Export Control Overview

Export controls affect many university activities such as:

• Conducting research, especially in certain risk areas;
• Exchanging scientific or technical information (written or oral) with foreign nationals, even those located in the United States;
• Shipping internationally, especially research materials, samples, and specimens;
• Traveling to foreign countries; and
• Doing business with foreign and restricted entities

If export control restrictions apply, Rice University must (a) apply for and obtain a government license and/or (b) implement a technology control plan before the activity is conducted.

Export control regulations are very complex and often involve special rules being applied to certain items or technology and other rules being applied to specific foreign countries. Regardless, Rice University is committed to complying with all applicable export control laws and regulations and will not undertake any activity contrary to the law. We encourage all Rice faculty, staff, and students to be aware of export controls and situations in which restrictions may apply, and to ask questions early and often.

For more information about export controls, you may review background information or the Rice procedures, or you may contact us. Please ask questions well in advance of the proposed transaction, as government approval of export licenses can take several weeks (minimum) to several months (average).