Uruguay

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Uruguay, 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 Uruguay, 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 Uruguay. 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. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Uruguay at 70 out of 100 (23rd out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e. relatively clean).  

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.

Articles

The US State Department page for information on URUGUAY may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN URUGUAY ARE LIKELY TO MAINTAIN ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR MOST NONRESIDENT FOREIGN TRAVELERS THROUGH AT LEAST NOVEMBER, AS PART OF THE NATION'S CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) RESPONSE PLAN. ALL ARRIVING PASSENGERS MUST PRESENT A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST TAKEN WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ARRIVAL. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE COUNTRY MUST COMPLETE A SEVEN DAY SELF QUARANTINE.  IF THE TRAVELER IS STAYING IN THE COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS, THE TRAVELER WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ANOTHER COVID-19 TEST ON THE SEVENTH DAY OR TO COMPLETE AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN DAYS OF SELF QUARANTINE. AUTHORITIES COULD REIMPOSE, EXTEND, FURTHER EASE OR OTHERWISE AMEND ANY RESTRICTIONS WITH LITTLE TO NO NOTICE DEPENDING ON LOCAL DISEASE ACTIVITY. HIGHLY TARGETED LOCALIZED MEASURES COULD BE ENFORCED IN SOME AREAS ASSESSED TO BE HIGH RISK, PARTICULARLY IN BORDER AREAS SUCH AS RIVERA. 

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 Uruguay 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.    

Geopolitical threat is considered low for Uruguay. The country is considered a stable democracy. Uruguay is a representative democratic republic, with a presidential system. The president, who is the head of both state and government, has full executive power. Uruguay has a bicameral General Assembly with a Senate (upper house) and Chamber of Deputies (lower house). The judiciary is independent.  

President Tabare Vazquez of the ruling center-left Frente Amplio or Broad Front (since 2015) coalition, is head of state and government. Elections, held every five years, have been largely peaceful in recent times and have concluded without major incident. The primary opposition in the Chamber of Deputies is the conservative right-wing National Party. Uruguay has no pressing social, economic or political concerns, nor is it in major dispute with any of its neighbors.

Crime generally poses a moderate threat in Uruguay. Criminal activity is most prevalent in urban areas, especially parts of Montevideo.  

Nonviolent crime poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff, and is concentrated in Montevideo and tourist areas. Petty street crimes are also common in towns near the border with Brazil. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Thieves operate on foot or on motorcycles. Most crime involving foreigners occurs at tourist attractions, shopping centers, public transportation hubs, and areas near hotels. Do not hang bags or clothing over chair backs. Secure them at your feet or in your lap. Punta del Este is a beach town, and special precautions should be taken to secure personal belongings. Thefts increase dramatically during the summer months (November-February), when tourists flock there. Criminals are sometimes armed and could violence against those who resist a robbery.  Scams pose a low threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff in Uruguay.

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Uruguay is very low compared to other South American countries; foreign nationals are rarely targeted by criminals. However, carjacking, robbery, and assault still pose a threat in Montevideo. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or using ATMs on the street; instead, use ATMs located inside a hotel, as people have been attacked after leaving banks. Local bus stations are often hotbeds of criminal activity. 

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a low threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff in Uruguay. Verbal and sexual harassment affect locals more than foreigners and expatriates. Women walking alone are sometimes verbally harassed; the threat of a physical attack is much lower than a verbal one, but assault cannot be ruled out, especially at night and in isolated areas.  

Anti-LGBTQ violence does not systemically occur in Uruguay; same-sex couples are widely accepted, especially in larger cities.  

Organized crime does not usually affect foreign nationals or expatriates in Uruguay. Street gangs are present in Montevideo; however, there are few examples of organized crime groups in Uruguay compared to other South American countries.  

Highway robbery and banditry pose a low threat in Uruguay. The threat is highest in urban areas, along intercity highways, and near the Brazilian border. Criminals may target cargo trucks and private vehicles. These incidents can occur at any hour of the day; however, most robberies take place at night.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: While in Uruguay you are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

Customs Requirements: Uruguay's Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation or exportation of certain items. These include precious jewels, gold, firearms, pornography, inflammable articles, acids, prohibited drugs, plants, seeds, and foodstuffs as well as antiquities and business equipment. Uruguayan Customs also prohibits the importation of subversive materials aimed at overthrowing the government or promoting anarchy, genocide, or other globally condemned practices. Contact the Embassy of Uruguay in Washington, D.C., or one of Uruguay's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Tourists are permitted to import personal effects, including jewelry, cameras, computers, sporting goods, etc., free of duty or taxes. Travelers bringing commercial goods into Uruguay must declare them to customs officers at the port of entry or face possible detention or seizure of the goods and criminal charges. 

Marijuana Policy: Recent changes in legislation allow Uruguayan citizens and permanent residents of Uruguay to purchase limited amounts of marijuana at government-approved pharmacies, join a registered marijuana club, or grow a limited amount of marijuana for personal use. Please note it remains illegal for tourists and other foreign visitors in Uruguay to purchase and consume marijuana. Anyone who purchases or consumes marijuana, and who does not fit into a legal category of use, may be arrested and prosecuted under Uruguayan law.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on adult, same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Uruguay.