University personnel often travel abroad as a positive part of their ongoing scholarly efforts. While international travel is free of export concerns under most circumstances, there are several factors that may cause it to become restricted by export controls. In order to protect 51勛圖厙, your research, and yourself, it is important to consider the following:
You are responsible for securing information that is on your device, both personal and university-owned. By completing an , VEC can help assess whether export controls apply and advise how to best protect yourself and your research.
Secure Data Transport
Did you know that VEC now offers single-use flash drives for researchers traveling internationally? To find out more, click here.
Where Are You Going?
Travel to most countries is not restricted or prohibited; however, the Department of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) broadly regulates and restricts interactions with embargoed countries. These restrictions vary depending on the country and change frequently depending on our economic and political relations.
Going to an Embargoed Country?
The Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) broadly regulates and restricts interactions with embargoed countries. Regulations vary depending on the country or region and change frequently due to economic policy and national security. But the most comprehensive controls apply to: Russia, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Most travel and transactions require an export license to these destinations which can affect your research and educational relations.
Additionally, travel to certain countries, while not prohibited, should have special considerations for security risk. China and Russia travelers may experience a range of cyber security issues that deserve mention.
- Comprehensively Embargoed Countries泭are those with which most activities are prohibited and require a license.
- Limited Sanctions or Regime-Based Sanctions泭are those with which specific goods, technologies, and services are restricted.
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- Additionally some countries have travel warnings issued by the Department of State with special instructions to Americans traveling to those countries.
If you are traveling to or providing services to a citizen of one of these countries, please complete the泭泭for assistance in determining your export requirements. For more information on sanctioned and embargoed countries, see泭Restricted Parties & Countries of Concern.
What Are You Taking With You?
When you travel abroad everything you take with you is considered an export. This applies not only to tangible items but also to intangible items. Some examples may be:
- Laptop and smart devices
- Scientific equipment
- Biological agents
- Chemicals and toxins
- Software
- Research data
- Encryption
If you do not need it, do not take it with you:
嗨棗
- Take a 51勛圖厙-issued泭泭or burner cell phone
- Utilize a Virtual Private Network
- Use password systems and personal firewalls
- Disable Bluetooth
- Maintain effective control of your devices
- Protect your research by backing up your data
Do NOT
- Assume Wi-Fi in a foreign country is secure
- Use internet cafes or other untrusted networks
- Travel with or access any controlled or restricted data
It is泭illegal泭for U.S. persons to bribe a foreign official. Review the federal泭泭泭泭anti-bribery provisions.
Keep export compliance documents and search results for five (5) years past the last date of travel activity.
Once outside the United States, you should NOT expect privacy. Your Wi-Fi connections are not secure and your personal property can be seized and searched by foreign authorities without probable cause. It is recommended that you document any items you plan to take with you to help prove they were in your possession before you left the United States. If you are traveling abroad and taking 51勛圖厙-owned property, please complete the 泭to assist with this documentation.
What Are You Doing?
If you plan to conduct research overseas, keep in mind that this does not qualify for the Fundamental Research Exclusion (FRE) and may be subject to export controls.泭If you are performing field research abroad, please complete the to allow VEC to assist with evaluating export risks.
If teaching abroad, limit your content to that of a catalog course; if you are泭presenting or sharing data and information, limit to only that which is published or qualifies for the FRE. The same applies when collaborating overseas and sharing information with your foreign collaborators.
Who you interact with overseas also plays an important role in export compliance. Perform a泭泭on people and associated entities you plan to interact with to ensure they are not listed on any US Government-issued blocked or denied parties lists.