Open general import licence (OGIL) (HTML)
Published 21 October 2022
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The Secretary of State, in exercise of powers conferred by Articles 2 and 5 of the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954, grants the following open general import licence:
Purpose of this Licence
- Article 1 of the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954 prohibits the importation of all goods into the United Kingdom. Article 2 of that order, by way of an exception to this prohibition, permits the importation of goods into the United Kingdom under the authority of a licence. This Licence allows the importation of all goods into the United Kingdom, subject to the exceptions which it sets out.
Interpretation
2. In this licence:
“ammunition” has the same meaning given to that term in both:
- Article 2(2) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 in relation to Northern Ireland
- Section 57(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 in relation to Great Britain
“the Convention” means the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, signed at Paris on 13 January 1993.
“the Goods Classification Table” means the table so named in Annex I in Part Three of the Tariff of the United Kingdom.
“the Tariff of the United Kingdom” means the document containing the legal classification and import rate for products being imported into the United Kingdom, entitled “The Tariff of the United Kingdom”, as revised or re-issued from time to time.
“European Firearms Pass” means:
- a document to which the holder of a certificate is entitled under Article 19 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004
- a document which has been issued in a Member State of the European Union under provisions corresponding to Article 19 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004
“Firearm” has the same meaning as given to that term in both:
- Section 57(1) of the Firearms Act 1968 in relation to Great Britain
- Article 2(2) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 in relation to Northern Ireland
“commodity code” includes a code denoting a heading or sub-heading and:
- a thing “falls within” a commodity code if it is, or would be, classified under that commodity code, as set out in the Goods Classification Table
- a thing “falls within” a chapter if it is, or would be, classified under that chapter, as set out in the Goods Classification Table
- where, as regards an entry in Annex 1, any tariff code in column 2 is preceded by the word “ex”, that entry comprises all the goods classified under that code which meet the description given in column 3
- where, as regards an entry in Annex 1, column 2 is not completed, that entry comprises all goods which meet the description given in column 3
“toxic chemical” means a chemical which through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, permanent harm or temporary incapacity to humans or animals; and the origin, method of production and place of production are immaterial.
“precursor” is a chemical reactant which takes part at any stage in the production (by whatever method) of a toxic chemical.
“the European Union” means Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
“this Licence” means this open general import licence (including its annexes), as amended from time-to-time.
“UK Marking Requirement” means a requirement in entry 5 in Annex I of this Licence for specified goods, imported into Great Britain to be marked with relevant information specified in paragraph 2(aa) of Part IV of Schedule 5 to the Firearms Rules 1998, or if imported into Northern Ireland with relevant information specified in Para. 6 (b), of Schedule 3 to the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.
Permitted imports
3. Except as provided in paragraphs 4 to 9, this Licence permits the importation of all goods into the United Kingdom.
Exceptions
4. This Licence does not limit or check any restriction or prohibition upon the importation of any goods into the United Kingdom imposed pursuant to any UK legislation, or any prohibition upon the importation of goods into Northern Ireland 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.
5. Goods within an entry in Annex 1 which are described in column 4 of that entry as “prohibited” may not be imported into the United Kingdom.
6. Goods within an entry in Annex 1 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, they may be imported into the United Kingdom under the authority of a specific licence issued by the competent United Kingdom authority.
7. This Licence does not authorise the importation into the United Kingdom of:
- any toxic chemical or precursor (including mixtures thereof) listed in Category A or B of Annex 2 and ricin A chain
- chemicals with the same structures, names and toxic properties as chemicals listed in Category A or B of Annex 2 and ricin A chain (including isotopically labelled analogues, stereoisomers (both optical and geometric) and corresponding salts)
unless the importer satisfies the competent United Kingdom authority that an exemption listed in Annex 3 applies and the relevant item originates in a state that is a party to the Convention and is not consigned from a state that is not a party to the Convention.
