Laptops, PDAs and Equipment
Laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, and data storage devices.
When you travel outside of the United States (except Canada), your university provided laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, data storage devices and encrypted software may require an export license or other government approval to be taken to many countries outside of the United States. The personal computer you take abroad may contain strong encrypted software that requires a government license or other government approval for export to many countries. For example, the new Microsoft Windows VISTA Business suite contains such strong encrypted software, subject to export restrictions. Windows VISTA can be temporarily taken overseas, but only under an export license exception.
Tools of Trade License Exception for Temporary Exports
License exceptions for "Temporary Export" are valid for exports of less than one year and must be renewed annually.
Generally, so long as you (1) retain your laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, data storage devices and encrypted software under your personal custody and control for the duration of your travel; (2) do not intend to keep these items in these countries for longer than 1 year; and (3) you are not traveling to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria, no government export license is required. However, this license exception is not available for equipment, components, or software designed for use in/by/with most satellites or spacecraft. These are regulated under International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and an export license will likely be needed to carry such items outside of the United States.
Temporary exports under the "Tools of Trade" license exception can be:
- Hand carried with you while you travel,
- carried in your luggage or baggage that travels with you, or
- Shipped no more than thirty days prior to your departure, or may be shipped to you at any time while you are outside the country
Annual Certification
Employee TMP/ENC Certification Form
The University is required to document the export (even a temporary export) of its equipment under an export license or license exception. By filling out and signing the Employee Temporary Export Certification, you are requesting to temporarily export your laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, data storage devices and encrypted software, and certifying that you will comply with the terms and conditions specified. This certification is not required if your travel is only to Canada.
Other Equipment
Researchers frequently need to take other university equipment temporarily outside of the United States for use in university research. Often, but not always, the tools of trade license exception applies. Some equipment (e.g., global positioning systems (GPS), thermal imaging cameras, inertial measurement units, and specialty software), are highly restricted and may require an export license to take with you, even if you hand carry it. If you are taking university equipment other than your laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, data storage devices contact OESRC to determine if an export license or other government approval is required prior to your taking the equipment out of the country.
The F/A 18 Super Hornet is an example of a "defense article."