# 15 CFR § 971.209: Processing outside the United States

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.209

## Section

- **Citation:** 15 CFR § 971.209
- **Heading:** Processing outside the United States
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 15—Commerce and Foreign Trade > Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade > CHAPTER IX—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE > SUBCHAPTER D—GENERAL REGULATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DATA SERVICE > PART 971—DEEP SEABED MINING REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL RECOVERY PERMITS > Subpart B—Applications > Contents

## Text

(a) Except as provided in this section and § 971.408, the processing of hard minerals recovered pursuant to a permit shall be conducted within the U.S., provided that the President or his designee does not determine that this restriction contravenes the overriding national interests of the United States.
(b) If foreign processing is proposed, the applicant shall submit a justification demonstrating the basis for a finding pursuant to § 971.408(a)(1). The justification shall include an analysis of each factor which the applicant considers essential to its conclusion that processing at a site within the U.S. is not economically viable.
(c) If the Administrator determines that the justification provided by the applicant is insufficient, or if the Administrator receives during the public comment or hearing period what the Administrator determines to be a serious alternative U.S. processing site proposal, the Administrator may require the applicant to supply, within a specified reasonable time, additional information relevant to the § 971.408(a)(1) finding.
(d) The applicant must include in its application satisfactory assurances that such resources after processing, to the extent of the permittee's ownership therein, will be returned to the United States for domestic use if the Administrator determines pursuant to § 971.408 that the national interest necessitates such return. Assurances must include proposed arrangements with the host country.

## Nearby sections

- [15 CFR § 971.201 § 971.201 Statement of financial resources.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.201.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.202 § 971.202 Statement of technological experience and capabilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.202.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.203 § 971.203 Commercial recovery plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.203.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.204 § 971.204 Environmental and use conflict analysis.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.204.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.205 § 971.205 Vessel safety and documentation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.205.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.206 § 971.206 Statement of ownership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.206.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.207 § 971.207 Antitrust information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.207.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.208 § 971.208 Fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.208.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.209 § 971.209 Processing outside the United States.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.209.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.210 § 971.210 Determination whether application is complete for further processing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.210.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.211 § 971.211 Consultation and cooperation with Federal agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.211.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.212 § 971.212 Public notice, hearing and comment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.212.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.213 § 971.213 Amendment to an application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.213.md)
- [15 CFR § 971.214 § 971.214 Consolidated license and permit procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.214.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-971.209. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.