Notice

NTE 2023/15: Export control joint unit summer period

Published 10 August 2023

HM Government is committed to maintaining a robust and transparent export controls system as a key enabler of economic security. A trusted export controls system, with global security and human rights at its heart, is a UK strength and is part of the UK’s appeal as a trading partner. That is why we take our export control responsibilities seriously and rigorously assess export licence applications on a case-by-case basis in accordance with strict licensing criteria.

We will not license the export of equipment where to do so would be inconsistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. We will only refuse licence applications once a thorough process has been followed to ensure that the risks involved have been sufficiently assessed to justify a decision to refuse. In doing so we ensure export controls facilitate responsible exports.

Operating challenges

Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), working with colleagues in other government departments (OGDs) considers each application in chronological order. We strive to respond to as many cases as possible within our primary target of 70% of cases responded to in 20 days, or secondary target of 99% of cases responded to in 60 days. However, our targets are becoming increasingly challenging to consistently meet as we see a significant increase in the types of cases where goods or destinations are more complex and therefore take longer to properly consider than others.

For example, China is the destination which receives the highest number of single individual export licence applications (1,074 in 2022). Our processing times and refusal rates are higher for exports to China than most other destinations due to changes in UK government policy. In 2022, we completed 53% of standard individual export licences (SIEL) applications for China in 20 days compared to 62% for all destinations, and 81% in 60 days compared to 89% for all destinations. Refusals can take longer to process and our refusal rate for China SIEL applications in 2022 was 11.9%, compared to 2.5% of SIEL applications for all destinations.

The operational teams are also spending significant time getting to use and help develop the new licensing platform, LITE, which is currently in a private beta phase. This involves overcoming the challenges of a new system, carrying out testing and providing feedback to the development team in advance of its roll out to all users next year.

We would appreciate your support in ensuring our Case Officers have the maximum amount of time to work through your applications as quickly as possible. You are able to view the current status of your application in SPIRE at any time. We would encourage you to help yourself to this information to stay up to date. We are always happy to help in situations where you have a specific issue with an application, for example, where there are amendments or if you have received a request for further information (RFI) from us. But please be aware that it may be counterproductive if you are contacting Case Officers to chase applications which have not yet reached our secondary target of 60 days as it takes time away from them being able to process cases. This can become a particular issue, as with many businesses, when we are managing our service during the busy summer months.

In setting out some of our current operating challenges, and helping you to understand what to expect, we hope this will help you to plan more effectively with your customers. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Contact ECJU

General queries about strategic export licensing

Export Control Joint Unit
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY

Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7215 4594

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