Export Control: ITAR, EAR and Europe's ITAR-Free Drive
How do export rules shape who can buy which parts, and are they easing?
Chapter summary
US export controls decide much of the global space supply chain.
Key takeaways
- 1
Satellites and many parts once sat on the US Munitions List under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); reforms since 2014 moved most commercial satellites and parts to the Commerce Department's Export Administration Regulations (EAR), under the "9x515" and "600 series" categories.
- 2
In October 2024 the US published a package of rules that removed controls on certain spacecraft exports to Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom and proposed further changes, including a licence exception for satellite exports to approved destinations, which was still not final in April 2026.
- 3
A further State Department proposal of 1 October 2026 would move more items off the Munitions List.
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