What are Export Controls?

Export Controls are federal laws that regulate the shipment or transfer of controlled items, software, technology, or services outside of the United States.  In addition, these laws also restrict the release of certain information to foreign nationals in the U.S., otherwise known as a “deemed export”. 

In order to ensure compliance with export controls, it is critically important for university personnel to identify when their activities may trigger export controls. Typical university transactions or activities can or may have export control implications, including:

  • Collaborating with a foreign institution, person, military or entity
  • Receiving export controlled data, materials or research samples
  • Sponsored research awards which include publication restrictions, proprietary or export controlled information, technology, hardware or software, or request that only U.S. persons work on a project or the citizenship status of the research team
  • Foreign nationals’ access to controlled items or information
  • Shipping or hand-carrying equipment, items, samples or controlled data internationally
  • Developing a technology that may fall on the U.S. munitions list
  • Purchasing or receiving hardware or paperwork that the vendor or sponsor has designated “ITAR’, “U.S. Only”, “No Export”
  • Transactions involving sanctioned countries such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria

Importance of Export Control Compliance

As part of a leading research institution, UCI researchers create and have access to sensitive technologies controlled by U.S. export laws for national security, economic and foreign policy reasons. To fulfill our commitment to regulatory compliance as a premier research university, we have an export control program designed to support and facilitate our faculty’s scholarly and creative activities while promoting compliance with U.S. export controls.

Best Times to Include Export Control

Email Amy Green ITAR'S USML EAR'S CCL
  • Defense article or technical data on the ITAR’s USML?
  • Non-disclosure, confidentiality, or software license agreement?
  • Traveling to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, or Syria?
  • Shipping items or materials outside of the US?
  • Sponsored agreement with publication or foreign national restrictions?
  • Shipping, transferring, or carrying item on the CCL of the EAR?

Export Control Red Flags

Export Control Team

Brian McCurdy

Export Control Officer

Joanna Arias

Research Engagement & Compliance Officer

Export Control

General Export Control Inquiries