The Export Control Officer must approve all international shipments of export-controlled items prior to shipment. Additionally, unauthorized shipment of export-controlled items may result in significant federal civil or criminal penalties, including but not limited to temporary prohibitions on international transactions.
Departments sending packages internationally are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper approvals.
Shipping with UO Mail Services
The Export Control Officer works directly with UO Mail Services to ensure export control compliance on international packages shipped centrally. If departments have alerted Mail Services to the contents of the package, no additional compliance steps are required.
Shipping without UO Mail Services
Many departments send packages internationally without using UO Mail Services by going directly to freight carriers like UPS or FedEx or by using the U.S. Postal Service.
Before sending packages internationally, departments should contact export controls to:
- Request a compliance check on the recipient
- Classify the materials being shipped
- Determine whether an export license may be needed
To begin the process, please click below to request a compliance check.
Shipping Biological Materials
The Export Control Officer must approve all international shipments of biological materials prior to shipment. Additionally, unauthorized shipments of any material listed on this page may result in significant federal civil or criminal penalties, including but not limited to temporary prohibitions on international transactions.
Special Note About Shipments to Iran
Due to Iran’s status as an embargoed country, the UO must take special compliance measures for shipments to Iran. In general, the UO is prohibited from the physical shipment of anything to Iran. While the Export Control Officer may in certain circumstances apply for an export license for a physical shipment, such requests come with a presumption of denial from the federal government. Please email the Export Control Officer prior to engaging in any shipment to Iran.
Special Note About Shipments to Russia and Belarus
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Bureau of Industry and Security has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia and Belarus. As part of these sanctions, an export license is required in order to ship any item with an “export classification number” to Russia or Belarus. Export classifications are wide ranging and often apply to items typically not considered sensitive in nature.
Prior to shipping to anything to Russia or Belarus, please request a compliance check. The Export Control Officer will follow up swiftly to determine whether an export license or other authorization is required prior to shipment.