Export control

Export controls can apply to the digital or physical export of any goods, data, technology, documents, materials or software from a destination within the UK to a destination outside the UK. Export controls are needed for a variety of reasons, including national security and international treaty obligations. In the UK, the control of strategic goods and technology is undertaken by the Export Control Joint Unit. 

Export control rules do not just apply to commercial export but to all kinds of academic activity, including teaching and research. This can extend to academic fieldwork, virtual teaching to students abroad, and presentation at international conferences. The Research Compliance Team will assess whether the activity will require an export licence, and if so, manage this on your behalf. Licences do not attract a fee; however, applications need to be submitted to the regulator (the Export Control Joint Unit), who can take anything between 30-60 days to respond. There are other mechanisms available to assess risk or secure clearance. We advise contacting the Research Compliance team as soon as possible so that they can provide advice early on. 

If you have any queries in relation to export control and the University’s policy, please contact Chaitali Desai, Head of Research Compliance (Solicitor). You can also contact the team by emailing research-compliance@bristol.ac.uk.

The University policy

The University Executive Board has approved an Export Control Policy (PDF, 1,770kB)‌. It is important that any staff involved in export activity that may be subject to export control read the policy.

Associated documents 

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Useful links