A new final rule was published on September 2, 2025, making changes to U.S. export controls on Syria. The information below summarizes export controls that apply to Syria, including changes made by this new rule. For detailed information on the rule or on export controls on Syria, please see the applicable Federal Register publication for the rule and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), in particular, Section 746.9.

These changes will allow greater trade with Syria, while ensuring accountability for those who have supported malign and destabilizing actions, including by supporting the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. This rule provides no relief to terrorist organizations, those linked to chemical weapons or proliferation-related activities, or other persons that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the United States, Syria, and its neighbors. BIS will continue to be vigilant against bad actors worldwide, and will prevent them from accessing U.S. goods, software, and technology through careful licensing reviews and strict enforcement.

License requirements

As of September 2, 2025, exports or reexports of EAR99 items to Syria are authorized by License Exception Syria Peace and Prosperity (SPP), provided that the transactions do not otherwise require a license based on the end-use or end-user, including Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals, pursuant to part 744 of the EAR.  A license is required to export or reexport to Syria all items specified on the Commerce Control List (CCL) that do not qualify for license exceptions identified in Section 746.9 of the EAR. For the CCL, see 15 CFR Supp. No. 1 to part 774.

License exceptions

A license exception is a general authorization to export or reexport items without a license under specified terms and conditions. Only the license exceptions, or portions thereof, listed in Section 746.9(b) of the EAR are available for Syria. You may export or reexport items to Syria without an individually validated license if your transaction meets all the applicable terms and conditions of the available license exceptions. To determine the scope and eligibility requirements, you must review the sections (and applicable paragraphs within those sections) in part 740 (License Exceptions) of the EAR.  As a general matter, you should also be aware of restrictions that apply to all license exceptions (see Section 740.2 of the EAR).

Exporters are advised that the Syria Final Rule added, expanded, or modified the availability of license exceptions for exports and reexports to Syria. As a result of these regulatory changes, and as set forth in Section 746.9(b), eight license exceptions are now available in whole or in part for exports or reexports to Syria. Exporters should review Section 746.9 of the EAR and the revised license exceptions in part 740 to determine eligibility. The relevant license exceptions are listed below:

1. License Exception Syria Peace and Prosperity (SPP) - § 740.5 of the EAR (covering most transactions involving EAR99 items)
2. License Exception Temporary Imports, Exports, Reexports, and Transfers (in-country) (TMP) - § 740.9 of the EAR (including expanded eligibility for certain types of temporary exports or reexports)
3. License Exception Servicing and Replacement of Parts and Equipment (RPL) - § 740.10 of the EAR
4. License Exception Governments, international organizations, international inspections under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the International Space Station (GOV) - § 740.11 of the EAR (including expanded eligibility for certain cooperating governments and Chemical Weapons Convention inspections)
5. License Exception Technology and Software – Unrestricted (TSU) - § 740.13 of the EAR (including expanded eligibility for previously authorized technology)
6. License Exception Baggage (BAG) - § 740.14 of the EAR (including expanded eligibility)
7. License Exception Aircraft, Vessels, and Spacecraft (AVS) - § 740.15 of the EAR (including expanded eligibility for aircraft parts, certain temporary sojourns, and vessel related exports)
8. License Exception Consumer Communication Devices (CCD) - § 740.19 of the EAR

Licensing policy

BIS’s Syria licensing policy is set forth in Section 746.9(c). Consistent with Executive Order 14312 (Providing for Revocation of Syria Sanctions) of June 30, 2025, BIS will review license applications under a presumption of approval for exports and reexports of items on the CCL to Syria for commercial end uses that support economic and business development in Syria or that support the Syrian people, including through the improvement or maintenance of telecommunications, water supply and sanitation, power generation, aviation, or other civil services that support peace and prosperity in Syria without making a significant contribution to the military potential of Syria or the ability of Syria to support acts of international terrorism.

License applications for the export or reexport of items that do not meet the above conditions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis (as well as any other specific licensing policies associated with a specific CCL item as set forth in Part 742 of the EAR) to determine whether the items will be used in a manner consistent with U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, including to promote peace and prosperity in Syria.
 

Other U.S. Government agencies

Please be aware that other U.S. Government agencies administer regulations that could also impact your export or reexport transaction. For example, the Department of the Treasury’s OFAC maintains certain Syria-related sanctions that apply to the activities of U.S. persons, wherever located – exporters can find OFAC’s Syria FAQ sheet here. Exporters and reexporters are responsible for complying with all applicable U.S. Government regulatory requirements.

Questions

For questions specific to Syria, contact the Human Rights and Embargoes Division at 202-482-4252, [email protected]