8. Where an exemption listed in Annex 3 does not apply, toxic chemicals or precursors (including mixtures thereof) listed in Category A or B of Annex 2, chemicals with the same structures, names and toxic properties as chemicals listed in Category A or B of Annex 2 and ricin A chain (including isotopically labelled analogues, stereoisomers (both optical and geometric) and corresponding salts) originating in a state that is a party to the Convention may be imported into the United Kingdom if the importer has been granted a specific licence issued by the competent United Kingdom authority.
9. This Licence does not authorise the importation into the United Kingdom of:
(a) any toxic chemical or precursor listed in Annex 2, including chemicals or precursors with the same structures, names and toxic properties as those listed in Category A or B of Annex 2 and ricin A chain (including isotopically labelled analogues, stereoisomers (both optical and geometric) and corresponding salts)
(b) any chemical mixture containing any such toxic chemical or precursor
(c) any goods containing any such toxic chemical or precursor
(d) any goods containing a chemical mixture which contains any such toxic chemical or precursor
originating in or consigned from a state which is not a party to the Convention.
Qualifications to the Paragraph 9 Exceptions
10. Notwithstanding paragraph 9, this Licence permits:
- the importation into the United Kingdom of chemical mixtures or goods containing toxic chemicals or precursors listed in Category C or Category D of Annex 2 originating in or consigned from a state which is not a party to the Convention where these contain no more than 1% of a chemical listed in Category C and no more than 10% of a chemical listed in Category D
- the importation into the United Kingdom of goods referred to in that paragraph where these are consumer goods that are packaged for retail sale for personal use or packaged for individual use
Entry into force etc
11. This Licence comes into force on 21 October 2022 (UK).
12. This Licence revokes and supersedes the previous version of the open general import licence dated 31 December 2020.
Signature
Claire Vince
An official of the Department for International Trade authorised to act on behalf of the Secretary of State.
Date: 21 October 2022
Annex 1
| Entry | Tariff Code | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ex 2612 | Uranium ores and concentrates | Controlled |
| 2. | Ex 2844 | Plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotopes 233 or 235, natural uranium and mixtures, compounds and alloys containing any of the foregoing, including spent or irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements (cartridges) | Controlled |
| 3. | - | Anti-personnel mines and their component parts as defined in section 1 of the Landmines Act 1998 | Controlled |
| 4. | - | Munitions as defined in section 1(3) of the Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010. (The prohibition in this entry does not purport to limit any defences available under that Act.) | Prohibited |
| 5. | - | 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. EXCLUDING: (i) Air weapons (that is to say, air guns, air rifles or air pistols including air weapons designed for use only when submerged in water and, in the case of Great Britain, air weapons powered by compressed carbon dioxide) and ammunition for air weapons. (ii) All firearms, and relevant component parts, provided that: (aa) a Border Force officer is satisfied that they are imported for the use of the UK armed forces or UK police; or that they were manufactured prior to 1 September 1939, Or (bb) the importer has been granted a specific import licence in respect of the firearm and/or relevant component part conditional on the importer complying with the UK Marking Requirements within 28 days from the date of importation into the UK. Or (cc) the importer has been granted a specific import licence in respect of the firearm and/or relevant component part conditional on that firearm and/or relevant component being deactivated within 3 months from the date of importation into the UK. (iii) as regards imports into Northern Ireland, firearms and relevant component parts manufactured anywhere in the European Union before 14 September 2018 or which were imported into the European Union before that date. |
Prohibited |
