License Requirements for Computers in United States

Modified: Relaxation of License Requirements for Computers in the History of U.S. Economic Sanctions Imposed against China

Note: the status of this economic sanction is: Phasing out (see March 25, 1996)

Date of the sanction(s): JANUARY 22, 1996

On October 6, 1995, President Clinton announced a liberalization of export controls on most computers. For China, the former Soviet Union, and certain other countries, export controls would focus on computers intended for military and proliferation enduse, but would otherwise ease controls on exports for computers to civilian end-use. On January 22, 1996, the Department of Commerce issued interim Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The new EAR removed the term “supercomputer” from regulations, streamlined the licensing process, and attempted to anticipate the technological developments in computers for the next two years. Under the new EAR, a new 4-tier system of licensing is established. China, Vietnam, Pakistan, countries of Middle East, Maghreb, the former Soviet Union, and several Eastern European countries are in Tier 3. Exports to Tier 3 countries are authorized under General License G-DEST for computers less than or equal to 2,000 MTOPS. Exports of computers greater than 2,000 but less than 7,000 MTOPS are authorized under General License G-CTP. Where concerns arise if end-use is military, nuclear, chemical, biological or missile related, licenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Some Observations

Hong Kong and Taiwan, in Tier 2, are eligible for computers of less than 10,000 MTOPS without a validated license.

Sanctions by Authority:

15 CFR Parts 770-776, 785, 787, 799 (61 F.R. 2099)

Occasion(s) Detailed

See May 27, 1991, for original sanction

Note: Based on the China: U.S. Economic Sanctions Report.

Resources

See Also