Shipping Items to Foreign Destinations

International shipments of physical items, biological or chemical materials, software, or technical data from Texas Tech University are considered exports and may be subject to U.S. export control regulations—even if the item is low-value, commonly available, or intended for research use.

Why Export Compliance Matters

Shipping items internationally without the proper authorizations or documentation can result in:

• Fines and criminal penalties for individual employees and the university
• Seizure or permanent loss of the exported item or material
• Denial of export privileges or suspension of federal research funding

To mitigate these risks, all international shipments from Texas Tech must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Export and Security Compliance (OESC) prior to shipment.

What Must Be Reviewed?

Before sending an item to a recipient located outside the U.S., OESC will:

• Conduct a Restricted Party Screening (RPS) on the recipient institution and individual
• Review the item, software, or data for potential export restrictions under the EAR, ITAR, or OFAC regulations
• Determine licensing requirements, including eligibility for license exceptions
• Coordinate with federal agencies if a license application is required

What Must You Do?

1. Submit the International Shipping Form
   After initiating a shipment, submit the international shipping request form through MailTech. OESC is automatically alerted once the form is submitted.
2. Allow Adequate Lead Time
   • Submit requests at least 30 days in advance of your desired ship date
   • If a federal license is required, allow up to 90 days for processing and agency review
3. Include Complete and Accurate Information
   Be prepared to provide:
   • A detailed item description (including manufacturer and end use)
   • Final destination and recipient contact details
   • Purpose of shipment (e.g., research collaboration, conference, repair)

Common Export-Controlled Items

• Laboratory instruments or components
• Biological and chemical materials
• Encrypted software or technical manuals
• Research prototypes, devices, or sensors
• Items purchased with federal or defense funding

Even if an item seems low-risk, shipping it internationally without proper authorization could still trigger a violation.

Additional Tips

• Do not rely on standard courier services (FedEx, UPS, DHL) to manage export compliance—they will not perform regulatory screening on your behalf.
• Do not ship to individuals or institutions in embargoed countries (e.g., Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria) without first consulting OESC. Licenses are almost always required for such destinations.
• Document all approvals and communications related to your shipment for audit and compliance purposes.

For support or to begin a shipment review, contact the Office of Export and Security Compliance or visit the MailTech International Shipping page.