The Commerce Department extended the public comment period for feedback on future temporary general license extensions under the Export Administration Regulations (see 2003100070), the agency said in a notice. The comments, which were originally due March 25, are now due April 22. The comments will determine the “continuing need” and the scope for future extensions for the temporary general license for Huawei, Commerce said in a March 25 press release.

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued a reminder that its interim final rule that revised the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to provide definitions for activities that are not exports, re-exports, retransfers or temporary imports took effect March 25 (see 1912230052), the agency said in a notice. DDTC also reissued a guidance for the rule (see 2002210019), which makes significant changes to encrypted data controls (see 1912300024 and 2002280050).

All license and agreement request transfers will be sent once a day, effective March 23, according to a notice from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. The transfers will occur at 6 a.m. daily EDT, the notice said, but that is subject to change depending on the number of submissions or “technical concerns.” The DDTC said it will inform users of any “significant delays.” The agency added that licenses or agreements to be sent to CBP will be transferred at 9 a.m. daily. Questions should be directed to the DDTC Help Desk.

The Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security is operating normally and will continue to process export license applications amid the global response to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, a BIS spokesperson said. “Operations are not impacted,” the spokesperson said. In notices to industry, the Census Bureau said it will continue responding to industry but requested electronic submissions for disclosures (see 2003180029), while the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said some licensing processing may face delays (see 2003190017).

The Commerce Department is postponing its Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (EDGE) Business Development Mission, from March to September, due to the measures taken to curb the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said in a notice in the March 20 Federal Register. The mission, originally scheduled for March 16-24 and now set for Sept. 14-22, will feature stops in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand in a bid to increase U.S. energy diversification and trade in Asia. Commerce will accept applications for the mission through June 30; it plans to choose 20 firms and trade associations.

Industry should expect delays in licensing processing and commodity jurisdiction requests due to reduced staffing amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said March 19. The DDTC is also urging industry to submit disclosures through email to DTCC-CaseStatus@state.gov. All “email material” should be submitted on company letterhead in a PDF format. DDTC is not requiring duplicate hard copies but will accept physical mail if a disclosure cannot be submitted through email.

Applications to become a panelist on a state-to-state dispute settlement panel for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or on a specialized labor panel, will be due by April 20, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in a notice.

The Commerce Department is seeking comments on an information collection relating to voluntary self-disclosures of violations of the Export Administration Regulations, according to a notice in the March 19 Federal Register. Commerce is preparing to submit the collection to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Comments are due no later than April 20.

The Commerce Department is seeking comments on an information collection related to voluntary self-disclosures of antiboycott violations, according to a notice in the March 19 Federal Register. Commerce is preparing to submit the collection to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Comments are due April 20.

The Census Bureau is asking that all data requests and voluntary self-disclosures be submitted electronically in password-protected files, Census said in a March 18 emailed notice to industry. Census said it will continue responding to calls and emails from industry as “many” of its officials telework due to the coronavirus pandemic response, but said disclosures should be sent to the Trade Regulations Branch at emd.askregs@census.gov and data requests should be sent to the Data User & Trade Outreach Branch at gtmd.outreach@census.gov. They can also be faxed to (301) 763-8835. Census will have “limited access” to physical mail during this time.