Upcoming BIS Rule Could Ease Export Controls for UK, Australia

The Bureau of Industry and Security is drafting a rule that could ease certain export restrictions on Australia and the U.K. as the State Department works to loosen similar restrictions under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations as part of the AUKUS partnership.

BIS sent the interim final rule for interagency review April 4, according to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The rule description doesn’t outline what specific changes it will make, but it’s titled: “Export Control Revisions for Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) Enhanced Trilateral Security Partnership.”

At its annual conference last month, BIS said it is looking for ways to help with the AUKUS effort as the State Department looks to lower licensing burdens around defense trade with Australia and the U.K. (see 2403290032 and 2402150046). Thea Kendler, the BIS assistant secretary for export administration, said the agency is “working on incorporating the premise of AUKUS into dual-use export controls.”