Import and export licences

Licences are needed for import and export of

military and paramilitary goods, dual-use and technology,
artworks, plants and animals, medicines and chemicals.

There are controls on exports of military or

paramilitary goods, technology, artworks, plants and
animals, medicines and chemicals. Licence requirements
may depend on the potential use of the item – e.g. if it has a
military application (usually referred to as dual-use
goods) and where you are exporting to.

There are also controls on imports including

firearms, plants and animals, foods, medicines, textiles and
chemicals. Whether you need a licence can also depend on
where the goods are coming from.

Exporting or importing controlled goods without the

right licence is a criminal offence, so it’s important to
check first.
 The following licences are available for strategic
controlled goods:

Open General Licence (OGL)

An OGL allows the export of specific goods by any
exporter to a range of destinations. Open licences may be
available for less restricted controlled items. You must
register for these licences and adhere to all terms and
conditions. If exporter cannot fulfill all the terms and
conditions he will need to apply for a Standard Individual
Export Licence.

Standard Individual Export Licence

An SIEL allows the export of a quantity of specified
goods to a specified importer as set out in the licence.
Open Individual Export Licence
This is specific to an individual exporter and allows
multiple shipments of specified goods to specified
destinations. It is a concessionary form of licence
available to exporters with a track record in export
licence applications only.

SPIRE is the Export Control Organization's online

database for processing licence applications. You must
use it to apply for any of the licences processed by the
Export Control Organization within BIS.

Importers must be registered firearms dealers and

have the appropriate licence from BIS to accompany
firearms and ammunition.
Do the Exporter need a Licence?
Whether or not the exporter need an export licence
for your goods will be determined by 4 factors, the:
1. nature of the goods due to be exported
2. destination concerned
3. ultimate end use of the goods
4. licensability of trade activities

Nature of goods
The following checklist outlines the broad
categories of goods which are likely to be controlled:
- most items that have been specially designed or
modified for military use and their components
- dual-use items - those that can be used for civil or
military purposes - which meet certain specified technical
standards and some of their components
 - associated technology and software
- goods that might be used for torture
- radioactive sources

Destinations
If exporter items are on the UK Military List or are
more sensitive items on the EU Dual-Use List (i.e. on
Annex IV of the EU Dual-Use Regulation), then he will
need a licence for all destinations - including EU
countries.

End-use/’catch all’
If exporter goods are not listed on the UK Strategic
Export Control Lists, you may still need a licence under
End-Use Controls.
Licensable trade activities
The exporter may also need a licence if he has
arranging or involved in the transfer of goods between two
overseas countries. This is known as ‘trafficking and
brokering’ (trade controls).

Common Import/Export Documents

There are many documents involved in international
trade, such as commercial documents, financial
documents, transport documents, insurance documents
and other international trade related documents. In
processing the export consignment, documentation may be
executed in up to four contracts: the export sales contract,
the contract of carriage, the contract of finance and the
contract of cargo insurance. It is therefore important to
understand the role of each document and their
requirements in the international trade.
A. Commercial Documents
Document Prepared by
Quotation Exporter
Sales Contract Exporter and Importer
Pro Forma Invoice Exporter
Commercial Invoice Exporter
Packing List Exporter
Inspection Certificate Inspection Company or Exporter

Insurance Policy/ Certificate Insurer or Insurance Agent or Insurance

Product Testing Certificate
Health Certificate
Phytosanitary Certificate
Fumigation Certificate
Broker
Accredited Laboratories
Exporter / Inspection Authority
Exporter
Exporter or Inspection Company

ATA Carnet Exporter

Consular Invoice Expo
B. Transport Documents
Document Prepared by
Shipping Order S/O Shipper / Transport
companies
Dock Receipt D/R or Mate's Shipping Company
Receipt
Bills of Lading ( B/L) Shipping Company
House Bill of Lading Forwarder
(Groupage)
Sea Waybill Shipping Company
Air Waybill (AWB) Airline
House Air Waybill (HAWB) Forwarding Agent
Shipping Guarantee Importer's Bank / Shipping
Company / Consignee
Packing List (sometimes as Shipper
packing note)
C. Financial Documents

Document Prepared by
Documentary Credit D/C The Issuing Bank upon an
application made by the
Importer
Standby Credit Exporter / Issuing Bank
Collection Instruction Exporter
Bill of Exchange (B/E) or Exporter
Draft
Trust Receipt (T/R) Importer
Promissory Note Importer
D. Government Documents
Document
Certificate of Origin (CO)
Certificate of Origin Generalized
Systems of Preferences (GSP) Form A
Import / Export Declaration
Import / Export Licence
International Import Certificate (IIC)
Delivery Verification Certificate
(DVC)
Landing Certificate
Customs Invoice
Prepared by
Trade and Industry Department
and five Chambers of Commerce
See above
Exporter/ Importer
Trade and Industry Department,
Customs & Excise Department,
etc
Trade and Industry Department
Trade and Industry Department
Census and Statistics Department