The Laboratory’s Export Compliance Office provides regulatory review of international shipments for the purpose of determining if an export authorization is required for the commodity or technology being shipped. We do not provide shipping services. If you have questions about shipping procedures (not export authorizations), please direct them to shipping@lbl.gov.
The U.S. export regulations identify controlled technology by publishing control lists:
In order to understand what export restrictions apply you must first determine which regulation(s) may apply. This is called the “export classification” process. Once the export classification is determined for your item, you can proceed to the next step of determining if an export authorization is needed prior to exporting your commodity outside the U.S., or sharing your technology with foreign nationals.
There are two primary methods for obtaining an export classification: obtaining a vendor classification (preferred), or conducting one’s own self-classification.
1. Preferred Method (for Commercial Technology): Vendor Classification
Start by requesting the export control classification from the manufacturer/vendor — typically they have the most knowledge about the technology of the item.
Email the vendor’s sales department as follows:
“We plan on exporting one of your products (insert model name and number here) and I need to determine export licensing requirements. What is the export classification of your product? Please provide the ECCN or USML category.”
Typically, you’ll receive an answer within one or two business days. When you get the classification response, forward the vendor response in an email requesting international shipping clearance to exportcontrol@lbl.gov and include the following information:
- Technical description of each item
- Export classification provided by vendor for each item
- Destination country
Note on Foreign Vendors and Small Businesses:
Most foreign vendors will not be familiar with U.S. export regulations. If you are unable to obtain an ECCN from the foreign vendor then proceed to the secondary method of self-classifying below.
Smaller U.S. businesses may or may not conduct business internationally. However, it is still worth asking the question above in case they do. If they do not, proceed to the secondary method below.
2. Secondary Method: Self-Classification
This involves the scientist, engineer, or researcher with expertise in the applicable technology working in conjunction with the Export Compliance Office to review the applicable export regulations and determine the classification after completion of one of the below questionnaires.
For Biological Items the scientist, engineer, or researcher should complete the Self-Classification Questionnaire for Biological Items and forward it to exportcontrol@lbl.gov for the next steps.
For all other tangible or technical items the scientist, engineer, or researcher should complete the Export Classification Questionnaire for Non-Biological Items and forward it to exportcontrol@lbl.gov for the next steps.
After obtaining the classification, the Export Compliance Office will provide the necessary and additional guidance for the shipment or shipping approval via email.
Licensing Determination
Lab Export Compliance Office will review the information provided in the completed questionnaire to determine if any export authorizations are required prior to shipping. If there are no export control concerns, an email approval will be provided to approve the shipment. If there are export control concerns, the Export Compliance Office will provide additional guidance and the next applicable steps.
Subsequent to receiving Export Control approval, LBNL Shipping will conduct restricted party screening to ensure the recipients of the shipment are not denied entities.