Shipping Frequently Asked Questions
The Export Control Shipping FAQ is designed to assist in identifying situations in which U.S. Export Control laws and regulations may impact University shipments. Export Controls may apply to shipment, transfer or transmission of items overseas. Please consult this FAQ to determine if the shipment may have potential Export Control Issues if you plan to ship or transmit items overseas.
The FAQ may not apply to every specific situation and does not constitute legal advice. If you have specific questions regarding applicability of Export Controls to any shipment or other University activity, please consult the Export Control Officer.
Important Note
It is your responsibility to review the FAQ questions with respect to your shipment and contact the Export Control Officer to discuss any issues. If any of the questions above indicates that Export Control laws MAY impact your shipment, it is your responsibility to contact the Export Control Officer for further information and resolve any potential issues before the item is shipped or transported outside the United States.
If your answer to any of the questions below is "YES", Export Control laws and regulations may impact your shipment, you should consult the Export Control Officer before shipping your item. The Export Control Officer will determine if an export license should be secured or if an export exception applies to your shipment.
Note that if a license is required, it can take months to secure the necessary approvals which may significantly delay the proposed shipment.
- Bulk Mailings - Any Shipper sending bulk mailings of similar items to multiple international destinations is not required to complete the Form. If you are shipping a bulk mailing, please consult directly with the Export Control Officer regarding the shipment.
- Deemed Exports - Individuals should also be aware that the release or disclosure of Export-Controlled items to Foreign Nationals in the U.S. (a "deemed export") may also be subject to regulation: Information on Deemed Exports.
- Is the item, information, or data being shipped software, chemical materials, bio-agent, or technology designed or modified for military use or is there reason to know it could be used for military purposes?
U.S. Export Control laws and regulations regulate items, information or data that are designed for or might be used for military purposes. This might include certain hazardous materials (e.g. some biological, chemicals or radioactive materials), materials controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or "dual-use" items controlled by the Export Administration Regulation (e.g. commodity/hardware, software, technical data with both civilian and potential military or nuclear proliferation capabilities.)
If your shipment is software, chemical materials, a bio-agent, or other "dual-use" technology, you should consult with the Export Control Officer to determine if there are potential Export Control concerns.
- Is the item, information, or data being shipped non-commercial encryption software in source code or object code?
If you plan to ship encryption software or computers with encryption software overseas, there may be a potential Export Control issue. The Export Control definitions of "encryption capability" are detailed and technical. An item might be considered encryption software or technology if it:
- Employs a symmetric algorithm with a key length in excess of 64-bits;
- Employs a asymmetric algorithm in excess of 512 bits or uses discrete logarithms in a group in excess of 112 bits
- Performs dual-use cryptanalytic functions or quantum cryptography;
- Uses cryptographic techniques to detect intrusions or to generate the spreading code, hopping code, channelizing codes, scrambling codes or network identification codes for systems using ultra-wideband modulation techniques.
U.S. Export Control laws and regulations have different levels of control for Encryption Items based on the type of encryption. For example, certain low strength mass market encryption items can be exported to most countries (except those sanctioned/embargoed countries like Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and Sudan), while higher strength encryption items may require classification from the Bureau of Industry and Security before they can be exported.
Sharing, shipping, transmission, or transfer of all encryption software in either source code or object code that is specifically designed or developed for a military, intelligence, or space application is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and cannot be shared with a Foreign National unless the code is already published or otherwise in the public domain.
If you plan to ship software or items with encryption technology, please consult the Export Control Officer.
- Does the item, information, or data being shipped involve technical data, advanced technology or equipment that relates to any category of controlled technologies?
If a shipment involves items or services relating to any of the Export Controlled categories listed below, the item or service might be export controlled and subject to certain restrictions. You should consult the Export Control Officer.
| Chemical, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering (e.g. purchase of hazardous chemicals, biological reagents, etc.) | Telecommunications/Networking / Information Security (e.g. optical fibers, switching equipment, networking devices with encryption or cryptographic capability) |
| Materials Technology (e.g. high-end machine tools, pumps, detection equipment) | Propulsion System and Unmanned Air Vehicle Subsystems |
| Remote Sensing/Imaging/Reconnaissance/Satellite | Sensors and Sensor Technology |
| Information Security/Encryption (e.g. software whose main purpose is encryption and decryption of data) | Advanced Computer/Microelectronic Technology (e.g. electronic components with specially designed circuits) |
| Robotics | Nuclear Technology |
| Navigation, Avionics and Flight Control | Laser and Directed Energy Systems |
| Military Related Technology |
- Will the item, information, or data be shipped to an embargoed or sanctioned country such North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Cuba, or other nations not specifically listed)?
Shipments to Sanctioned or Embargoed countries are subject to the strictest Export Control requirements. These restrictions vary based on the nature of the shipment and the specific country. You must consult with the Export Control Officer before any shipment of information, items, or data to a Sanctioned or Embargoed country.
Please note the list of embargoed and sanctioned countries changes from time to time. You can consult the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control website for the most current available information on US sanctioned or embargoed countries.
- Does the recipient of the shipment appear on a Denied Parties List?
The United States Government maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports or transfers of items to certain individuals or entities. To determine if the recipient is not eligible to receive a shipment, please consult the Consolidated Screening List. The Consolidated Screening List incorporates information from the Department of Commerce, Department of State, and Department of Treasury to identify individuals and entities that have restricted or denied export privileges.
If the proposed recipient (individual or company) of the shipment appears on Consolidated Screening List, you must consult the Export Control Officer before the shipment is sent. Otherwise, you can provide the recipient's name to the Export Control Officer who will perform the screening for you.