On September 30, 2025, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a Final Rule in which it announced that it was rescinding in its entirety an earlier Interim Final Rule issued during President Joseph Biden’s Administration that imposed new export license requirements for firearms and related ammunition and components. The Final
Status of Trade-Related Agency Operations During Government Shutdown
As of October 1, 2025, federal funding lapsed for numerous U.S. government agencies, including those engaged in sanctions, export control, and customs compliance and enforcement. Due to the lack of funding, export licensing functions have been significantly curtailed. Below is an overview of the status of key operations at OFAC, DDTC, BIS, and CBP.
Department
…BIS Expands Entity List End-User Controls to Cover Affiliates of Listed Entities
On September 30, 2025, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an Interim Final Rule that expands the export control restrictions of its Entity List to cover any affiliates that are at least 50% owned by one (or more) entities on the Entity List or the Military End-User (MEU) List. Previously…
President Trump Issues Proclamation Adjusting Tariffs on Imports of Timber, Lumber and their Derivative Products
On September 29, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation announcing that the Department of Commerce had concluded its investigation into the effects of imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (collectively, wood products) pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and found certain wood products are being imported into…
Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Personal Protective Equipment, Medical Consumables, and Medical Equipment
On September 2, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment including devices. Interested parties may submit written comments, data, analyses, or…
Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Robotics and Industrial Machinery
On September 2, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of robotics and industrial machinery. According to the notice, the term “robotics and industrial machinery” for this investigation includes, among other things…
New Process Announced for Adding Automobile Parts to Section 232 Tariffs
In Proclamation 10908, “Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into The United States,” on March 26, 2025, President Trump ordered the Secretary of Commerce to create a process for including additional automobile parts for passenger vehicles and light trucks to Section 232 tariffs on imports. A new interim final rule published on September 17…
BIS Now Accepting Requests to Add Products to Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
On September 17, 2025, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Federal Register notice that it will again accept requests for new derivative products to be subject to Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum articles. The request window is open from September 15 through September 29, 2025. Requests must provide detailed information…
Department of Commerce Relaxes Export Controls for Syria
On September 2, 2025, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register easing licensing requirements for civilian exports to Syria. The rule implements the policy on Syria established in Executive Order 14312, “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions” (June 30, 2025) that called for…
Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Wind Turbines and Seeks Public Comments
On August 13, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of wind turbines and their parts and components. Interested parties may submit written comments, data, analyses, or other information to the…
