Guidance

Explanatory note: open general import licence (OGIL)

Published 21 October 2022

© Crown copyright 2022

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(This note is for guidance only and does not form part of the licence.)

  1. The open general import licence (“Licence”), which came into force on 21 October 2022, replaces the previous version of the open general import licence.

  2. The Licence permits the importation of all goods into the United Kingdom, subject to the various exceptions it sets out.

  3. These exceptions include restrictions imposed pursuant to specific UK legislation or EU legislation (in Northern Ireland - see paragraph 4 of the Licence) and restrictions on imports of certain toxic chemicals and precursors listed in Annex 2 of the Licence (see paragraphs 7 to 10 of this Licence). Goods within an entry in Annex 1 of the Licence which are described in column 4 of that entry as prohibited” may not be imported into the United Kingdom.

  4. Goods within an entry in Annex 1 of the Licence which are described in column 4 of that entry as “controlled”, may not be imported into the UK under the authority of this Licence, but, unless they are also goods comprised within an entry referred to in paragraph 5 of the Licence, they may be imported into the United Kingdom provided a specific licence authorising their importation has been granted by the competent United Kingdom authority (see paragraph 6 of this Licence).

  5. Entries 1 and 2 control the importation of nuclear materials specified in column 3 of those entries. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is responsible for the licensing of imports of nuclear materials. The ONR does not currently require an import licence for imports from the European Community. After the end of the transition period licences to import the following nuclear materials will also be required from imports from the European Community. A licence to import nuclear materials from a country that is not a state party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials is unlikely to be issued.

  6. Entry 3 of the Licence controls the importation of anti-personnel mines and their component parts as defined in section 1 of the Landmines Act 1998. This entry is aimed at prohibiting the importation of goods, the use, development, acquisition, possession or transfer of which is prohibited under Section 2 of the Landmines Act 1988. This prohibition is subject to exceptions specified under Section 4 of that Act. Entry 4 of this Licence prohibits the importation of a ‘prohibited munition’ as defined in section 1(3) of the Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010 into the UK. The prohibition in this entry does not purport to limit any defences available under that Act.

  7. Entry 5 at Annex 1 of this Licence concerns the implementation of marking requirements on imports of firearms into the UK. This entry prohibits, subject to specified exclusions, imports into the UK of firearms, including any relevant component part (whether part of a firearm or not), unless those goods are marked so as to comply with UK Marking Requirements specified in Annex 4 of this Licence.

  8. Entry 6 at Annex 1 of this Licence controls imports of firearms (originating in or consigned from anywhere in the World manufactured on or after 1 January 1900) as described in paragraphs (a) to (f) of that entry into the United Kingdom. Note, however, that there are numerous exceptions here – the Licence does permit the import of such ammunition or firearms where such goods fall within any of sub-paragraphs (i) to (viii) of that entry. Note, also, that column 4 of this entry has been completed with the word “Controlled” and thus ammunition or firearms may nonetheless be imported if a specific licence authorising importation has been granted.

  9. Goods not restricted under the Licence may be subject to other import controls (e.g. pursuant to any UK legislation, or under EU legislation that applies to the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in the Withdrawal Agreement). Therefore, potential importers should consult the Import Licensing Branch at the Department for International Trade or their local HM Revenue and Customs office before arranging to import goods to which restrictions might apply.

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