| 6. | Ex Chapter 93, 9705100030, 9705100090, 9706900000. | Firearms and deactivated firearms manufactured on or after 1 January 1900 and ammunition including, but not limited to: (a) lethal barrelled weapons from which a shot, bullet or any other missile with kinetic energy of more than one joule at the muzzle of the weapon can be discharged, and their component parts; (b) weapons designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing, and their component parts; (c) accessories designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing lethal barrelled weapons or weapons designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing; (d) ammunition including grenades, bombs, and other missiles, whether capable of use with a firearm or not, or any ammunition containing or designed or adapted to contain any noxious liquid, gas or other thing; (e) any rifle with a chamber from which empty cartridge cases are extracted using— (i) energy from propellant gas, or (ii) energy imparted to a spring or other energy storage device by propellant gas, other than a rifle which is chambered for .22 rim-fire cartridges; (f) any device (commonly known as a bump stock) referred to in Section 5(1)(ba) of the Firearms Act 1968, or Article 45(1)(fa) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004. EXCLUDING: (i) cartridges for smooth-bore guns containing five or more shots; and each shot having a maximum diameter of 0.36 in (9 mm); (ii) blank cartridges with a maximum diameter of 1 inch measured immediately in front of the rim or cannelure of the base of the cartridge (25 mm); (iii) in relation to Northern Ireland, firearms and ammunition consigned from the European Union whose transfer falls within the provisions of Directive 91/477/EEC and has been authorised by the competent authority of the exporting EU Member State where: (aa) the transferee of the firearms or ammunition is authorised to hold them in Northern Ireland; (bb) the transfer licence issued by the competent authority in the exporting Member State accompanies the firearms or ammunition to their destination in Northern Ireland; and (cc) the prior consent of the appropriate United Kingdom authority is not required; (iv) as regards imports into Northern Ireland, firearms or ammunition consigned from a European Union Member State by a Northern Ireland resident who holds a firearm certificate issued by the appropriate United Kingdom authority to possess those goods in Northern Ireland, provided that the goods are not being imported into the United Kingdom for the first time and, in the case of firearms, the Northern Ireland resident is in possession of a European Firearms Pass on which details of the firearms being imported appear. (v) firearms or ammunition imported into Northern Ireland by a person who is resident in a European Union Member State and, in the case of firearms, is in possession of a European Firearms Pass on which details of the firearms being imported appear and a visitor’s firearm permit or firearm certificate issued by the appropriate United Kingdom authority to possess in the Northern Ireland the firearms or ammunition being imported; (vi) firearms or ammunition imported into Great Britain by any person, or imported into Northern Ireland, by a person not resident in a European Union Member State, where such person is in possession of a visitor’s firearm or shotgun permit or firearms certificate issued by the appropriate United Kingdom authority to possess the firearms or ammunition being imported; (vii) as regards imports into Great Britain or the Isle of Man, air weapons (that is to say, air guns, air rifles or air pistols including air weapons designed for use only when submerged in water and, in the case of Great Britain, air weapons powered by compressed carbon dioxide), but not: (aa) air weapons disguised as other objects; (bb) self-loading or pump action air weapons; (cc) air weapons imported into Great Britain designed or adapted for use with, a self-contained gas cartridge system; or (dd) air weapons capable of discharging missiles whose kinetic energy (on being discharged from the muzzle) is in excess of, in the case of an air pistol, 6ft lb (8.14 joules) or, in the case of an air weapon other than an air pistol, 12ft lb (16.27 joules); and (viii) ammunition for air weapons falling within paragraph (vii) above. |
Controlled |
Annex 2: Chemical weapons convention annex on chemicals
The following chemicals are those listed in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to the annex on chemicals to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, signed at Paris on 13 January 1993. Subject to exemptions listed in Annex 3, state parties to this convention may import Schedule 1 chemicals only if an import licence has been granted by the competent United Kingdom authority.
Whenever reference is made to groups of dialkylated chemicals, followed by a list of alkyl groups in parentheses, all chemicals possible by all possible combinations of alkyl groups listed in the parentheses are considered as listed in the respective Schedule as long as they are not explicitly exempted.
Schedule 1 to the annex on chemicals to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction signed at Paris on 13 January 1993.
