On January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR), titled “Streamlining Export Controls for Drone Exports” (91 FR 2467). The IFR is effective January 20, 2026.
This IFR implements aspects of Executive Order 14307, issued by the President on June 6, 2025, titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” (90 FR 24727). The Executive Order states the United States must accelerate the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System. The time has come to expand the export of trusted, American-manufactured drone technology to global markets.
BIS published this IFR to achieve the President’s objectives of facilitating the export, reexport and transfer (in-country) of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies that do not pose a risk to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
What has changed?
The IFR implements two regulatory changes:
1.) Revises the reason for control for UAVs described under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A012.a.1.This IFR will change the reason for control to National Security Column 2 (NS2) for items (UAVs) controlled under ECCN 9A012.a.1. Thus, certain UAVs will now be eligible for export and reexport to destinations in Country Group A:1 (Supplement No. 1 to Part 740 of the EAR) without a license.
2.) Expands License Exception STA in newly added § 740.20(c)(1)(ii), allowing the export of certain UAVs described in ECCN 9A012 and 9A120.
The newly added § 740.20(c)(1)(ii) to License Exception STA permits the export, reexport, and transfers (in-country) of UAVs and unmanned “airships” controlled for missile technology (MT) reasons in ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120 to destinations in Country Group A:5 (Supplement No. 1 to Part 740 of the EAR), provided the UAV cannot deliver a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km.
Conclusion:
Certain UAVs described in ECCN 9A012.a.1 are now controlled for NS2 reasons and may be exported, reexported, or transferred (in-country) to Country Group A:1 destinations.
All other items controlled under 9A012 remain controlled for National Security Column 1 (NS1) reasons and will still be subject to license requirements for most destinations.
License Exception STA has been expanded to address specific MT controls in ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120. This is limited to export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) to Country Group A:5 destinations only, and the UAV must not be capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km. MT controls still apply to all UAVs that are capable of delivering at least a 500 kg payload to a range of at least 300 km.
Caution, while this IFR described the streamlining of export controls for commodities and technology, there have been no identified changes to the technology sections (9ENNN) in the Commerce Control List (CCL) that identify and control certain “development”, “production” and “use” technology for commodities in ECCN 9A012 and 9A120. These ECCNs still have NS1 controls; thus, you may still have an obligation to seek a license if you need to export controlled technology.
Recommended Next Steps
Companies exporting UAVs should consider the following actions:
- Confirm classification – including whether the UAV is properly classified under ECCN 9A012.a.1 or another ECCN.
- Confirm technology classification – this may still require an export license
- Review destination eligibility – Country Group A:1 and A:5 respective requirements
- Evaluate STA eligibility for MT-controlled UAVs under ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120
- Update export compliance procedures and internal decision trees to reflect the NS2 and license exception STA changes
- Document export determinations – including technical performance data relevant to the 500 kg payload / 300 km threshold
