On May 13, 2025, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced its intent to rescind the Biden administration’s Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion (AI Diffusion Rule) that is scheduled to go into effect on May 15. BIS will publish a Federal Register notice formalizing its decision. In the meantime, Under Secretary of Commerce for
U.S. tightens controls on advanced computing chips and global AI diffusion
On January 13, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released an interim final rule to revise U.S. export controls on advanced computing integrated circuits (ICs) and add a new control on artificial intelligence (AI) model weights for certain advanced, closed-weight, dual-use AI models. According to news reports, Biden administration officials have indicated that they
BIS further targets China’s ability to produce advanced semiconductors; China retaliates with its own export bans
On December 2, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced two companion rules to impede China’s ability to procure and produce advanced-node semiconductors that can be used in advanced weapons systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced computing.
In response, China announced that it will in principle ban exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard
BIS tightens controls on firearm and ammunition exports
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
New export controls extend reach of U.S. sanctions
To expand the reach of U.S. sanctions, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) on March 21 to require a license for the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) of all items “subject to the EAR” when a party to the transaction is blocked under one of 14 U.S. sanctions
New BIS best practice for preventing diversion to Russia: signed export control certificates
As a follow-on to last week’s quint-seal guidance, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published best practice guidance to help prevent high-priority items from being diverted to Russia. The latest guidance focuses on exports of the following high-priority items to counterparties in countries outside the Global Export Controls Coalition (GECC):[1]
| HS Code |
Incentivizing voluntary disclosures and whistleblowing: the latest from BIS
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has clarified two enforcement policies in an attempt to incentivize voluntary self-disclosures and disclosures about others’ possible violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
In our recent post, we consider the implications of this latest development.
U.S. Disruptive Technology Strike Force – how can companies prevent and respond to potential diversion?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Commerce announced the creation of a joint Disruptive Technology Strike Force on February 16, 2023. The strike force will be co-led by the assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s National Security Division and the assistant secretary for export enforcement at the Bureau of Industry and Security.
China’s access to semiconductors and high-performance chips restricted by BIS
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has implemented new, unilateral export controls to restrict China’s ability to manufacture advanced semiconductors, obtain high-performance chips, and develop and maintain supercomputers.
Continue Reading China’s access to semiconductors and high-performance chips restricted by BIS
BIS continues to strengthen enforcement measures through four policy changes
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) continues their campaign to increase corporate accountability and transparency measures and incentivize companies to invest in compliance programs by announcing four significant policy changes to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As our U.S. trade team outlines in their latest alert, these new policies, which