Bureau of Industry and Security
US Commerce division controlling export licences; targeted in February 2026 congressional push to revoke Cuba business permits.
Last refreshed: 15 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What licences does the Bureau of Industry and Security hold for Cuba, and could they all be revoked?
Timeline for Bureau of Industry and Security
Received joint letter alongside OFAC demanding Cuba licence review
Cuba Dispatch: Florida Republicans push for Cuba licence purge- What is the Bureau of Industry and Security and what does it do in Cuba?
- BIS is the US Commerce division that issues export licences under the Export Administration Regulations. For Cuba, it controls which US goods and technologies can be legally exported under humanitarian or other carve-outs.
- Why did Florida Republicans write to BIS about Cuba licences in 2026?
- Representatives Giménez, Díaz-Balart, and Salazar wrote to BIS and OFAC in February 2026 demanding a review and revocation of all active licences authorising US business with Cuban state entities.Source: Congressional letter
Background
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is a division of the US Department of Commerce responsible for export controls and the enforcement of dual-use technology regulations. In the Cuba context, BIS administers licences under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that govern the sale of US goods and technology to Cuba. On 11 February 2026 Florida Republicans Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, and María Elvira Salazar wrote jointly to OFAC and BIS demanding a comprehensive review and revocation of every active licence authorising US business with Cuban state-controlled entities.
BIS and OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control at Treasury) together form the twin enforcement pillars of US Cuba sanctions. While OFAC manages financial sanctions and asset freezes, BIS controls the physical goods and technology export side, including telecommunications equipment, agricultural products sold under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA), and other licensed categories. A BIS licence purge, if actioned, would close the commercial channels for categories currently permitted under humanitarian carve-outs.
BIS's role has grown in significance with EO 14380 since the secondary tariff mechanism affects supply chains that feed into licensed commodity exports. Companies holding BIS Cuba licences face legal uncertainty if their supply chains touch third-country intermediaries affected by EO 14380's secondary pressure regime.