Useful Guidance

Latest Addition:

G7 issues joint guidance: Preventing Evasion of Export Controls and Sanctions Imposed on Russia

FCDO

This joint guidance document contains:

  • a list of items which pose a heightened risk of being diverted to Russia
  • updated red flag indicators of potential export control and sanctions evasion
  • best practices for industry to address these red flags
  • screening tools and resources to assist with due diligence

Visit the UK sanctions relating to Russia page for more detailed information on the Russia sanctions regime.

GUIDANCE

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ECJU: Notices to Exporters (NTEs)

Members wishing to re-register for NTEs can do so at:

The details of all NTEs which have been released are available at:

The following NTEs are listed as having been issued:

Notices to exporters 2024

Members are strongly advised always to periodically check the NTEs website to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest developments and have not inadvertently missed an NTE that has been issued.

You can find:

Older NTEs:

Also, regular checks of the ECJU website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/export-control-joint-unit) can bring to light other interesting documents that have been issued, such as the Interception and monitoring prohibitions in sanctions: technical guidance which was issued on 17th October 2023(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/interception-and-monitoring-prohibitions-in-sanctions-technical-guidance), which might have otherwise been missed.

USEFUL GUIDANCE

The Export Support Service is a new government helpline and online service where all UK businesses can get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe. It gives access to cross government information and support all in one place.

If you are a UK business you can use this free service, no matter the size of your business or in which part of the UK you are based. DIT will continue to work with businesses and business representative groups from all sectors, in all parts of the UK, to help make the service as useful as possible for businesses.

You can access the Export Support Service at GOV.UK/ask-export-support-team or by calling 0300 303 8955 where you will be put in touch with a member of our dedicated export support team.

For questions about trading with Ukraine, Russia or Belarus you can access the dedicated online service or call 0300 303 8955.

Published 08 Jan 2021

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-202101-changes-to-export-control-legislation-and-licensing/nte-202101-changes-to-export-control-legislation-and-licensing 

Introduction

GOV.UK guidance on export controls was updated on 31 December 2020 to reflect the end of the EU transition period.

To see the latest guides visit Export Control Joint Unit homepage.

Key changes to export licensing for EU countries

To find out more about:

  • exporting dual-use items
  • exporting firearms
  • exporting civil nuclear material
  • trade sanctions
  • exporting military items

Visit the guidance on exporting controlled goods.

Also read our guides on:

Contact ECJU

Helpline

Export Control Joint Unit
2nd floor
3 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2AW

Email exportcontrol.help@trade.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7215 4594

Contact for general queries about strategic export licensing.

https://ec.europa.eu/trade/import-and-export-rules/export-from-eu/dual-use-controls/

Dual-use items are https://ec.europa.eu/trade/import-and-export-rules/export-from-eu/dual-use-controls/goods, software and technology that can be used for both civilian and military applications. The EU controls the export, transit and brokering of dual-use items so the EU can contribute to international peace and security and prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

  • UN Security Council Resolution 1540
  • The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  • the Chemical Weapons Convention
  • the Biological Weapons Convention

EU export controls reflect commitments agreed upon in key multilateral export control regimes such as the Australia Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime…continue reading

Published 10 July 2020
From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Government Digital Service, Department for International Trade, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Marine Management Organisation, Environment Agency, Export Control Joint Unit, and Animal and Plant Health AgencyLicences, certificates and special rules for taking goods out of the UK from 1 January 2021.You’ll need to get a licence or certificate to export some types of goods from the UK.

Animals, plants, food and agricultural products

live animals and animal products

live animals, semen and embryos under the Balai Directive

fish for human consumption

live fish and shellfish for aquaculture and ornamental purposes

endangered plant and animal species, and products made from them

plants and plant products

wood packaging

timber

Chemicals and waste

ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated gas (F-gas)

nuclear-related items

waste

Controlled goods

controlled goods – these include military items, dual-use items (items with both civil and military uses), firearms, and items that can be used for torture or capital punishment

Diamonds

diamonds

Sanctions

There are different types of sanctions for trade, transport, finance and immigration.

