International Travel

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide you and your team members with guidance from an export compliance perspective, on advisories and preparations that should be made before traveling outside the U.S. to attend a conference or a meeting. This is particularly important if your project contains aspects that are ITAR controlled or are subject to dual-use controls that are prohibited for export to certain countries without an export license.
- International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) - controls military and space application items
- Dual-Use - Items with both a civil and military application
- Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) - controls dual-use Items (Hardware, Software, and Technical data)
- Full glossary found here

Planning Your Trip
Read the institute travel briefing and consult the CIA Factbook and the OFAC Sanctions to understand the requirements, tips, and resources while planning for your trip. Please contact our office to discuss any questions or specific concerns relating to your project or travel destination

Travel Advisory for International Scholars
All members of the Caltech community should be aware that CBP agents have broad authority to search and seize your possessions, including electronic devices, when anyone enters or departs the country. Indeed, CBP does not need a warrant to conduct searches at the border.

What Are You Bringing?
Understand your responsibilities when traveling with electronic devices, presentations/lectures, hardware, software, technical data.

Do You Know the Highest Risk Destinations?
The highest risk countries include, but are not limited to: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Click to learn about all the sanctioned and embargoed countries.

Get More Information
Access the latest U.S. government security warnings and other external resources related to travel.