BIS Rule Aims to Facilitate Communications Export to Crimea

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security issued a final rule, effective May 22, to pave the way for unlicensed Internet-based communications exports to the Crimean region of Ukraine (here). The rule, which amends the Export Administration Regulations, permits exports and reexports of “software that is necessary to enable the exchange of personal communications over the Internet,” BIS said. More Crimean access to communication products and services advance U.S. national interests, said the agency. BIS banned most trade with Crimea in a late January regulatory change, but the agency still allows for the export of food and medicine (see 1501290019). Russia absorbed Ukraine in early 2014, despite protests from the U.S. and European countries.