International Shipping
All physical items, such as commodities, equipment, materials, food, medicine, information and software on physical media, portable electronic devices, etc. (collectively, “items”), are subject to export control regulations and may require export licenses and/or other appropriate documentation prior to being shipped or hand-carried abroad.
It is important to understand that everything that crosses the border is an export, even if the item is abroad only temporarily or will be used exclusively for research.
The following Export Control Review Form for International Shipments must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of export and receive approval from the Export Compliance Office before the items leave the country. If there is a need for an export license (e.g., for shipping pathogens and chemicals or shipping to a comprehensively sanctioned destination), it could take several weeks or longer to obtain the license from the Department of Commerce or Department of State. For more information on UNC-Chapel Hill processes for shipping and receiving, please refer to the University Shipping & Receiving Guidebook.
Click here to initiate a Shipment Review Request Form
Electronic Export Information (EEI) Filing
The U.S. export control and foreign trade regulations often require University shippers and travelers to file EEI with the U.S. Census Bureau when shipping or hand-carrying University-owned items internationally. Particularly, EEI fillings are required when shipping or hand-carrying University-owned items (including laptops and smart devices) that fall into one of the two categories:
- The total cash value of the item(s) classified under each individual Schedule B number* is higher than $2,500, or
- The items are destined for China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Russia, or Venezuela, regardless of the shipment’s cash value.
The Schedule B Look-up tool can be used to help you find the appropriate code. For certain commercial items, the vendor/manufacturer may be able to provide this code (either published online or on request).
Please review the EEI Workflow, an additional resource that explains if an EEI is needed, and additional information for EEI filing.