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Overview and Basics

Overview

Export Controls regulations are federal laws that prohibit the unlicensed export of certain types of technologies or information for reasons of national security, protection of trade or due to economic and trade sanctions. These regulations also restrict the transfer of this same material to foreign nationals within the US, which the government refers to as a “deemed export.” (For more information on this subject see Nov 11, 2004 COGR presentation entitled “Export Controls and Universities: Licensing Research?” by Robert Hardy.) If university research involves such specified technologies, these regulations may require the university to obtain prior approval (i.e., license) from the appropriate agency prior to allowing foreign nationals to participate in the research, engage in collaborative research with a foreign institution and/or share research results with persons who are not United States citizens or permanent residents.  The consequences of violating these regulations can be quite severe, ranging from loss of research contracts to monetary penalties to jail time for the individual violating these regulations. It is the policy of Louisiana Tech University to comply with all US export control laws and regulations. Accordingly, Louisiana Tech has developed an export control compliance program and procedures to enable Louisiana Tech personnel and students to conduct their university business in accord with these laws.

Basics

These laws are promulgated and enforced by 3 governmental agencies.

1. US Department of Commerce (DOC) – Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) – Export Control Regulations (EAR)

EAR regulates “dual use” products & technologies, that is products that that are designed for commercial use but have the potential for military application. An export license is required before a transfer of any such items/information can occur.  The license requirements are dependent upon an item’s technical characteristics, the destination, the end-use, and the end-user, and other activities of the end-user. The first step in establishing whether a dual-use item (i.e. commodity, software or technology) requires a license is to determine the product’s Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL). ECCNs identify reasons for control which indicate licensing requirements to certain destinations. If your item is a dual use item falling under DOC jurisdiction and is not listed on the CCL, it is designated as EAR99. EAR99 items generally consist of low-technology or consumer goods and do not require a license in most situations. (An export license may be required, however, if the proposed export is to an embargoed country.)

Here is an example of an exercise one might conduct to determine if the item they are planning to transport to a foreign country would be prohibited under EAR.

2.  US Department of State – International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

ITAR regulates military items such as munitions and defense articles found on the United States Munitions List (USML). Unlike EAR where the need for the license is dependent upon the nature of the technology and country of export, this is not the case with ITAR. If it appears on USML then it is subject to ITAR. Foreign nationals from all countries are prohibited from participating in research involving such items unless an export control license is obtained first. The USML covers the following 21 categories of items:

  1. Firearms, Close Assault Weapons and Combat Shotguns
  2. Guns and Armament
  3. Ammunition/Ordnance
  4.  Launch Vehicles, Guided Missiles, Ballistic Missiles, Rockets, Torpedoes, Bombs, and Mines
  5. Explosives and Energetic Materials, Propellants, Incendiary Agents, and Their Constituents
  6.  Surface Vessels of War and Special Naval Equipment
  7. Ground Vehicles
  8. Aircraft and Related Articles
  9. Military Training Equipment and Training
  10. Personal Protective Equipment
  11. Military Electronics
  12. Fire Control, Laser, Imaging, and Guidance Equipment
  13.  Materials and Miscellaneous Articles
  14. Toxicological Agents, Including Chemical Agents, Biological Agents, and Associated Equipment
  15. Spacecraft and Related Articles
  16.  Nuclear Weapons Related Articles
  17.  Classified Articles, Technical Data, and Defense Services Not Otherwise Enumerated
  18.  Directed Energy Weapons
  19.  Gas Turbine Engines and Associated Equipment
  20.  Submersible Vessels and Related Articles
  21.  Articles, Technical Data, and Defense Services Not Otherwise Enumerated

3.  In addition, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions that have been imposed against specific countries based on reasons of foreign policy, national security, or international agreements. Full descriptions of all countries currently subject to sanctions are available here. Generally speaking, universities typically encounter OFAC issues less frequently than those arising from ITAR and EAR. However, collaborative research activities with nationals from OFAC-sanctioned countries may be viewed by OFAC as prohibited services. Before engaging in collaborations with foreign nationals or exporting research articles overseas, you should first check the OFAC’s list of embargoed entities and persons to determine if any controls exist on the exports to the intended recipients(s).