Export controls are federal laws and regulations that restrict the flow of certain materials, devices, and technical information related to such materials and devices outside the United States. The federal regulations most applicable to university activities include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Export Administration Regulations, implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which controls the export of dual use technologies, i.e., items that are used, or have the potential to be used, for both military and commercial purposes that could adversely affect national security if exported.
  • International Traffic in Arms Regulations, implemented by the U.S. Department of State to regulate military or defense-related articles, technologies, and services.
  • Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions to protect foreign policy and national security goals. It controls the transfer of items and services of value to embargoed nations and imposes trade sanctions and trade and travel embargoes aimed at controlling terrorism, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.

An export is the:

  • Transfer of controlled information, including technical data, to persons or entities outside of the U.S.
  • Shipment of controlled physical items, such as scientific equipment, requiring export licenses from the U.S. to a foreign country.
  • Verbal, written, electronic, and/or visual disclosures of controlled scientific and technical information related to export controlled items to foreign nationals inside the U.S. ("deemed exports").

Please connect through the links below to more information regarding specific areas of export control compliance.