The Bureau of Industry and Security announced Feb. 17 that it is expediting the processing of export license applications for items needed to aid survivors of a recent earthquake that heavily impacted Türkiye (previously known as Turkey) and Syria.
BIS notes that most items needed to aid the Turkish people do not require an export license because Türkiye is a member of all four multilateral export control regimes and a NATO ally. However, BIS will expedite any necessary license applications it receives.
Syria, on the other hand, is subject to comprehensive export controls as part of a broad U.S. government sanctions program. As a result, all items (except for most food and medicine) require a license for export and reexport to Syria. However, BIS states that these export and reexport license requirements should not prevent or otherwise impede the shipment of aid and recovery-related items intended directly for the Syrian people or through nongovernmental humanitarian organizations in-country, including in areas under the control of the Assad regime and non-state actors.
According to BIS, examples of items eligible for expedited licensing include heavy equipment, telecommunications hardware and software, portable generators and other power generation equipment, medical devices, water purification and sanitation equipment, and shelter materials.
For more information on exports to these countries, please contact attorney Kristine Pirnia at (202) 730-4964 or via email.
Copyright © 2025 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.