International Travel

Rice University faculty, staff, and students should be aware of potential export restrictions when they travel to a foreign country. Here are questions to ask to determine whether any restrictions apply to your activities:

Where are you going?

In particular, is that country subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions, like Iran, Sudan, or Cuba? If so, please contact us.

What are you taking with you?

Are you taking something listed on the Commerce Control List (CCL) or United States Munitions List (USML)? If so, please contact us. We can help determine whether there are any restrictions for taking that item to the country to where you’re traveling.

Are you taking any written materials (e.g., research files) that are export controlled?

With regard to laptops, tablets, and smartphones: Generally, off-the-shelf, commercially available devices have restrictions only if taken to locations subject to comprehensive U.S. embargoes (i.e., Iran, Sudan, Cuba, etc.)

Warning! What kind of software or information (e.g., research files) is stored on that device?

  • Is that software or information export controlled?
  • Case study: Former University of Tennessee at Knoxville John Roth was convicted of several charges relating to export control violations, which included taking a laptop with export controlled information (research relating to drone technology) to China. Click here for a summary of that case.

What are you doing once you get there?

Are you sharing information subject to export controls with non-U.S. nationals? If you’re attending an academic conference, in many cases there shouldn’t be export control restrictions. However, restrictions may apply if any of the following are true:

  • You’re presenting unpublished research results specially designed for military or space applications, or is subject to ITAR.
  • You’re presenting research subject to a Technology Control Plan.
  • While abroad, you’ll be accessing Rice email or research files containing information specially designed for military or space applications, or is otherwise subject to ITAR.
  • The conference is not “open” (note taking or the making of personal records during the conference is altogether prohibited).

Are you doing business with a party listed on one of the U.S. government’s restricted party lists? If so, please visit “Doing business with restricted entities“.