What is Export Control?
Export control laws restrict the export of goods, technology, and data. These laws and regulations (primarily Canadian, but also the United States given international treaties and the global flow of material) act as a barrier to the transfer of sensitive technology and goods to foreign persons or entities that are deemed “unfriendly" to our country or to our way of life. If the goods, technology, or data is controlled, a permit or licence is required in order to export it out of the country. In some cases, export control means an absolute prohibition to exporting to certain countries, organizations, or individuals.
The restriction on exporting goods, technology, or data outside of Canada is based on three criteria:
- The export’s destination: specific people, companies, institutions, or countries may be subject to restrictions.
- The nature of the export: the technical specifications or its potential end use of an export may mean there are export restrictions.
- A combination of both the nature of the export and the destination.
As a researcher…What are my export control responsibilities?
In the course of your research, you may have to ship goods, technology, or data either inside or outside of Canada. Before the shipment, you have a responsibility to verify that the transfer of any goods, technology, or data is permitted.
This also applies to hand-carried data, as well as technology transferred verbally (“deemed export”) in a conference, during a meeting or by other electronic means.
I want to transfer or share goods, technology or data...
In Canada or the U.S.
That is probably ok, but if it relates to "Controlled Goods," there are precautions to be taken. Please review "Controlled Goods"
Outside Canada or the U.S.
You need to verify that:
The person, organisation or country you are shipping to is not "sanctioned." Proceed to next steps
Support for researchers
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jennifer Ranford.