Category A
| Category A | Toxic chemicals | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | O‑Alkyl (<C10, incl. cycloalkyl) alkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr)‑phosphonofluoridates | |
| for example, Sarin: O‑Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate | (107‑44‑8) | |
| Soman: O‑Pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate | (96‑64‑0) | |
| (2) | O‑Alkyl (<C10, incl. cycloalkyl) N,N‑dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) phosphoramidocyanidates | |
| for example, Tabun: O‑Ethyl N,N‑dimethyl phosphoramidocyanidate | (77‑81‑6) | |
| (3) | O‑Alkyl (H or <C10, incl. cycloalkyl) S‑2‑dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr)‑aminoethyl alkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) phosphonothiolates and corresponding alkylated or protonated salts | |
| for example, VX: O‑Ethyl S‑2‑diisopropylaminoethyl methyl phosphonothiolate | (50782‑69‑9) | |
| (4) | Sulfur mustards: | |
| 2‑Chloroethylchloromethylsulfide | (2625‑76‑5) | |
| Mustard gas: Bis(2‑chloroethyl)sulphide | (505‑60‑2) | |
| Bis(2‑chloroethylthio)methane | (63869‑13‑6) | |
| Sesquimustard: 1,2‑Bis(2‑chloroethylthio)ethane | (3563‑36‑8) | |
| 1,3‑Bis(2‑chloroethylthio)‑n‑propane | (63905‑10‑2) | |
| 1,4‑Bis(2‑chloroethylthio)‑n‑butane | (142868‑93‑7) | |
| 1,5‑Bis(2‑chloroethylthio)‑n‑pentane | (142868‑94‑8) | |
| Bis(2‑chloroethylthiomethyl)ether | (63918‑90‑1) | |
| O‑Mustard: Bis(2‑chloroethylthioethyl)ether | (63918‑89‑8) | |
| (5) | Lewisites: | |
| Lewisite 1: 2‑Chlorovinyldichloroarsine | (541‑25‑3) | |
| Lewisite 2: Bis(2‑chlorovinyl)chloroarsine | (40334‑69‑8) | |
| Lewisite 3: Tris(2‑chlorovinyl)arsine | (40334‑70‑1) | |
| (6) | Nitrogen mustards: | |
| HN1: Bis(2‑chloroethyl)ethylamine | (538‑07‑8) | |
| HN2: Bis(2‑chloroethyl)methylamine | (51‑75‑2) | |
| HN3: Tris(2‑chloroethyl)amine | (555‑77‑1) | |
| (7) | Saxitoxin | (35523‑89‑8) |
| (8) | Ricin | (9009‑86‑3) |
| (13) | Р-alkyl (H or ≤C10, incl. cycloalkyl) N-(1-(dialkyl(≤C10, incl. cycloalkyl)amino))alkylidene(H or ≤C10, incl. cycloalkyl) phosphonamidic fluorides and corresponding alkylated or protonated salts. | |
| for example, N-(1-(di-n-decylamino)-n-decylidene)-P-decylphosphonamidic fluoride | (2387495-99-8) | |
| Methyl-(1-(diethylamino)ethylidene)phosphonamidofluoridate | (2387496-12-8) | |
| (14) | O-alkyl (H or ≤C10, incl. cycloalkyl) N-(1-(dialkyl(≤C10, incl. cycloalkyl)amino))alkylidene(H or ≤C10, incl. cycloalkyl) phosphoramidofluoridates and corresponding alkylated or protonated salts | |
| for example, O-n-Decyl N-(1-(di-n-decylamino)-n-decylidene)phosphoramidofluoridate | (2387496-00-4) | |
| Methyl (1-(diethylamino)ethylidene)phosphoramidofluoridate | (2387496-04-8) | |
| Ethyl (1-(diethylamino)ethylidene)phosphoramidofluoridate | (2387496-06-0) | |
| (15) | Methyl-(bis(diethylamino)methylene)phosphonamidofluoridate | (2387496-14-0) |
| (16) | Carbamates (quaternaries and bisquaternaries of dimethylcarbamoyloxypyridines) | |
| Quaternaries of dimethylcarbamoyloxypyridines: | ||
| 1-[N,N-dialkyl(≤C10)-N-(n-(hydroxyl, cyano, acetoxy)alkyl(≤C10)) ammonio]-n-[N-(3-dimethylcarbamoxy-α-picolinyl)-N,N-dialkyl(≤C10) ammonio]decane dibromide (n=1-8) | ||
| for example, 1-[N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxy)ethylammonio]-10-[N-(3-dimethylcarbamoxy-α-picolinyl)-N,N-dimethylammonio]decane dibromide | (77104-62-2) | |
| Bisquaternaries of dimethylcarbamoyloxypyridines: | ||
| 1,n-Bis[N-(3-dimethylcarbamoxy-α-picolyl)-N,N-dialkyl(≤C10) ammonio]-alkane-(2,(n-1)-dione) dibromide (n=2-12) | ||
| for example, 1,10-Bis[N-(3-dimethylcarbamoxy-α-picolyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylammonio]decane-2,9-dione dibromide | (77104-00-8) |
Category B
| Category B | Precursors | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|---|
| (9) | Alkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) phosphonyldifluorides | |
| for example, DF: Methylphosphonyldifluoride | (676‑99‑3) | |
| (10) | O‑Alkyl (H or <C10, incl. cycloalkyl) O‑2‑dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr)‑aminoethyl alkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) phosphonites and corresponding alkylated or protonated salts | |
| for example, QL: O‑Ethyl O‑2‑diisopropylaminoethyl | ||
| Methylphosphonite | (57856‑11‑8) | |
| (11) | Chlorosarin: O‑Isopropyl methylphosphonochloridate | (1445‑76‑7) |
| (12) | Chlorosoman: O‑Pinacolyl methylphosphonochloridate | (7040‑57‑5) |
Schedule 2 to the annex on chemicals to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction signed at Paris on 13 January 1993.