Check if the goods you’re exporting will be controlled by UK sanctions from 1 January 2021. You may also not be allowed to export your goods to someone who is subject to financial sanctions.

Please find below a number of useful updates from ECJU which explain the current situation with export control operations.

All first line enquiries should be sign posted to the Export Control Joint Unit Home Page which contains the links and resources needed to understand control lists, controls themselves, sanctions and how to apply for licences.

All NTE’s are published on the collection page on GOV.UK  and there is  a link to signing up if you wish to receive e-mail alerts. ECJU are planning a webinar for industry to explain the implications of these NTE’s.

For enquiries about Open General Licences and the reasons why ECJU removed Saudi Arabia, the Coalition Partners and Türkiye from some of these, you may wish listen to the recording of a webinar from 16 March. For some reason this recording opens on slide 15 – just scroll back.

Three open general licences relating to Iraq, maritime anti-piracy and export of military goods after exhibition or demonstration have been updated. Read more about this important news in Notice to Exporters 2019/08.

For general export control queries please contact our Helpline on 020 7215 4594 or exportcontrol.help@trade.gov.uk

Business Awareness Unit  Export Control Joint Unit

https://www.britishexportcontrol.co.uk/

British Export Control [BEC] is a cadre of ex UK Govt. and EU export control experts, now supporting Governments and businesses throughout the world. ​We provide a range of bespoke training , support and guidance to all levels of business from one man concerns, large scale manufacturers, Financial institutions and Governments. Further Information >>

Following a query, on behalf of a Member Company, it has been confirmed to EGADD by the UK Ministry of Defence that the ONLY people who are authorised to issue Crown Exemption/Immunity letters to companies to move items on the UK Government’s behalf, are the UK MoD staff who are embedded within the Export Control Joint Unit. No other letters, from any other sources, can or should be relied upon, as we are aware of a number of instances in which companies, who have done so, have been found to be in breach of the regulations. The current information (at the time of writing) on this on the GOV.UK website was not up-to-date, and its guidance was wrong, and should NOT be relied upon. It must also be noted that Crown Immunity does not cascade down through the supply chain, despite comments to the contrary.

If any companies need any further clarification on this issue, they should contact: Brinley.Salzmann@adsgroup.org.uk.

Please refer to ‘Exporting military or dual-use technology: definitions and scope’ for guidance on the oversea storage and transfer of electronic information

The US Department of State (DoS) has issued a final rule amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) to include a new licence exemption for transfers of Defence articles to Dual National or Third Country National (DTCN) employees of foreign end-users. The new rule came into force on 15 August 2011 and eliminates the need to obtain prior approval from DoS for the transfers of unclassified Defence articles (including unclassified technical data) to DTCN employees of foreign business entities, foreign government entities, or international organisations that are approved end-users or consignees (including approved sub-licensees) for such Defence articles.

The goods (describe goods) exported by (name UK exporter) are for use by xxxxx for (describe purpose) and will not be re-exported, either in the form received or after incorporation, to a destination other than in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland (Republic of), Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA except they may be re-exported for end-use by the Government of:

Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland

The goods will not be re-exported to any customs free zone. The goods will NOT be put to any of the following uses:

(a) use, other than permitted WMD use, in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, or other nuclear explosive devices or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles capable of delivering such weapons;

(b) use that would be inconsistent with the terms of a UN, OSCE or EU arms embargo or any other arms embargo observed by the UK;

(c) incorporation in goods or technology that are to be exported, re-exported or transferred to a person or entity in a destination other than one specified in Schedule 2 ;

(d) re-export or transfer of goods in Schedule 1 Part A to a person or entity in a destination other than one specified in Schedule 2 ; or

(e) export or transfer of goods in Schedule 1 Part B other than where the ultimate end-user is to a Government or NATO Headquarters in a destination specified in Schedule 2.

Reference to Schedule 2 means Schedule 2 in the OGEL Military Goods issued and as, from time to time, amended by the UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

[Page updated – 18 Oct 2024]