BIS Issues Long-Awaited Changes to Export Controls on Firearms

The Bureau Industry and Security on May 30 will begin revoking some export licenses for firearms, and shortening the lengths of others, in line with changes to export controls for firearms made in an interim final rule released April 26.

Scheduled for publication in the April 30 Federal Register, the interim final rule reduces the validity period for most export licenses for firearms from four years to one. It also adopts a license policy of denial for nongovernment end users in 36 “high-risk” destinations for firearms controlled under the Crime Control 2 reason for control, which will now apply to most firearms. Both changes will apply to existing licenses, and BIS will modify and revoke licenses to implement them.

BIS is also adding new ECCNs for semi-automatic firearms, and setting new documentation requirements. The interim final rule will require license applicants to submit import certificates for all countries where one is required by the importing government, as well as a purchase order for all license applications to non-Country Group A:1 destinations.