Export Controls Eased on Civil Drones

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued an interim final rule that, effective Jan. 20, 2026, eases export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and related technologies that previously needed a license to be exported to most countries. The State Department recently took similar action with respect to military drones.

BIS states that this rule allows less-sensitive UAVs—namely, commercial UAVs with a maximum endurance of less than one hour, for which there is broad foreign availability—to be exported to most Wassenaar Arrangement participating states (Country Group A:1) without a license. To effect this change the rule revises the reason for control for UAVs described under ECCN 9A012.a.1. All other items detailed under ECCN 9A012 will retain their national security column 1 reason for control.

The rule also allows more capable non-military UAVs—namely, certain long-range cargo delivery and agricultural spraying drones—to be exported to certain U.S. partners and allies (Country Group A:5) under license exception STA (strategic trade authorization). Exports pursuant to this exception are subject to notification and reporting requirements to ensure the security of the exports.