except 0A504.g), 0A505, 0A506, 0A507, 0A508, and 0A509 when they are destined for countries in Country Group B, Country Group D:5, or CARICOM nations.[2] License Exception BAG will no longer be available for exports destined for Country Group D:5 (except Zimbabwe) or CARICOM nations. Additionally, U.S. citizens will be limited to three firearms or shotguns on any trip when using License Exception BAG.
  • Implementing new license review policiesof denial for the license applications involving exports or reexports of firearms and related products classified under:
    • ECCNs 0A501, 0A502, 0A505, 0A506, 0A507, 0A508, or 0A509 that are destined for countries in Country Group D:5.
    • ECCNs 0A501, 0A502, 0A504, 0A505, 0A506, 0A507, 0A508, 0A509, 0B501, 0B505, 0D501, 0D505, 0E501, 0E504, or 0E505, or any 9×515 ECCNs destined for China or countries in Country Group E:1.
  • Limiting new licenses to a 12-month validity period for items controlled under ECCNs 0A501, 0A502, 0A504, 0A505, 0A506, 0A507, 0A508, and 0A509. Licenses for longer terms may still be issued by BIS under limited circumstances (e.g., intracompany transfer, government contracts).
  • Revoking or modifying certain existing licenses for the export or reexport of firearms and related items.
    • Effective July 1, BIS will revoke existing licenses for the export and reexport of firearms and related items to non-government end users in the high-risk destination identified in the new Supplement No. 3 to Part 742 of the EAR. The high-risk destinations include the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vietnam, and Yemen.
    • Effective May 30, BIS will modify the validity period of certain licenses to non-government end users to make the license invalid on May 30, 2025. These modifications will not affect licenses to non-government end users in Country Group A:1, Israel, Ukraine, or the high-risk destinations whose licenses will be revoked.
  • Implementing a presumption of denial for license applications involving exports and reexports to the high-risk destinations listed in Supplement No. 3 to Part 742.
  • Requiring Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings to meet the conventional arms reporting requirements, including item-level classification or other item-level descriptors.

BIS is also seeking public comment on the interim final rule. Comments must be received by July 1.

[1] In addition to the U.S., the OAS member countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba*, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

[2] CARICOM nations include Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago; associate members: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos, as well as any other state or associate member that has acceded to membership in accordance with Article 3 or Article 231 of the Treaty of Chaguaramas for members or associate members respectively.