International Travel
International travel can be a valuable component for collaboration in education and research. The first step for any UMBC related international travel is work with UMBC’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE). CGE can help facilitate international travel for faculty and students and assist with navigating international travel policies. Center for Global Engagement – UMBC
Prior to traveling abroad, the traveler should also be familiar with relevant U.S. export controls, as well as applicable regulations in the country or countries they are visiting. The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of travel advisories for U.S. travelers visiting foreign countries, which in some instances may contain information regarding export laws and prohibitions on various technology in the country they intend to visit.
Travelers should be aware that some countries place restrictions on technology commonly used in the United States that does not have corresponding laws here. These technologies can include, but are not limited to:
- Encryption and encrypted storage devices
- VPNs (Note: UMBC does use Duo to validate connects to our IT systems. Duo does use encryption)
- Cybersecurity and networking tools
- Satellite phones
- GPS receivers and mapping tools
- Messaging and social media apps
- Drones
- Lithium-ion batteries
Another category of commonly U.S. legal but banned abroad items include but are not limited to:
- Certain prescription and some common over the counter medications
- THC/CBD products
- Certain U.S. food products, especially fruits, vegetables and seeds
Give the vast number of foreign countries, OPRC cannot provide specific guidance on laws and regulations for specific countries. We would encourage to work with CGE, who can direct you the respective U.S. embassy or consulate in that country if you have questions about foreign laws and regulations.
Export control regulations may come into play when:
- Taking items with you when you travel, such as
- Laptops
- Scientific instrumentation for field research
- Biological samples
- Encryption products (hardware and software) – which may be regarded as illegal in certain countries
- Research data and technology
- Unpublished research
- Blueprints, drawings, schematics, prototypes
- Travel to embargoes countries, regardless of the purpose
- Interacting with sanctioned or 1286 List entities
- Providing a Defense Service to a foreign person
Travelers need to be aware that information that you will present or discuss or any proprietary, unpublished, or export-restricted data or information as may constitute an unauthorized export items. Because you, as an individual, and UMBC can be held liable for improperly transferring controlled items or technology, it is important that you review the federal requirements. If you have questions please contact OPRC beforehand. Most travel outside of the U.S for conferences will fall under an exclusion to the export control regulations and does not require a license when the sole purpose of the meeting is to present research findings that have been or are intended to be published, provided they do not concern detailed information regarding controlled items or technologies (information and items subject to Export Controls).
Before you travel, verify your technology or information you are taking with you falls into one or more of the following categories prior to travelling:
- Research which qualifies for the fundamental research exclusion
- Published information
- Publicly available software
- Educational information
- Patent applications
The US Department of State provides detailed information regarding any International Travel Information including warnings, country specific information, travel alerts, and general tips for traveling abroad. The Department of State also provides travel advisories for all foreign countries and it high encouraged that travelers review any travel advisors for countries on their itinerary prior to departure, Travel Advisories. It is also recommended to enroll in The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. STEP provides travelers with information from the destination country embassy about safety conditions, help making informed decisions about travel plans, and provide U.S. Embassy contacts information about the traveler in the event of an emergency, natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency, and help family and friends get in touch with persons in an emergency.
Traveling with UMBC owned equipment and personal items
The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control maintains economic and trade sanctions on countries or regions to accomplish foreign policy and national security goals. If you will be taking a UMBC laptop or other common electronic devices to a foreign country, please ensure that there is no encryption source code, export controlled data, proprietary information or intellectual property) on your device. Generally, as long as you retain your devices under your personal custody and effective control for the duration of your travel, do not intend to keep these items in these countries for longer than 1 year, and are not traveling to the embargoed nations of Cuba, Iran or North Korea, no government export license is required.
Any physical materials, electronic devices, research or technical data in your possession is considered by US regulations to have been “exported” from the US to your final destination and any intermediate destinations. There are exemptions from export licensing available for travelers carrying both university-owned equipment (“TMP”) and personal items (“BAG”). These exemptions are intended to cover commercially available computer equipment and other electronic devices used in business or general science applications. These exemptions DO NOT cover technology designed for a military application (ITAR materials).
The TMP and BAG exemption have limitations that travelers need to understand:
- Travel to Iran, Cuba, and North Korea is not eligible for these exemptions
- Length of trip is limited to 12 months; a license may be required for longer periods
- Items must remain under “effective control” of the traveler at all times, meaning keeping your laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, data storage devices and encrypted software under your personal custody and effective control for the duration of your travel. Keeping a secured in a place such as a hotel safe
- These exemptions do not cover any hardware controlled under the United States Munitions List (USML) and high-tech encryption products (generally over 64 bit)
- Travelers cannot possess “controlled technical data” defined as “data required for the design, fabrication, operation, or maintenance of military or dual-use technology, and, not in the public domain or otherwise exempt from licensing requirements”.
(information courtesy of Adam Grant, UMCP Export Controls Office)
The ORPC recommends travelers obtain departmental authorization using the UMBC Off Campus Equipment Loan Form while making travel arrangements. Additionally, travelers planning to take research data out of the country should review the Office of Sponsored Programs Data Use Agreements webpage for information about how this agreement will assist with the transport and sharing of data with international collaborators.
Tools of the Trade Traveler Certification Letter
The ORPC has created a “Tools of the Trade” Traveler Certification Letter for international travelers carrying university-owned equipment or research data to confirm and certify that they meet the requirements of the exemption. The letter serves as a document that can be carried with the traveler and shown to US or foreign customs agents in the event that they are questioned about the content of their belongings. These letters are not legally binding with the U.S. government and serve as “comfort levels” which may demonstrate the traveler is aware of export control regulations. These letters have no bearing whatsoever while passing through foreign customs. Please follow the directions to complete and return to the ORPC at researchintegrity@umbc.edu at least five (5) days prior to leaving for your travel.
UMBC DoIT Information Security Travel Tips
Follow the IT Security – DoIT myUMBC page for information technology and security. Valuable travel tips are posted; take time to read these before your next trip.
Researchers frequently need to take other university equipment temporarily outside of the United States for use in university research. Often, but not always, the tools of trade license exception apply. Some equipment (e.g., global positioning systems (GPS), thermal imaging cameras, inertial measurement units, and specialty software), are highly restricted and may require an export license to take with you, even if you hand carry it. If you are taking university equipment other than your laptop computer, PDA, cell phone, data storage device please contact ORPC to determine if an export license or other government approval is required prior to your taking the equipment out of the country.
The Department of the Treasury (OFAC), Department of Commerce (EAR) and Department of State (ITAR) administer economic and trade sanctions and maintain lists of sanctioned programs, entities and countries that restrict transactions and travel, or require licensing in order to travel to a foreign country, or to conduct business with a foreign entity or individual. Before considering travel to embargoed countries to conduct research or educational activities, check first with CGE and ORPC. Please review this webpage for more information.
Bringing items with you into the United States
There are a number of federal regulations regarding bringing on items with you into the United States. This is known as an importation. This applies to items that have been shipped from abroad, placed in checked luggage or hand carried with you on an aircraft. If you are bringing scientific instrumentation, technical equipment and especially biological samples with you please consult ORPC before your return to determine if any action is required.
It is important to note that there have been researchers who have been detained, arrested and even criminally charged attempting to bring in certain biological samples and/or hazardous material with them. It is also very important to properly declare any such materials to U.S. customs authorities, failure to do so may constitute a federal crime.
Last updated 10/6/2026