Safety and Security are Your Responsibility
Scientists from several U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories converged on the Barrow Environmental Observatory, 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle to conduct research on a project called the Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE-Arctic).
When you travel abroad for LBNL business or with LBNL property, safety and security must be a primary consideration. It is your responsibility as an LBNL employee to safeguard items and sensitive data under your control while on travel. The U.S. Government controls the export of physical items, or proprietary data, outside of the U.S., or access to these items or data by foreign nationals, no matter the location.
What is an Export?
All physical items, whether shipped, packed in luggage, or hand carried, including proprietary technical data or software in whatever format are exports that may require an export authorization.
All physical or hand carried items are exports that may require an export license or a license exception.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to abide by export control requirements to avoid potential loss of proprietary information or technology. Penalties for export violations range from thousands to millions of dollars per violation.
Contact exportcontrol@lbl.gov for guidance on export license requirements for items you may be hand carrying or shipping abroad.
Some Export Controlled items:
Laptops, Smartphones, PDAs, GPS devices, software (including Windows, Mac, and Linux OS), anything with encryption technology, prototypes, materials, components, hardware, samples, and proprietary information.
If you intend to bring a laptop or other portable electronic device on travel outside of the US, please complete the following checklist.
Does the device contain any of the following:
- Proprietary data
- Data covered under nondisclosure agreements or other confidentiality terms
- Data that is known to be export controlled
- Proprietary software
- Software source or object code
- Software that is known to be export controlled
- Software containing advanced or specially designed cryptography
If you are unsure or answered yes to any of the above, please contact exportcontrol@lbl.gov for review.
Tools, Samples, and Other Laboratory Instruments
If you intend to carry tools, samples, or other laboratory instruments that are EAR controlled, such items may or may not qualify under the Tools of Trade exemption, and therefore require prior classification. The “Tools of Trade” exemption covers temporary exports of “usual and reasonable kinds and quantities” of items for use abroad by the exporter, provided that the items remain under the “effective control” of the exporter and are utilized for a lawful enterprise or undertaking. In addition, this exemption has numerous limitations based on type of technology, destination, and duration of export. Note that this exemption can only be used when all requirements are met. If the item is ITAR controlled, an export license is likely required.
Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and certain regions of Ukraine
Travel to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria is highly regulated and may require an export authorization. There are also export restrictions on Belarus, Russia, and certain regions of Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR), and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR)). Contact exportcontrol@lbl.gov if you plan to travel to one of these countries.
Be Aware Of Any Import Restrictions
Many countries restrict importation of biological, pathogenic or infectious materials, and encrypted software or devices, among others. You may also be responsible for duties or taxes if you don’t have proper documentation when entering customs. Contact travelhelp@lbl.gov for assistance or visit their website for more information.
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