§ 126.9 Exemptions for certain activities involving defense articles.

(a)-(t) [Reserved]

Exemption for certain large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) activitiesActivities exempted.(u) —(1) No license or other approval is required for the following activities, subject to the restrictions in paragraph (u)(2) of this section:

(i) The temporary export, reexport, or temporary import of vessels described in USML Category XX(a)(10);

(ii) The furnishing of assistance to a foreign person in the maintenance, repair, operation, or use of a defense article described in USML Category XX(a)(10); or

(iii) Brokering activities to facilitate:

(A) The temporary export, reexport, or permanent import of vessels described in USML Category XX(a)(10); or

(B) The furnishing of assistance to a foreign person in the maintenance, repair, operation, or use of a defense article described in USML Category XX(a)(10).

Restrictions.(2) The exemption set forth in this paragraph (u) is subject to all of the following restrictions:

(i) The vessel must not be described in any USML paragraph other than Category XX(a)(10);

(ii) The vessel must not have a gross weight rating (as defined in § 121.0 of this subchapter) exceeding eight thousand pounds (8,000 lb);

(iii) The purpose of the activity must be limited to one or more of the following:

(A) Scientific research or natural resource exploration;

(B) Commercial or civil infrastructure maintenance, installation, or repair; or

(C) Search and rescue operations; and

(iv) The activity must not transfer registration, control, or ownership of the vessel to a foreign person.

[90 FR 41788, Aug. 27, 2025]