Restrictions on the Import of Cryptography
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Since the Second World War, a number of countries have attempted to restrict the import of cryptography tools.
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[edit] Countries that restrict the import of cryptography, or for which status is unknown
The following states are from the GLIC and EPIC reports on Cryptography and Liberty from 1998 and 2000. These used a Green/Yellow/Red system, plus "unknown" to indicate the level of restriction, with green meaning no restriction. For further details see the report for the appropriate year (indicated in the updated column).
Countries where there are no current restrictions on importing cryptographic tools are not listed for the sake of brevity. There may be restrictions on the use of cryptography in countries not listed here, but regulations on import do not exist.
| Country | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | Unknown | 2000 |
| Armenia | Green/Yellow | 2000 |
| Bahrain | Unknown | 2000 |
| Belarus | Red | 2000 |
| Brunei Darussalam | Yellow/Red | 2000 |
| Cambodia | Unknown | 2000 |
| China | Red | 2000 |
| Ghana | Green/Yellow | 2000 |
| Hungary | Green/Yellow | 2000 |
| India | Yellow/Red | 2000 |
| Iran | Red | 2000 |
| Iraq | Red | 2000 |
| Israel | Yellow | 2000 |
| Khazakstan | Red | 2000 |
| Malta | Yellow | 2000 |
| Moldova | Unknown | 2000 |
| Mongolia | Red | 2000 |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Red | 2000 |
| Nepal | Unknown | 2000 |
| Nicaragua | Unknown | 2000 |
| Pakistan | Red | 2000 |
| Poland | Green/Yellow | 2000 |
| Russia | Red | 2000 |
| Saudia Arabia | Yellow/Unknown | 2000 |
| Tatarstan | Unknown | 2000 |
| Tunisia | Red | 2000 |
| Turkmenistan | Red | 2000 |
| Ukraine | Yellow | 2000 |
| Uzbekistan | Red | 2000 |
| Vietnam | Red | 2000 |
[edit] Note on using this list
The reports this list is currently based on did not cover every country in the world. Notable exclusion are Ethiopia and Eritrea, both of which may have restrictions on the import and use of cryptography. This list should not be used as the only point of reference when visiting a foreign country with encryption technology. Check with the appropriate embassy before carrying encryption software and hardware into a foreign country. Some countries consider encryption software and hardware to be tools of warfare!
