The Bureau of Industry and Security published two distinct trade-control changes on January 19, 2017. For India, it adopted a general policy of approving specified license applications. For Hong Kong, it prescribed supporting documents for certain shipments, with effectiveness scheduled for April 19. Neither mechanism can substitute for the other. [2017-00439][2017-00446]

The India policy applies to items controlled only for National Security or Regional Stability reasons, including 600-series items. The listed routes include civil or military end uses in India, ultimate use by India's government, reexport to Country Group A:5 and return to the United States. Items for nuclear, missile or chemical or biological weapons activities remain outside that policy. General approval is not automatic approval or a license exemption. [2017-00439][2017-00446]

Hong Kong's requirement concerns shipments using a BIS license or license exception and controlled for National Security, Missile Technology, Nuclear Nonproliferation column 1, or Chemical and Biological Weapons reasons. For entry into Hong Kong, the exporter or reexporter must hold a covering import-license copy valid at shipment, or a Hong Kong government statement that no such license is required. [2017-00439][2017-00446]

Reexports from Hong Kong have a corresponding export-document condition: a covering Hong Kong export license valid at reexport or a government no-license statement. Public statements may be reused while accurate. The India rule was effective January 19; the Hong Kong start remained future at this coverage date. These same-agency records describe legal mechanisms, not measured changes in trade volumes. [2017-00439][2017-00446]

Source documents

  1. Amendments to the Export Administration Regulations Implementing an Additional Phase of India-U.S. Export Control Cooperationhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/html/2017-00439.htm
  2. Support Document Requirements With Respect to Hong Konghttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/html/2017-00446.htm