Category C
| Category C | Toxic chemicals | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Amiton: O,O‑Diethyl S‑[2‑(diethylamino)ethyl] | |
| Phosphorothiolate and corresponding alkylated or protonated salts | (78‑53‑5) | |
| (2) | PFIB:1,1,3,3,3‑Pentafluoro‑2‑(trifluoromethyl)‑1‑propene | (382‑21‑8) |
| (3) | BZ: 3‑Quinuclidinyl benzilate | (6581‑06‑2) |
Category D
| Category D | Precursors | CAS Registry Number |
|---|---|---|
| (4) | Chemicals, except for those listed in Schedule 1, containing a phosphorus atom to which is bonded one methyl, ethyl or propyl (normal or iso) group but not further carbon atoms | |
| for example, Methylphosphonyl dichloride | (676‑97‑1) | |
| Dimethyl methylphosphonate | (756‑79‑6) | |
| Exemption: Fonofos: O‑Ethyl S‑phenyl ethylphosphonothiolothionate | (944‑22‑9) | |
| (5) | N,N‑Dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) phosphoramidic dihalides | |
| (6) | Dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) N,N‑dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr)‑phosphoramidates | |
| (7) | Arsenic trichloride | (7784‑34‑1) |
| (8) | 2,2‑Diphenyl‑2‑hydroxyacetic acid | (76‑93‑7) |
| (9) | Quinuclidin‑3‑ol | (1619‑34‑7) |
| (10) | N,N‑Dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) | |
| aminoethyl‑2‑chlorides and corresponding protonated salts | ||
| (11) | N,N‑Dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) aminoethane‑2‑ols and corresponding protonated salts | |
| Exemptions: N,N‑Dimethylaminoethanol and corresponding protonated salts N,N‑Diethylaminoethanol and corresponding protonated salts | (108‑01‑0) | |
| (12) | N,N‑Dialkyl (Me, Et, n‑Pr or i‑Pr) aminoethane‑2‑thiols and corresponding protonated salts | |
| (13) | Thiodiglycol: Bis(2‑hydroxyethyl)sulphide | (111‑48‑8) |
| (14) | Pinacolyl alcohol: 3,3‑Dimethylbutan‑2‑ol | (464‑07‑3) |
Annex 3: UK exemptions to the licensing regime applicable to Schedule 1 of the Convention
HN2 Salts
Salts of bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine (CAS 51-75-2) may be exempted if their product forms meet all of the following criteria:
- are pharmaceutical formulations designed for human or animal administration in the treatment of medical or veterinary conditions, or in authorised clinical trials for such treatment; and
- are authorised by the relevant regulatory authority to be marketed as clinical, medical or veterinary products, used in authorised clinical trials, or prescribed by a physician or veterinarian
This specific exemption will only apply when the named chemicals are held in quantities consistent with the end-use described.
