Following President Trump’s June executive order revoking the comprehensive U.S. sanctions on Syria, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is relaxing the existing restrictions on exports and reexports to Syria under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

The final rule, which is effective September 2, makes the following amendments to the EAR:

  • New License Exception Syria Peace and Prosperity (SPP), which, subject to certain conditions, authorizes exports and reexports to Syria of all items designated EAR99. License Exception SSP does not authorize exports or reexports prohibited under the end-use and end-user controls in Part 744 of the EAR.
  • Expansion of License Exception Consumer Communications Devices (CCD) to include Syria in the destination scope.
  • Revision to and expansion of License Exception Aircraft, Vessels and Spacecraft (AVS) to permit certain equipment and spare parts for permanent use on a vessel or aircraft, and ship and plane stores designated as EAR99 or controlled on the Commerce Control List (CCL) for only anti-terrorism reasons to be sent to Syria. The rule also expands License Exception AVS eligibility to include exports of U.S.-registered civil aircraft and vessels and temporary reexports of U.S. and foreign-registered civil aircraft and vessels to Syria on temporary sojourn. The license exception does not authorize transactions that support the Syrian police, military, or intelligence end users and end uses.
  • Expansion of the scope of License Exception Temporary Imports, Exports, Reexports, and Transfers (in-country) (TMP) for Syria-destined items by adding (1) certain technology; (2) shipping containers; (3) exports to a U.S. person’s foreign subsidiary, affiliate, or facility abroad; and (4) certain personal protective equipment.
  • Expansion of License Exception Technology and Software—unrestricted’s (TSU) eligibility for Syria to include copies of technology previously authorized for export to the same recipient.
  • Addition of License Exception Servicing and Replacement of Parts and Equipment (RPL) for exports and reexports to Syria except those destined to the Syrian police, military, or intelligence end users or end uses.
  • Expansion of License Exception Governments, International Organizations, International Inspections under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the International Space Station (GOV) to enable operations of certain cooperating governments and inspections under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
  • Updated licensing review policy, including (1) a presumption of approval for a broad range of commercial end uses to support economic and business development in Syria and to support the Syrian people and (2) a case-by-case licensing policy for other end uses.

The rule also makes other conforming changes.