BIS eases US export controls on drones

17 August 2026

The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has eased export controls on drones and related parts, software and technology under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The final rule took effect on 13 August 2026. The rule finalises the interim final rule published in January 2026 & follows EO 14307, which expands the US drone export policy.

The rule raises the endurance threshold for national security controls under ECCN 9A012.a to 3 hours. It also removes wind gust tolerance as a control parameter. Drones with an endurance of less than 3 hours now fall under ECCN 9A012.a.1 and are controlled for anti-terrorism reasons only. Exporters can send them to most destinations without a licence.

BIS made matching changes to the software and technology entries at ECCNs 9D001, 9D002, 9D004 and 9E001. Much civilian drone software, including operating software updates, can now be exported no licence required to most destinations.

Some controls stay in place. Drones remain controlled for national security reasons if they carry certain thermal imaging equipment, lasers or gyroscopes, whatever their endurance. Missile technology controls still apply to drones with a range of 300 km or more. BIS also added the affected ECCNs to supplement no. 2 to part 744, so military end-use and end-user controls continue to apply.

The rule says that drones specially designed for military use, but not listed on the US Munitions List, fall under ECCN 9A610.a. A new paragraph 9A610.y.33 covers less sensitive parts such as brackets, chargers, mounts and propellers.