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See a list of items and services you can't purchase on your Express Card.
Certain items, regardless of their value, may not be purchased with an Express Card. The table below lists these items and provides alternative ways to obtain them.
| Restricted from Express Card | Alternate payment method |
|---|---|
| Goods or services in excess of $4,999 (or less if the authority assigned in your department is less than $4,999) | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. Note: Any attempt to avoid the High Value process by artificially dividing purchases into individual orders less than $4,999 is prohibited and subject to withdrawal of purchase authority. |
| Alcohol, beverages | Refer to Consumption of Alcoholic and/or Malt Beverages. |
| Alcohol, ethyl | See How to Buy Tax-Free Alcohol. |
| Awards | Submit a Payment Authorization online. See also Gifts and Awards. |
| Catering | For an entertainment event, see Entertainment: Allowable Expenses and Occasions. To use UCSD Catering Services, see Recharging UCSD Catering or Faculty Club Expenses. If no entertainment is involved, submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |
| Chartering of boats, buses, planes, shuttles, vans, etc. | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |
| Construction (on-site), including carpet, window coverings, and remodeling | Refer to How to Request Facilities Management Services. |
| Consultant services | Refer to Independent Contractor/ Consultant Guidelines or contact Patrick Little, (858) 534-4439. |
| Controlled substances, regardless of cost | See Ordering Controlled Substances. For information contact Wendy Scott, CS Program Manager, (858) 534-1362, or Sara Stoddard, Purchasing, (858) 534-4438. |
| Copiers, regardless of value | Refer to Imprints' copier guidelines, phone (858) 534-2534, or submit a Copier Equipment Request form (PDF). |
| Equipment repairs on equipment not owned by the University | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |
| Equipment rental or straight lease in excess of $4,999 total rental fee or requiring signed agreement/ terms and conditions | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |
| Equipment (inventorial) | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. Note: All items defined as inventorial equipment must be processed via High Value Purchase Order to ensure proper recording of the asset. |
| Express Order commodities, products and services | Refer to Express Order Overview for an explanation of Express Order vendors and commodities as well as instructions. |
| Fabrications with a purchase value of more than $4,999 | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. See also How to Handle a Fabrication for more information. |
| Firearms, explosives, ammunition | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |
| Flowers | Submit a Payment Authorization online. See also Gifts and Awards: Flowers. |
| Foreign purchases | Foreign purchases that require duty papers or that are shipped FOB Origin. A professional buyer must coordinate these types of purchases. |
| Gasoline or diesel fuel | If mileage was not incurred while on travel status, submit a mileage voucher by using online Payment Authorization. If mileage was incurred while on official travel status, submit a Travel Expense Voucher. Note: The Express Card cannot be used to buy gasoline. Gasoline is reimbursed as mileage, which also includes reimbursement for other related automobile expenses. |
| Gifts and gift certificates | Submit a Payment Authorization online. Refer to Gifts and Awards. |
| Goods or services from any officer or employee of the university or from a near relative of any officer or employee | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. See also Independent Contractor/ Consultant Guidelines for information on employee-vendor relationships. |
| Independent contractor and independent consultant services | Refer to Independent Contractor/ Consultant Guidelines or contact Patrick Little, (858) 534-4439. |
| Meals, travel, or entertainment expenses | Use the Travel Card. See also Travel for contacts and guidelines. |
| Meeting refreshments | See Entertainment |
| Personal purchases | Personal purchases are not allowed under any circumstances. |
| Postage | All purchases of postage from the U.S. Postal Service must be obtained through UCSD Mail Services, (858) 534-1164. |
| Precious metals | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |
| Professional and personal services (independent contractor and independent consultant services) | Refer to Independent Contractor/ Consultant Guidelines or contact Patrick Little, (858) 534-4439. |
| Radioactive materials (regardless of cost) | Placing orders for radioactive materials requires special authorization. Refer to Buying Radioactive Materials or contact Sara Stoddard, (858) 534-4438, for details of these procedures. |
| Real estate rentals or leases | Contact the Real Estate Office at (858) 534-7480. |
| Relocations: household or office moves | Contact Mary Watt, (858) 534-6720. See also Move/ Transfer Expenses for guidelines, authorizations, and contacts. |
| Subcontracts, sub-awards, or agreements involving sponsored projects | Contact Michael Spencer, 822-4392. See also Subcontracts/ Subawards Overview. |
| If a supplier contract is required: DO NOT SIGN A SUPPLIER CONTRACT, including those for maintenance or service agreements. | Only a professional buyer has the delegated authority to sign contracts for the university. If your purchase requires a signed contract, please contact a professional buyer in your area. |
| Temporary staffing | Contact Temporary Employment Services, (858) 534-4604. |
| Vehicle rentals, leases, or purchases | Submit a High Value Purchase Requisition. |