Saxitoxin
Saxitoxin free base (CAS 35523-89-8) and its corresponding salts, in addition to their isotopically labelled analogues and stereoisomers, may be exempted if one or all of the following criteria are met:
- it is an essential component (standard solution) of commercial antibody-based rapid test kits, or is a stand-alone certified calibration solution/solid
- it is to be used specifically for purposes related to paralytic shellfish poisoning testing, including related research and international proficiency testing activities
This specific exemption will only apply when the named chemicals are held in quantities consistent with the end-use described.
Ricin
Ricin (CAS 9009-86-3), ricin A chain (CAS 96638-28-7) and their isotopically labelled analogues may be exempted if they are toxoids.
Samples
Transfer, possession and use of clinical and veterinary samples (such as blood, urine, saliva and tissue) and environmental samples (such as clothing, equipment or soil) may be exempted if they meet all of the following criteria:
- have no visible contamination; and
- are to be used for legitimate medical, analytical or research purposes, or are to be destroyed
It is a breach of the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 to acquire, produce, possess or use a CWC Schedule 1 chemical without an appropriate licence issued by the UK National Authority. If you are in any doubt as to whether your activities require a CWC Schedule 1 licence, please contact the UK National Authority immediately for further guidance and advice.
The exemptions are current as of December 2019, will be kept under review and may be subject to change in the future.
Annex 4: UK marking requirements
A. Marking requirements that apply on the importation of firearms and any relevant component parts into the United Kingdom
-
Entry 5 of Annex 1 prohibits, subject to specified exclusions, the importation or transfer into the United Kingdom of firearms and any relevant component parts (whether part of a firearm or not), unless each such firearm, and any relevant component parts, have clearly and permanently been marked with the relevant information specified below, and set out for Great Britain, in paragraph 2(aa) of Part IV to Schedule 5 of the Firearms Rules 1998, or for Northern Ireland, in Para. 6 (b), of Schedule 3 to the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.
-
This prohibition does not apply to:
(a) firearms and any relevant component parts imported or transferred into the United Kingdom, pursuant to a specific import licence on condition that they are so marked within 28 days of their importation
(b) firearms imported for deactivation provided the importer has been granted a specific import licence in respect of the firearm and/or relevant component part conditional on that firearm and/or relevant component being deactivated within 3 months from the date of importation into the UK
(c) as regards imports into Northern Ireland, firearms and relevant component parts manufactured anywhere in the European Union before 14 September 2018 or which were imported into the European Union before that date
3. The unique marking referred to in paragraph 1, applicable on importation:
(a) into Great Britain in the case of firearms and relevant component parts (other than air weapons and firearms of historical importance)
(b) into Northern Ireland in the case of firearms and relevant component parts (other than firearms of historical importance) manufactured anywhere in the European Union or imported from outside the European Union on or after 14 September 2018 shall include:
(i) the calibre
(ii) the name of the manufacturer or brand
(iii) the country or place of manufacture
(iv) the serial number and year of manufacture (if not part of the serial number)
(v) the model (where feasible)
(vi) where a relevant component part, other than the frame and the receiver, is too small to have a unique marking including all of the information set out in paragraph (i) to (v) above, the serial number or alphanumeric or digital code instead of that information
B. Implementation of technical specifications for the marking of firearms and their essential components:
- The font size to be used in the marking shall be at least 1.6 mm unless the relevant component parts that are too small to be marked to this size, in which case a smaller font size may be used.
- For frames or receivers made from a non-metallic material, the marking should be applied to a metal plate that is permanently embedded in the material of the frame or receiver in such a way that the plate cannot be easily or readily removed; and removing the plate would destroy a portion of the frame or receiver. Other techniques for marking such frames or receivers are permitted, provided that importers can demonstrate that those techniques ensure an equivalent level of clarity and permanence for the marking.
- The alphabet used in the marking of imported firearms or relevant component parts shall be Latin, Cyrillic or Greek and the numeral system used in the marking shall be Arabic or Roman. Where an import licence requires firearms or relevant component parts to be marked within 28 days after importation into the UK, or within 3 months if imported to be permanently deactivated such goods shall be marked in the Latin alphabet and the Arabic numeral system.