What are export control regulations?

U.S. export control laws govern the transfer of controlled information, items, and technologies to foreign countries and foreign persons for national security purposes. The regulations also seek to further U.S. foreign policy through the administration of trade/economic sanctions. Export control regulations can control everything from technology and data to economic transactions and business partnerships

How can an export occur?

• Physically sending export controlled items to a foreign country
• Transmitting export controlled information or software electronically or digitally to a foreign country or foreign person
• Use of export controlled technology on behalf or for the benefit of a foreign person or foreign country
• Deemed export - Disclosure or transfer of export controlled items [including technology and information] to a foreign entity or individual within the U.S. is deemed to be an export to the home country of the foreign person
• May occur by such means as:
  • Tours of laboratories
  • Involvement of foreign persons in the research
  • Oral exchanges, emails or visual inspection
  • Hosting a foreign researcher

Who can have access to export controlled technology/information?

U.S. persons may have unrestricted access, for the purpose of export control regulations, to export controlled technology/information.

A U.S. person is a U.S. citizen, “green card” holder, asylee or refugee designations, incorporated to do business in the U.S.

A foreign person may not be able to have access to export controlled technology or information. VCU’s Export Compliance Program should be consulted before granting access or sharing export controlled technology or data with a foreign national or foreign entity.

A foreign person is any U.S. person effectively owned or controlled by a foreign interest, foreign businesses not incorporated in the U.S., or individuals holding a work or student visa (F1, J1, H1B)

Additional forms and information:

Is my work controlled decision tree
This decision tree is designed to help you decide whether your research is subject to export controls and requires further review.

Research self-assessment
This tool asks you specific questions about your research to help you decide if you should contact the Export Compliance Program for further guidance.

Export control red flags
This is a list of events or circumstances that should cause you to think twice about export control issues and contact the Export Compliance Program for more information.

EAR license decision tree
If an item is export controlled that is not the end of the road. This chart shows the steps necessary to decide if you need to seek a specific license from the Commerce Department for the export of your technology or information.

Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)
DURC consists of research involving one of fifteen hazardous agents and toxins, which can be reasonably anticipated to produce one or more of seven pre-defined experimental effects. The Institutional Review Entity regulates all DURC experiments at VCU. 

Shipping to destinations outside the U.S.

International shipping is also subject to numerous export and import controls and regulations. Fines, confiscation or incarceration can all result from failing to comply. VCU’s Business Services office as well as all standard carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) require completed paperwork prior to accepting a package for shipment internationally. VCU is the shipper of record — not the shipping agent or the customs broker — no matter who fills out the forms.

It’s important to understand that everything that crosses the border is an export, even if the item is abroad only temporarily or if it will be used for research.

Most hardware as well as some software and information are export-controlled to some degree. Some entities, people and uses are restricted — approval must be obtained prior to shipping any item or information.

Hazardous materials need to be packaged and labeled appropriately:

• Biological tissues
• Chemicals
• Batteries and fuel cells
• Radioactive materials

Dangerous goods shipping information and required training is available through the Safety and Risk Management Office here.

Additional Information

International shipping export checklist
This is a step by step guide to shipping items internationally

International shipping import checklist
This is a step by step guide to receiving international items

Correct shipping documentation
This contains information on how to correctly label and classify your international shipments

VCU has expanded its international collaborations more than ever. This is an exciting time for the university and is an endeavor for which the Export Compliance Program seeks to provide full support. While there are many benefits to international collaborations the agreements that outline those collaborations must comply with U.S. government regulations.

The U.S. government has created a list of individuals and entities that have been designated as conducting activities that are contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The Export Compliance Program provides support in determining if any potential business partners or collaborators are on that list and will identify the specific restrictions associated with those entities.

The university is also prohibited from supporting unsanctioned boycotts of other countries. All international agreements should be reviewed for compliance with the U.S. anti-boycott regulations.

To aid university personnel in identifying and conducting these reviews the Export Compliance Program has created an “International Agreements Pre-screening form” to be completed by the individuals negotiating these agreements. This form asks for biographical information on the parties to the agreement and some information on the type of relationship being formed under the agreement. This information will greatly aid in a quick and accurate determination by the Export Compliance Program.

