The U.S. Government periodically publishes laws, regulations, executive orders, or directives that identify entities, companies or persons that are prohibited or restricted from engaging in specific transactions or activities that may apply to institutions of higher education. Activities such as international travel, research collaboration, providing or receiving services, and/or hosting visitors from entities will require a review by the Export Control Officer prior to engaging in any activities with them. 

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) maintains three lists of parties of concern. In the event an individual or entity is listed, an exporter cannot continue the proposed action without further requirements or authorization. In many cases, the BIS license policy is to deny such requests. 

• Denied Persons List – A list of individuals and entities that have been denied export privileges. Any dealings with a party on this list that would violate the terms of its denial are prohibited. 
• Entity List – Identifies foreign parties that are prohibited from receiving some or all items subject to the EAR unless the exporter secures a license from BIS. 
• Unverified List – A list of parties whose bona fides BIS has been unable to verify. No license exceptions may be used for exports to unverified parties. BIS adds entities to the Unverified List when BIS is unable to verify the entity’s bona fides—the entity’s legitimacy and reliability regarding end use or end user(s) of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Typically, this happens when an end-user check could not be completed satisfactorily for reasons outside the U.S. Government’s control.