International Transfers (Shipping, Hand-Carry & Electronic Transfers)
Overview
International transfers are a routine part of University research. Faculty, staff, and students frequently ship research equipment and materials, travel internationally with University-owned devices or research assets, and electronically share research information with collaborators around the world.
Although many international transfers may proceed without restriction, others are subject to U.S. export control regulations, sanctions, federal sponsor requirements, contractual obligations, or other institutional requirements. Whether additional review is required depends on the specific item or information being transferred, the destination, the recipient, the intended end use, and applicable regulations.
The Office of Research Security (ORS) assists faculty, staff, and students in identifying applicable export control, research security, sponsor, and institutional requirements before research assets are transferred internationally.
REQUEST AN EXPORT CONTROL REVIEW
Contact ORS Before You
Contact ORS before you:
- Ship research equipment, materials, chemicals, biological samples, software, or other research assets outside the United States.
- Hand-carry research equipment, software, technology, research materials, or other research assets during international travel.
- Electronically transfer software, technical information, source code, engineering drawings, research data, or other research assets to individuals or organizations outside the United States.
- Transfer export-controlled equipment, software, technology, or technical information.
- Transfer research assets to a sanctioned or embargoed country.
- Transfer research assets to a foreign military, government organization, or restricted entity.
- Ship items subject to sponsor, contractual, or other transfer restrictions.
- Are uncertain whether export control, sanctions, sponsor, or other institutional requirements apply.
Key Considerations
An international transfer includes more than shipping.
Research assets may be transferred internationally by:
- Shipping or mailing items outside the United States
- Hand-carrying equipment, materials, or devices during international travel
- Electronically transmitting or providing access to research information outside the United States
Each method of transfer may be subject to export control regulations, sanctions, sponsor requirements, or other institutional requirements.
International transfers may involve much more than research equipment.
Examples include:
- Laboratory equipment and scientific instruments
- Chemicals, biological materials, and research samples
- Software and source code
- Technical information and engineering drawings
- Research data and databases
- Encryption software
- Research materials and prototypes
- Components and spare parts
- Other research information or technology
Whether a transfer requires review depends on the item or information being transferred—not simply its commercial value.
International shipments of research assets may require export control review before shipment.
Whether a shipment requires additional review depends on factors such as the export classification of the item, the destination country, the recipient, the intended end use, applicable sanctions, sponsor requirements, and other regulatory considerations.
Taking research equipment, laptops, storage devices, software, samples, or other research assets outside the United States constitutes an export under U.S. export control regulations. However, many commonly used research and University-owned items may be taken abroad without an export license, depending on the item, destination, end use, and other circumstances.
ORS can determine whether additional review, a license exception, or U.S. Government authorization is required before travel.
International transfers also include electronically providing software, technical information, research data, engineering drawings, source code, or other research information to individuals or organizations outside the United States.
Electronic transfers may occur through:
- Cloud storage
- File-sharing services
- Remote system access
- Collaboration platforms
- Electronic downloads
- Other electronic transmission methods
Whether an international transfer requires review depends on multiple factors, including:
- The item or information being transferred
- Export classification
- Destination country
- Recipient
- Intended end use
- Applicable export control regulations
- U.S. sanctions and embargo programs
Transfers involving sanctioned countries, restricted organizations, or individuals appearing on U.S. Government restricted party lists may require additional review or U.S. Government authorization.
Related Guidance
| Related Guidance | Description |
|---|---|
| Export Control Classification | Learn how equipment, materials, software, technology, and technical information are classified under U.S. export control regulations. |
| International Travel | Guidance for international travel involving research, teaching, field work, conferences, or other University activities. |
| Sharing Research Information | Guidance for sharing research information, data, software, technology, technical information, presentations, publications, or other research outputs with collaborators, sponsors, companies, government agencies, or other third parties. |
| Publicly Available Information | Learn when publicly available information is excluded from export control requirements and when additional restrictions may still apply. |
| Countries of Concern | Learn about countries that may require additional review because of federal research security, sponsor, export control, or institutional requirements. |
| Sanctions & Embargo Programs | Guidance for understanding U.S. sanctions programs and conducting research activities involving sanctioned destinations. |
| Restricted Entity Screening | Learn how organizations and individuals are screened against U.S. government restricted party and entity lists before certain research activities. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an international transfer?
An international transfer includes shipping, mailing, hand-carrying, or electronically transferring research equipment, materials, software, technology, technical information, research data, or other research assets outside the United States.
Do all international transfers require an export license?
No. Many international transfers do not require an export license or other U.S. Government authorization. Whether additional review is required depends on the item or information being transferred, destination, recipient, intended end use, and applicable requirements.
Does emailing research information outside the United States count as an international transfer?
Yes. Depending on the information being shared, electronic transfers of software, source code, technical information, engineering drawings, research data, and other research assets may be subject to export control regulations.
Can I hand-carry research equipment during international travel?
Possibly. Many researchers travel internationally with University equipment without requiring an export license. However, export control requirements depend on the equipment, destination, purpose of travel, and applicable regulations. Contact ORS before traveling internationally with research assets whenever you are uncertain whether review is required.
What information does ORS need to review an international transfer?
ORS may request information regarding:
- The item or information being transferred
- The destination country
- The recipient and organization
- The intended end use
- The method of transfer
- The associated research project or sponsor, if applicable
This information helps determine whether export control regulations, sanctions, sponsor requirements, contractual obligations, or other institutional requirements apply.
Need Assistance?
International transfers are a routine part of research and, in many cases, may proceed without restriction. However, because export control, sanctions, sponsor requirements, and contractual obligations depend on the specific circumstances of each transfer, early consultation with ORS helps identify applicable requirements before research assets leave the United States.
Contact the Office of Research Security before shipping, hand-carrying, or electronically transferring research assets internationally whenever you are uncertain whether additional review is required.