Commerce Department Says ICTS Licensing Won't Be Ready by May, Seeks Input

The Commerce Department is asking for input on how it should structure its Internet and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) preclearance or licensing process (see 2102190033), and is acknowledging that it will not be able to have a licensing regime in place by May 19, as predicted by the previous administration. The rules Comments are due by April 28.

The Federal Register notice also said: “While the Department understands that business decisions must often be made within tight timeframes, the Department may not be able to determine whether a particular ICTS transaction qualifies for a license or pre-clearance without detailed information and analysis. Considering this tension, should the Department issue decisions on a shorter timeframe if that could result in fewer licenses or pre-clearances being granted, or would the inconvenience of a longer timeframe for review be outweighed by the potential for a greater number of licenses or pre-clearances being issued?”