Additional information

U.S. anti-boycott regulations
The university cannot agree to participate in foreign country boycotts not sanctioned by the U.S. government. This document provides guidance on potential prohibited provisions in international agreements

U.S. sanctions
As part of it's enforcement efforts under the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Office of Foreign Assets and Control (OFAC) maintains a list of sanctioned companies and individuals that are blocked from engaging in business with U.S. persons or entities. More information about those sanctions are included in the link above.

The Export Compliance Program tracks and provides advice for international travels several different ways:

High Risk Travel: For international travel to certain countries deemed “high risk” by the U.S. government, the Export Compliance Program has established an approval stop in Chrome River for any pre-approvals entered for travel to those countries. Export Compliance Program will reach out to the individual traveling and ask for:

• The entities/institutions they will be working with while abroad
• Background information on the reason for the travel

Export Compliance Program does this to conduct background screenings on entities VCU plans to work with and to provide the traveler with export compliance guidance that fits their specific needs.

Other International Travel: Export Compliance Program tracks all other international travel through travel management services provided by Collegiate Travel Planners and highly recommends that individuals use Collegiate Travel Planners for all travel including travel that is not reimbursed by the university.

ECO, in conjunction with VCU Technology Services currently has a "travel laptop program." To request a travel laptop, please contact the Export Compliance office.

If you plan to travel to Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea or Sudan, contact the Export Compliance Program in advance of your travel.

If you plan to travel to any destination with research data or technology other than a standard VCU laptop, contact the Export Compliance Program in advance of your travel.

Additional information and forms

RAMS ECO system
If travelers use VCU’s Chrome Rivers system to get a pre-approval, the ECO system automatically generates and emails travelers a link to a smart form for their trip.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
This guidance details some of the requirements of the FCPA. The FCPA applies for any international travel.

TMP exception form
This form is not required but should be used if the traveler is exporting a piece of VCU technology under the “Tools of the Trade” exception.

Travel training

The Export Compliance Program offers one-on-one travel training. Please email the export compliance manager at exportctrl@vcu.edu to schedule.

VCU is required by federal regulations to monitor assignments to its facilities of foreign persons to ensure that the disclosure of, and access to, export controlled articles and related information are limited to those approved by an export authorization. All international employees and visitors must be processed through the Global Education Office (GEO). An export control review will be performed on all foreign persons regardless of employee or visitor status.

Please review the “Do Export Control Regulations Apply to Me?” page on this website for information on “Deemed Exports,” which is a high risk area for the university.

Additional information and forms

RAMS ECO system
If you plan to hire an employee who is not a citizen of the U.S. (needs an H-1B or J Visa) or if you plan to invite an international visitor, or if you plan to have another researcher conduct research in your lab (Visiting Scholar) you must login to the RAMS ECO system and complete a Visa review smart form.

Visiting nonemployee scholar agreement
The VSA is designed to establish a legal relationship with an individual that otherwise would not have on with the University. The agreement informs the visiting scholar of their responsibilities while at VCU and requires they be bound by VCU Policies. This agreement should be completed and signed by any Visiting Scholar (individual working in a lab at VCU that is from another institution and is not being paid by VCU).

International visitor pre-screen form
In an effort to mitigate VCU's risk of undue foreign influence at the university, the Global Affairs subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Compliance Advisory Committee, has implemented an international visitor pre-screen form. It should be filled out at least 10 days prior to hosting any international visitor on campus. Please submit completed forms to exportctrl@vcu.edu. A preview of the form is located here. If you have questions, please contact Nicole Porter, Export compliance officer, portern@vcu.edu.

RAMS ECO system (requires a VCUeID login) is a supplemental system to Chrome River and Collegiate Travel Planners. It will import relevant travel information you have entered into those systems and will automatically notify you by email if you need to log into RAMS ECO and complete any additional questions.

In addition, individuals requesting visa reviews can use RAMS ECO at any time to request an Export Compliance Review. Once you receive confirmation that the review is complete, you should include that information with your normal documentation to VCU’s Global Education Office.

Please see the ECO system tutorial for instructions on how to fill out the form. If you have any questions or need help please contact the export compliance manager at exportctrl@vcu.edu. 

• Protecting export-controlled information - Dec. 2024
• Visual compliance newsletter - July 2024
• Export compliance training - Jan. 2024
• Export compliance and international travel - Sep. 2023
• Restricted party screening and export compliance - June 2023
• Deemed exports - March 2023
• Hosting international visitors - Sep. 2022
• The fundamental research exclusion - July 2022
• Export controls and academic research - April 2022

• Undue foreign influence module