On February 17, the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) in the US Commerce Department announced that it is expediting the processing of export license applications for items needed to aid survivors of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria through NGOs. While most items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) do not require licenses for export to Türkiye, Syria is subject to comprehensive US export controls and, as such, items subject to the EAR other than EAR99 food or medicine require licenses for Syria. BIS provided the following examples of items eligible for expedited licensing: heavy equipment, telecommunications hardware and software, portable generators and other power generation equipment, medical devices, water purification and sanitation equipment and shelter materials.
