@Leaflabs folks - Mouser shows a possible EAR notice in pages related to the STM32F103 microprocessors. Is an export license required for products made with this micro? For example, if a hobbyist creates a robotic pcb design containing an STM32F103 to be used with Maple IDE, are there caveats to offering the product in an online store? Must it only be sold in the USA? I'm not trying to stir the pot...I'm hoping that one of you has possibly already looked into this and resolved the issue for the Maple, Mini etc. Thanks!!
EAR, ITAR, Export-Regulations USA, STM32F103
(11 posts) (6 voices)-
StephenFromNYC
ModeratorHello zoofdxp,
I just searched the mouser.com for: EAR
and came up blank.
Can you please, if possible, include direct links to the documentation you mentioned?
Thanks!
Stephen from NYC
Posted 4 years ago # -
StephenFromNYC
ModeratorHello zoofdxp,
I just searched the mouser.com web site for: EAR
and came up blank.
Can you please, if possible, include direct links to the documentation you mentioned?
Thanks!
Stephen from NYC
Posted 4 years ago # -
zoofdxp
MemberHi Stephen, the EAR is a graphic symbol seen when viewing the SMT32F103RBT6 page:
It just says - Shipping Restrictions - EAR - This product may require a license to export from the United States.
I'm hoping the key word 'may' applies in this case. I know the Maple sells in usa, canada, europe so, maybe it isn't an issue. If it does require a license, the Leaflab folks could share in how it's done. I've got some ideas for some projects that could potentially sell worldwide (to those places on the approved friendly countries list), but before I commit to this platform, which I do want to do, I wanted to make sure there isn't a potential unforeseen barrier as far as putting it on a web store and exporting it.
Posted 4 years ago # -
StephenFromNYC
ModeratorHello,
I do not know why my previous question was duplicated.
I am not a lawyer, but I am guessing that end users who want to buy Maples, load customized software into the Maple's nonvolatile memory, before reselling the "modified" boards should also know about the export regulations. Even if LeafLabs can sell blank boards (which are not preloaded with sketches) to addresses in foreign countries it should not be assumed that "modified" boards can also be exported.
Here is a link to a federal government Introduction to Commerce Department Export Controls page.
EARs are Export Administration Regulations.
As pointed out, I could not find "EAR" on the mouser.com web site because EAR appears as a graphic. I did not check if the graphic file uses an "alt" HTML tag.
The link I described above does not say anything specific about microcontrollers, but it seems like a good place to start if you want to (re)sell Maple boards in foreign countries.
Good luck with your reading!
Stephen from NYC
Posted 4 years ago # -
gbulmer
Moderatorzoofdxp - I live in the UK.
When I ordered STM32F103's from Future Electronics I was contacted by Future, and I had to fill in a form and sign it. That was it.I have bought STM32F103's since then without any repeat form-filling because they keep the document on file.
A major issue was whether the parts might be resold (or embedded into a product which itself is resold) to a country not on the 'friendly' list. In my case it was not an issue because I wanted the chips for my own use.
So, I am not a lawyer, but my impression from the conversation with Future is they had a process and documentation to demonstrate that they had taken due diligence to ensure the parts would not leak to countries not on that list.
Posted 4 years ago # -
mbolivar
LeafLabsStephen,
I do not know why my previous question was duplicated.
I don't know why we haven't made you a forum moderator already! We really appreciate your careful stewardship of the forums, and your truly excellent bug reports; there's no reason why you shouldn't be a moderator. That oversight has been corrected; if you like, you can delete the duplicate now ;).
Posted 4 years ago # -
poslathian
LeafLabsWhen we did our first fab run of maple we did run in to some export restrictions on the stm32, but I believe this was digikey being overly cautious rather than the stm32 specifically being regulated. I believe in general high performance processors are regulated in the United States, who would generally prefer technology manufacturers do as little business as possible with certain countries. However, after checking with US customs, we were told we were OK to ship Maple internationally given the volume and costs involved. If you are considering using the stm32 in your own product and you are working in very high volumes, check with the laws of your country. I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, but I would not be concerned if you are reselling kits/products based around Maple internationally as long as you do some due diligence regarding your own country's export laws and perhaps you dont ship to north korea ;)
Posted 4 years ago # -
gbulmer
ModeratorI am not a lawyer, nor qualified to give legal advice.
I found this page explaining some sets of restrictions:
http://export.stanford.edu/country.htmlThere is a list of about 26 countries to worry about including 3 'Comprehensively Embargoed Countries'. This is second-hand information, and may also be out of date, but it gives some links to government web sites which may help.
Posted 4 years ago #
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