Commerce, Treasury Ease US Telecom Export Restrictions to Sudan

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security will now consider approval for U.S. telecommunications exports to Sudan on a case-by-case basis, rather than keeping in place the agency’s previous policy of denial for such exports (here). BIS will also expand the Consumer Communications Devices license exception for U.S. telecommunications exports to the Sudanese private sector, BIS said in a final rule. The CCD license exception, authorized in 2009 but restricted to exports to Cuba (here), will cover shipments to Sudan beginning Feb. 18. Most of the items covered under the CCD don’t require licenses for export to most countries, said BIS in the final rule. The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a concurrent final rule amending the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (here).