04/02/2026
U.S. Removes Cambodia from Arms Export “Blacklist”
Washington, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), issued a final rule on February 3, 2026, officially removing Cambodia from “Country Group D:5”—a classification that restricts arms exports to certain nations.
According to the Federal Register, this decision aligns with the U.S. Secretary of State’s assessment that Cambodia has actively pursued peace and security, continued defense cooperation with the United States, and taken steps to combat cross-border crime. The move also harmonizes regulatory measures after the White House lifted the ban on arms sales to Cambodia in October 2025.
Casey Barnett, President of AmCham Cambodia, attended the event and described the removal of the arms ban as a significant symbol of U.S. confidence in Cambodia and its ongoing cooperation on military matters. Barnett highlighted that the change opens the door for Cambodia to acquire advanced U.S. technologies. “Today, I am in Singapore meeting with U.S. aviation and defense companies to encourage the sale of their high-quality products to support Cambodia’s security and economic development,” he said.
Under the new rule, the “X” designation next to Cambodia’s name in Group D:5 has been removed, effectively ending U.S. arms-related restrictions from February 3, 2026. The change is expected to simplify export procedures, potentially increasing license applications for shipments to Cambodia by around 100 per year.
However, for national security reasons, Cambodia remains in “Country Group D:1,” which still requires licensing controls for items related to military and defense technologies under EAR Sections 744.21 and 744.22. Observers view the update as a major step toward broader economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, particularly in technology and civil aviation sectors.
Reported by The Khmer Today Team
