Federal Register #2026-16628

Final Rule Eases Export Controls on Certain Drones and Related Technologies

This final rule from the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) updates export controls for certain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) - Products and Technologies Affected: - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with endurance less than 3 hours (ECCN 9A012.a.1) - UAVs with endurance 3 hours or greater (ECCN 9A012.a.2) - Military UAVs not on the US Munitions List (ECCN 9A610.a) - Specially designed parts, components, accessories, and attachments for military UAVs (ECCN 9A610.y.33) - Software for development, production, or operation of UAVs (ECCNs 9D001, 9D002, 9D004) - Technology for development of UAV equipment or software (ECCN 9E001) - Key Regulatory Changes: - Raises the endurance threshold for national security controls from 30 minutes to 3 hours - Removes wind gust tolerance as a control parameter - Expands License Exception STA eligibility for certain UAVs - Clarifies controls for military UAVs and related parts - Removes national security controls on software and technology for UAVs with less than 3 hours endurance - Maintains military end-use and end-user controls for lower endurance UAVs and associated software/technology - Removes national security controls on certain parts and accessories that do not provide significant military or intelligence capabilities - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the rule - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory change impacting export licensing and control requirements

Description

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is easing export controls on certain Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) and related parts, components, accessories, attachments, technology, and software under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This rule eliminates wind gust tolerance as a parameter for UAV controls, increases the endurance threshold for national security controls from 30 minutes to 3 hours, removes national security controls on software and technology for UAVs with endurance less than 3 hours, maintains military end-use and end-user controls on lower endurance drones, clarifies Commerce Control List controls for military UAVs, and removes national security controls on certain parts that do not provide significant military or intelligence capabilities. The rule is effective August 13, 2026.

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