Export Controls

Export controls are U.S. laws and regulations that regulate and restrict the release of critical technologies, information, and services to foreign nationals, within and outside of the United States, and foreign countries for reasons of foreign policy and national security. The scope of export-controlled items is very broad and includes, but is not limited to, equipment, software code, chemical and biological materials, and technical data.  These laws and regulations, which include international sanctions programs, also restrict activities within certain countries (see https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx) and with designated institutions, entities, and individuals, even if no controlled items are involved. Export controls apply to virtually all fields of science and engineering and restrict both physical shipments and electronic transmission of information. These laws apply to all activities – not just sponsored research projects. 

Exports include:

  • an actual shipment or transmission out of the United States, including sending or taking a controlled item or information out of the United States in any manner,
  • releasing or otherwise transferring (including verbally or visually) information about a controlled item to a foreign person in the United States (a "deemed export"),
  • transferring registration, control, or ownership of certain controlled items to a foreign person, and
  • use or application of controlled technology on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any foreign person or entity, either in the U.S. or abroad.

 

UMass Amherst Export Control Program

 

Other Guidance Resources

 

Export Control Related Sites