Export Control

It is the Policy of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) that all faculty, staff, students, and other persons working at the University conduct their business in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, and consistently follow the highest standards for research integrity and ethics.
The University is committed to complying with all U.S. export control laws and regulations that apply to its activities, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations. All individuals working at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) who work with, or have access to, export controlled technical data, information, materials, and equipment are required to be familiar with and fulfill the requirements of the U.S. export control laws and regulations.

The Shipment and Export of Controlled Physical Items:

Controlled physical items such as scientific equipment, shipment and utilization of equipment, technology or other export controlled items, from the United States to a foreign national or foreign country could possibly require an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce depending on the item, destination, recipient, and end-use. To determine if the shipment needs a license, start by using the International Shipping Export Control License Worksheet and submit it to exportcontrol@uccs.edu.

Mail and Shipping Services is here to serve the shipping needs of all Departments at UCCS, as long as all required information is provided. The U.S. Post Office, UPS and Federal Express are the preferred providers for sending packages to foreign addresses. Questions related to the following information can be sent to Jerry Beyer at the Mail and Shipping Services office via email gbeyer@uccs.edu.

The following size limitations apply for these packages:

  • The U.S. Postal Service limits the size of packages to between 60 and 70 pounds (depending on the country) and 84" total length + girth (depending on the country).
  • The size limit of Federal Express and UPS packages is 150 pounds and 165" length + girth. The following information is required in order to ship packages:

The following information is required in order to ship packages:

  • For shipments under $2500
    • List of contents - include product descriptions and model numbers where possible.
    • Quantity of contents.
    • Declared value of each item and total value of shipment.
    • Reason for export (i.e. - for repair and warranty work, return to manufacturer, or export for research to be returned). Such descriptions may lessen or eliminate import duties or taxes.
    • Insurance value, if requested.
  • For shipments with a single item valued over $2500, include all the information listed above as well as the following:
    • Supply any special export license information for protected exports (Contact OSPRI for export license help).
    • List export codes for each item. Export codes can be found at the U.S. Census Bureau's Schedule B website.

Our office is happy to provide guidance to departments, faculty, and staff on the following items:

  • Work with a freight forwarder to pay the freight to ship items.
  • Advise on or determine customs duties, tariffs, or international taxes.
  • Advise on import documentation matters.
  • Resolve international customs shipment issues not related to export compliance (e.g., shipment impounded not for export control reasons).

The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity (OSPRI) can help you be certain your export is in compliance with export and sanction laws. OSPRI will be happy to provide the following services related to International shipments:

  • Commodity jurisdiction and classifications (note only OSPRI can apply for these items).
  • Export license preparation and submission (note only OSPRI can apply for a license).
  • Obtain Export Control Commodity Numbers (ECCN) or United States Munitions List (USML) Category.

OSPRI is happy to help review any export control questions. Please contact Mike Sanderson at 719-255-3044 or exportcontrol@uccs.edu. to talk about export controls and shipping.

International Shipping Best Practices:

  • Review the International Shipping Export Control License Review Worksheet.
  • Review Top Eight Items to Consider When Shipping Internationally document.
  • International shipping is subject to export and import controls, duties, taxes and regulations of 196 different countries. Every export from the U.S. is an import somewhere else - all shipments go through customs in the destination country.
  • Shipping to foreign countries incorrectly can result in fines, payment of unnecessary taxes, confiscation, or incarceration. Some items, as well as some software and information, are subject to U.S. Export Controls. The impact of these controls on a particular shipment depends on the item, the country it's being shipped to, the entity or individual who will receive it, and the use to which it will be put.
    • All documents produced in conjunction with an international shipment must be 100% accurate. Even small discrepancies can lead to large fines, confiscations, and delays.
  • All parties to a shipment should be screened to ensure they are not on any U.S. government restricted or denied party lists.
  • Even though a shipping company is moving the package to its ultimate destination, UCCS is ultimately responsible for all compliance issues.
  • Some items are hazardous, and may need to be packaged and labeled appropriately:
    • Biologicals
    • Chemicals
    • Batteries and fuel cells
    • Radioactive material, etc.

If you are shipping any of the items listed above, please contact the Hazardous Material Specialist Cynthia Norton via email cnorton@uccs.edu. If you are shipping any of the items listed above, please contact the Hazardous Material Specialist Cynthia Norton via email cnorton@uccs.edu.

Document Links:

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