BIS China Export Controls Guidance - Bureau of Industry and Security
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This is the BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security) China guidance page, relevant to AI safety governance as it covers US export controls on advanced computing chips, semiconductors, and AI-related technologies to China, directly shaping the compute governance landscape for frontier AI development.
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Summary
This is the official US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) homepage for China-related export control guidance, covering regulations on advanced computing integrated circuits, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and other dual-use technologies. It includes updates on IC designer authorization timelines, Section 232 national security investigations covering semiconductors and AI-relevant hardware, and recent enforcement actions. These controls are central to US policy limiting China's access to advanced AI compute.
Key Points
- •BIS extended the timeline for authorized IC designers to December 31, 2026, affecting companies seeking to overcome license requirements for advanced computing chips.
- •Section 232 investigations are underway for semiconductors, robotics, unmanned aircraft systems, and other AI-relevant technologies.
- •Recent enforcement actions include a $252M penalty against Applied Materials for illegally exporting semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- •Export controls on advanced computing ICs to China are a primary US policy tool for limiting frontier AI development capabilities abroad.
- •The page serves as the central reference for US export control policy toward China, including country-specific licensing requirements.
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Special Issues
BIS Extends Timeline for Authorized IC Designers
On January 16, 2025, BIS published a rule titled "Implementation of Additional Due Diligence Measures for Advanced Computing Integrated Circuits; Amendments and Clarifications; and Extension of Comment Period", which included a timeline during which certain companies are considered authorized integrated circuit (IC) designers who can overcome a presumption of certain license requirements. On April 7, 2026, BIS extended this timeline until December 31, 2026. This extension will allow more time for companies to submit Approved IC Designer applications and allow BIS additional time to process these applications.
The text of the rule can be viewed here .
Cuba Export Controls SCP Updates
BIS has issued two updates affecting License Exception Support for the Cuban People (SCP) under § 740.21. Effective March 4, 2026, BIS suspended SCP availability under § 740.21(b)(1) for any transaction involving the deposit of foreign funds into a Cuban‑owned bank, citing unacceptable risk of benefiting the Cuban government or its military and intelligence services. This suspension does not apply to transactions routed through third‑country financial institutions or to shipments already en route by March 4, 2026 if completed by April 3, 2026. BIS also updated guidance on SCP availability for transactions involving U.S.-origin gas and petroleum products to eligible Cuban private sector entities or individual consumers; qualifying transactions may proceed without a license.
SCP Gas/Petroleum/Banks FAQ
Cuba Export Control Guidance
Section 232 Investigations
The Secretary of Commerce initiated investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine the effects on the national security of imports of the following:
Copper
Timber and Lumber
Semiconductors
Pharmaceuticals
Trucks
Critical Minerals
Commercial Aircraft
Polysilicon
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Wind Turbines
Medical Products
Robotics and Industrial Machinery
The posted Section 232 Inclusion Requests and their requested HTSUS Classifications can be found on Docket BIS-2025-0023 on Regulations.gov.
Section 232 Investigations Homepage
Section 232 Inclusions Processes
Read the latest News & Updates
BIS Reaches Administrative Enforcement Settlement with Coastal PVA Technology, Inc.
April 14, 2026
BIS Reaches Administrative Enforcement Settlement with Solventum Corporation Order
March 27, 2026
BIS Reaches Administrative Enforcement Settlement with Teledyne FLIR LLC and its affiliates, FLIR Optoelectronic Technology (Shangha
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