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Exporting Technology

Providing controlled technology* to a foreign national* in the United States* or abroad is considered an export to the country of residence of the foreign national*. For example, an export of night vision googles to a foreign country would be the same as sharing design information on night vision googles to a foreign national* of that country.

Other ways to export data without actually sending the information abroad are:

  • Sharing controlled data at a conference anywhere in the world with foreign nationals present
  • Allowing a foreign national* to observe how controlled goods are developed and/or produced
  • Providing instruction to a foreign national* on how a controlled good is “used” (operation, installation, maintenance, and repair)
  • E-mailing controlled data to a foreign national* located in the United States* or abroad
  • Providing information to another person with the intention that the data or technology will be shared abroad or with a foreign national* whether in the United States* or not.


An export occurs with "the release*" of controlled technology* to a foreign national*. "'Release' is defined as:
  • Visual inspection by foreign nationals
  • Oral exchanges of information in the United States* or abroad
  • Applying personal knowledge or technical experience acquired in the United States* while abroad

Technology is defined as specific information necessary for the ‘development’, ‘production’, or ‘use’ of a product. The information takes the form of “technical data” or “technical assistance.”

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