General Updates

Most UCI research activities are excluded from export controls because of a general exception for “fundamental research” under the export control regulations. The Fundamental Research Exclusion (FRE) applies to information resulting from or arising during basic and applied research in science and engineering conducted at an accredited institution of higher education located in the U.S. For this exclusion to apply, the information must be published and shared broadly in the scientific community. The information may not be subject to proprietary or U.S. government publication or access dissemination controls. The FRE only covers fundamental research data and information, not tangible items or services.

All shipments of tangible items, except published or non-technical documents, to a destination outside of the United States, regardless of whether the item is sold, used for research, loaned, donated, or temporarily sent outside of the U.S., require an export controls compliance review prior to shipping to determine if a license is required. International shipments also include items hand-carried or packed in baggage during travel outside of the U.S. To request a review, please submit a Shipment Review Form to the Export Controls Office.

In general, collaborations between university personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not trigger an export control requirement unless they involve any of the following:

• controlled or restricted research
• defense services
• individuals or entities on a Restricted Party List
• individuals or entities from a sanctioned country
• transfer of physical items, technical data, or software

Before engaging in an international collaboration, a screening should be conducted to ensure the collaboration does not include individuals and/or entities appearing on any of the U.S. Government Restricted Party Lists. Without proper authorization such as an export license, the government prohibits U.S. individuals and organizations from collaborating with or providing materials, services, and financial support to these restricted parties.

For more information, please contact the Export Controls Office. 

In response to the U.S. Department of Justice's two business practice indictments against Huawei and its U.S. affiliate Huawei Devices USA, the University of California issued a moratorium that restricts any future engagement with Huawei; calls for the cessation of all pending projects, gifts, purchases, or other engagements; requires locations to wind down existing agreements; and consider risk associated with engagements with Huawei's U.S. subsidiaries.