Research Insights
Interested in Travel/Activity in Cuba, Iran, or Other Sanctioned Countries? Plan Ahead.
UGA faculty anticipating travel to sanctioned countries need to plan ahead six months or more to get the necessary approvals, says the UGA Office of Export Control.
UGA faculty anticipating travel to sanctioned countries need to plan ahead six months or more to get the necessary approvals, says the UGA Office of Export Control.
The U.S. government imposes varying degrees of sanctions and embargoes on Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and the Crimea region of Ukraine. Travel to and/or activities within these countries must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Export Control. The review is triggered when the Travel Registry hosted by the Office of International Education is submitted alongside the Accounts Payable Travel Authority. Certain activities in these countries will require permission from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which may take six months or more to receive, so planning ahead is an absolute requirement. Travel to or activities within these countries on behalf of UGA that is not reviewed and approved by the Office of Export Control may result in the rejection of reimbursement claims and/or violation of the regulations.
Iran
There is a complete prohibition on the export (even temporarily) of goods, services, and technology to Iran. Simply attending a conference in Iran is considered by the U.S. government to be a prohibited export of a service requiring permission. This permission may take upwards of six months to receive. Those interested in travel to and activity within Iran must plan accordingly by contacting the Export Compliance Officer or submitting the TA and Travel Registry six or more months in advance. Non-refundable travel charges such as airfare should not be booked until government permission is received.
Cuba
Travel to Cuba is limited to 12 specific General License categories and there is an embargo in place that limits certain, even temporary, exports. Authorized activities include conference attendance, research, and educational activities including study abroad, among others. While specific permission may not be necessary, the Office of Export Control needs to review the proposed travel and activity well ahead of the travel dates to confirm that the activity falls within the General License requirements or in the event that it is required, apply for specific permission from the U.S. government for the activity.
North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Crimea region of Ukraine
Travel to and activity within these countries will also need review and approval from the Office of Export Control. These countries have varying degrees of sanctions and embargo regulations. Sudan and Crimea region of Ukraine are the most heavily sanctioned of the four.
Contact Dan Runge, Export Compliance Officer at drunge@uga.edu or 706.542.4188 with questions.
For more information, visit the Office of Export Control website.
For information regarding travel to these countries, see the Introduction section of the Accounts Payable Travel Policy.