When you leave the United States, everything you take with you is an export, including devices, software, and data. Most items are subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  

• Personal items: clothes, toiletries, articles of adornment, medicine, their containers, etc.
• Personal electronic devices: laptop, tablet, PDA, flash drive, smartphone and software on them such as Windows, Adobe, etc.
• Information: documents, drawings, data, software and software on laptops
• Tangible research items and materials: Research items, such as equipment, may appear ‘more interesting’ and are more likely to draw attention from Customs or security officials.

What to know:

• Document your items:  Document origin, ownership and value. If you take a personal item of value, completr the U.S. Customs and Border Protection form CBP 4457 (available from the Export Control office) before you depart to avoid duties from being imposed upon your return.  The form must be signed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to departure.
• Device inspection: US Customs officials (and Customs in other countries) are authorized to search and retain electronic devices including digital cameras, cell phones, media players, disk drives and others even without probable cause to look for violations of export controls as well as other laws and regulations. To prepare for this:
  • Don’t carry data you don’t want others to see
  • Don’t carry the only copy of anything you cannot afford to lose
  • Have a Plan B
  • Consider taking a clean laptop furnished by NDSU IT