Saudi Arabia

If you intend to do any of the following in Saudi Arabia, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)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(link is external), 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(link is external).  Go here(link is external) for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Cuba, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office(link is external) 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 Saudi Arabia. For more information about double taxation issues, contact the Controller’s Office at:

• gao@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail) or 642-0031 for tax advising and unrelated business income tax coordination, or
• payhelp@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail) or 642-1336 for foreign tax form processing

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(link is external) (FinCen Report 114(link is external)). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail) 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(link is external)(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(link is external)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.(link is external) If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs(link is external) at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Saudi Arabia at 49 out of 100 (58th out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e. somewhat corrupt).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce(link is external) 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(link is external) 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(link is external) 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(link sends e-mail) or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group(link is external) 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(link sends e-mail)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.