Export control laws and regulations are complicated. As a fundamental research institution, much of what we do is excluded from these regulations provided our research results are regularly published and broadly shared with the scientific community.
However, this exclusion does not apply to tangible items that are being taken or shipped outside of the U.S.
What does this mean to you? Are you shipping or receiving any research materials outside of the U.S.? If you're traveling outside of the U.S., just taking your laptop with you can be subject to export control regulations.
Please contact the Office of Contracts and Grants at ocg@ucanr.edu if you have questions on export control. We can help provide guidance on whether or not an export control license may be necessary as the requirements will vary according to the general characteristics of the items or technology, the destination country and the intended use of the export. The process of obtaining an export license from the government can be lengthy, so please plan accordingly.
Thank you. Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)
Resources:
UCOP – Export Control Information Regarding Shipping
UCOP – Export Control – Top Ten Things You (REALLY) Should Know Before Taking Your Laptop Overseas