A bill introduced in the Senate last week could create new export authorizations -- including a new open general license for certain defense exports and a new license exception for dual-use goods -- to expedite shipments to Australia, Canada and the U.K. The legislation, introduced by Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., also would allow the State Department to hire more export license review officers, create a “fast-track” foreign military sales process, reduce barriers to information sharing within the Australia-U.K.-U.S. partnership and more.
The Census Bureau this week previewed its new response code to prepare Automated Export System users ahead of a potential electronic export filing requirement for certain U.S. Munitions List items.
The Census Bureau this week proposed that exporters submit a new data element in the Automated Export System when shipping items classified under U.S. Munitions List Category XXI. Census said the proposed change, previewed by an agency official last month (see 2304260047), could help the Commerce Department “collect additional data” on Category XXI exports, which includes articles, technical data and defense services “not otherwise enumerated” under other USML categories.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls initiated more end-use checks in FY 2022 compared with FY 2021 and saw an increase in in-person site visits due to loosened COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. In its annual Blue Lantern report released this week -- which details the agency’s end-use monitoring efforts on export-controlled defense articles and services -- the agency said it began checks on 305 export authorizations or authorization requests, an uptick from the 281 checks it began in 2021 (see 2204180030).
NEW OREANS -- The Census Bureau and the State Department are working on a change that would require exporters to submit additional information in the Automated Export System when shipping items controlled under U.S. Munitions List Category XXI, said Omari Wooden, Census’ assistant division chief for trade outreach and regulations. Wooden said the change will be outlined in a proposed rule and could eventually lead to a fatal error in AES if not followed.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls plans to remove export controls from certain high-energy storage capacitors with a voltage rating of 125 volts or less, saying the capacitors are widely commercially available and no longer provide military or intelligence advantages. The change, outlined in an interim final rule released April 26 and effective May 21, builds on the agency’s decision last year to temporarily suspend export license requirements for the capacitors (see 2211230030 and 2212060007). Comments on the rule are due May 30.
Users of the State Department’s Defense Export Controls and Compliance System are now limited to five attempts when responding to password recovery questions within the application, the agency said this week. “After the fifth attempt, the account will be locked,” the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said. Users who are unable to access their DECCS account for this reason should contact the DDTC information technology help desk at ddtccustomerservice@state.gov.
House lawmakers are working on legislation they say could lift some of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations’ burdensome technology sharing restrictions, including controls limiting trade with the U.S.’ closest allies. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Tex., said the bill could create an ITAR exemption for technology transfers under the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) partnership, among other changes.
The State Department completed a round of interagency review for an interim final rule that would seek public comments on revisions to the U.S. Munitions List. The rule, sent for review Feb. 2 (see 2302030013) and completed April 17, would request feedback “regarding the technology frontier,” which could help the agency identify specific technology capabilities that have “sufficiently evolved” to consider amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The rule could add, revise or exclude certain items from the ITAR.
DOJ this week announced a $365,000 settlement with General Motors over claims that the car maker -- in an attempt to comply with U.S. export control laws -- discriminated against non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The agency also released a fact sheet to help employers avoid citizenship status discrimination when seeking to comply with export control laws.