Reunion

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Reunion, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2. 

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Reunion, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The United States does not have a tax treaty with Reunion. For more information about double taxation issues, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance. 

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122.

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.   

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations.

Personal Safety

REUNION AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) AS OF OCTOBER 18. OFFICIALS PLACED THE TERRITORY UNDER A RENEWED STATE OF HEALTH EMERGENCY OCTOBER 17. NEW MEASURES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED, AND OTHER EXISTING RESTRICTIONS EXTENDED. FACEMASKS ARE COMPULSORY FOR PERSONS OVER 11 YEARS OLD IN MANY PUBLIC AREAS AND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. BOARD RESTRICTIONS ON NONESSENTIALS TRAVEL TO REUNION FROM AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)  AND SEVERAL NON-EU EUROPEAN  STATES REMAIN IN PLACE. PERSONS OLDER THAN 11 YEARS OF AGE ARRIVING IN THE TERRITORY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST RECEIVED NO MORE THAN 72 HOURS BEFORE BOARDING. THERE IS NO QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS.  PERSONS APPROVED FOR TRAVEL FROM LOCATONS WITHIN THE INDIAN OCEAN MAY BE SUBJECT TO SEVEN DAYS OF SELF QUARANTINE. AUTHORITIES COULD REIMPOSE, EXTEND, EASE OR OTHERWISE AMEND ANY RESTRICTIONS WITH LITTLE TO NO NOTICE DEPENDING ON DISEASE ACTIVITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Reunion on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic

The geopolitical threat in Reunion is low. The most populous of France's five overseas departments, with over 840,000 inhabitants, the territory has a history of stability, and there are few significant challenges to the status quo. The majority of citizens favor continued union with France, for cultural reasons and economic dependence.

The capabilities and responsiveness of security services in Reunion are generally adequate (threat is low). Although Reunion has different security forces, the national police are likely to be the most relevant for foreign nationals and local staff. Police officers are typically able to speak French. Foreign nationals may contact security services when needed.

Civil Unrest generally poses a low threat in Reunion. Protests rarely occur in Reunion and seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to economic conditions. Protests are most common in Saint-Denis, Le Port, and Saint-Benoit and occasionally cause minor transportation delays.

Legal/Political

Visitors to Reunion are subject to local laws, which may not mirror, either in whole or in part, those of their home country. Those deemed to be in violation, even unknowingly, may be fined, detained, imprisoned, or temporarily or permanently expelled. Those convicted of possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal narcotics could face heavy fines or imprisonment. Home-country consular officers are typically systematically informed of a detention and are permitted to provide support services at the request of their detained citizens. When there is no treaty in force, notification and access depend on whether the two countries have direct or indirect diplomatic relations. Consular officers cannot interfere with local judicial proceedings, nor provide legal advice or representation at trial, and are unable to pay legal fees or fines with government funds. The status of dual nationals will be determined by local officials, with all attendant ramifications for access and support.