Exporting goods, software or technology from the United Kingdom can involve customs requirements, trade sanctions, licensing controls and destination-specific restrictions. The applicable obligations depend on the nature of the item, its destination, the intended end-user and end-use, and the exporter\u2019s position in the transaction.<\/p>\n
Export controls may apply even where an item has a legitimate commercial purpose. Certain products, technical information and software may be controlled because they are capable of military, security or other sensitive use. Exporting a controlled item without the required authorisation can constitute a criminal offence.<\/p>\n
Our London office can assist UK and international businesses, manufacturers, technology companies, investors and other commercial participants with the legal and regulatory aspects of exporting from the UK.<\/p>\n
The legal and regulatory framework<\/u><\/p>\n
UK export regulation consists of several overlapping regimes. Depending on the intended transaction, an exporter may need to consider:<\/p>\n
The UK Strategic Export Control Lists identify military equipment, dual-use items (goods, software or technology capable of both civilian and military use), certain firearms, radioactive sources and security or human-rights-related goods that may require export authorisation depending on the relevant transaction.<\/p>\n
An item that does not appear on a control list may still require a licence because of its destination, intended use or end-user. Particular care is required where there is a risk of use in connection with weapons of mass destruction, military activities, internal repression or sanctioned persons and territories.<\/p>\n
Different arrangements may apply to exports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Sanctions legislation can apply throughout the UK, while Northern Ireland remains subject to particular EU-derived export-control requirements in certain areas.<\/p>\n
The export-compliance process<\/u><\/p>\n
A legal and regulatory review will generally involve:<\/p>\n
Available authorisations may include Open General Export Licences (OGELs), Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs). The appropriate option depends on the goods, destinations, end-users and frequency of transactions. Use of an open licence remains subject to eligibility, registration, reporting and record-keeping conditions.<\/p>\n
How we can assist<\/u><\/p>\n
We can help clients assess whether their products, software or technology are subject to export controls and identify relevant licensing, sanctions and end-use requirements. We can assist with licence applications, communications with the Export Control Joint Unit and the preparation of supporting documents.<\/p>\n
We can also review distribution, supply and technology-transfer agreements; prepare sanctions and export-control clauses; conduct risk-based transaction reviews; and help develop internal compliance procedures. Where technical classification requires specialist expertise, we can coordinate with engineers, customs professionals and other advisers.<\/p>\n
Our multilingual team provides assistance in English, Hungarian, German, Spanish, Russian and Turkish, enabling us to support international supply chains and transactions involving overseas customers, distributors and end-users.<\/p>\n
Early legal review can help exporters avoid border delays, licensing breaches and disruption to strategically important commercial relationships.<\/p>\n