The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Office of Foreign Asset Controls have imposed restrictions on some activities with foreign persons and entities based in China to protect and advance U.S. national security and foreign policy.
Numerous educational institutions, research institutions, companies, and non-profit organizations are included on the BIS Entity List, BIS Unverified List, and/or the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list, which are lists of parties reasonably believed to be involved in or pose a significant risk of being involved in proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, military modernization that threatens U.S. interests, human rights violations, cyber-enabled activities, and/or support of terrorism. Engagement with entities on these lists are subject to prohibitions or may require a license, depending on the type of engagement.
As a result, the UO must take additional steps to ensure compliance with these complex regulations prior to engaging with parties in China. The Export Control Officer reviews each party and each transaction or engagement, as different parties and transactions may be subject to different restrictions. Export control compliance is carried out without discrimination and without denying anyone an opportunity based on nationality or immigration status.
The UO is committed to seeking export licensure if necessary to advance UO research, scholarship, and creative activity. License applications may take up to six months. License requirements are rare, as the regulations often provide license exceptions. However, license exceptions are only valid if the Export Control Officer documents them in advance of the activity.
Request Compliance Review
Only the Export Control Officer is authorized to determine compliance within the areas described on this page. Please request a compliance review prior to undertaking the activities described below or any other engagement with China or Chinese nationals not included in this page.
Hosting International Students and Visiting Scholars
The use of some technical or scientific equipment by a foreign national is considered an export to that person's country, even if that person is currently residing in the United States. Similarly, the release or disclosure of some information or source code to a foreign national is also considered an export to that person's country. These are referred to as "deemed exports."
The Export Control Office works with research centers, institutes, and individual faculty labs to classify equipment and determine whether there are any export control considerations when hosting international scholars, visitors, students, or other collaborators.
More About Hosting International Scholars
Travel to China
All travel requests and reimbursements must be entered into Concur, regardless of whether the trip is domestic or international.
The Export Control Office receives information from Concur about employees' international travel. The Export Control Officer may contact travelers prior to their trip, depending on the destination and purpose. An export control license may be required before the travel occurs.
More About International Travel
Shipping
Departments shipping materials internationally (excluding immigration, marketing, or admissions materials and published research materials such as journal articles) must submit an International Shipment Form before sending through UO Mail Services or external carriers, such as US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
Once submitted, the International Shipment Form provides the shipper with concrete next steps in the shipment process. If the shipper will be using UO Mail Services, the form will provide a pre-populated document to print and affix to the package.
Forms are reviewed within one business day, but additional compliance steps may be required based on shipment contents.
Unauthorized shipment of export-controlled items may lead to significant federal civil or criminal penalties, including but not limited to temporary prohibitions on international transactions. Departments are responsible for ensuring they have proper approvals.