Guidance

Open general licence (AUKUS nations) guidance note

Updated 21 August 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-general-licence-aukus-nations/open-general-licence-aukus-nations-guidance-note

Introduction

Action to take to use the AUKUS Nations OGL

If you are an exporter with a registered address in the United Kingdom and are already registered on SPIRE which is the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) digital licensing platform, you must register to use the OGL in the usual way. This includes entering your EORI number if you have one. If you enter an incorrect or dummy EORI and try to export physical items, then this will lead to delays.

If you are an overseas entity based in the UK and you don’t have an EORI number, then to be able to register for the AUKUS Nations OGL to use it for intangible exports only you can enter 0000000000. Further details are contained in Step 3.10 of this guidance.

Note that the AUKUS Nations OGL does not permit an overseas entity based in the UK but without a registered UK address to export physical goods.

If you are an exporter working on AUKUS for either the Australian or US Governments and/or their respective industry partners and do not have a registered address in the United Kingdom, you will need to apply for a SPIRE account to register to use the OGL. If your company is not registered in the United Kingdom, please ignore the Company Registration advice on the SPIRE Homepage and follow the instructions below at Step 1 instead.

Step 1 - Applying for Authorised User Status

To be able to use the AUKUS Nations OGL you must be an Authorised User. DBT will check this before processing your application to register.

You should follow the process to become an Authorised User set out in the AUKUS authorised user community guidance note

Once you have confirmation that you are an Authorised User, you will be able to register for the OGL.

The name of the Authorised User must match the name being registered to use the OGL.

Step 2 - How to apply for a SPIRE Account

  • Go to SPIRE
  • Click on the ‘Create a new account’ link under New Users
  • Complete the form. You must complete all boxes marked *
  • Click on the ‘Register’ button

The Department for Business and Trade will send you an email to activate your account.

If you experience difficulties in registering then email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk or call 020 7215 4594

Step 3 - How to register to use the AUKUS Nations OGL

Note: You must complete all boxes marked * on SPIRE

  1. When your account has been activated go to SPIRE
  2. Log in to your account with your Username and Password
  3. Click on ‘New Application’ In the menu on the left hand side
  4. On first time use you may get an advice service screen. Click          on the check box ‘Do not show pop-up again’ and click on the box “I wish to continue to apply for a licence”.
  5. Select OGL/GEA/EU GEA
  6. Click on ‘Start application’
  7. Select the Open General Licence AUKUS Nations, from the drop down menu
  8. Click Next
  9. Select ‘Organisation’ and type in your organisations name
  10. In the EORI number box enter 000000000000 (this must be 12 zeros)
  11. If you have a Parent Company type the name and address of the Parent Company and the nature of its business in the box    marked ‘Other Information’. You may also use this box to tell us anything which you think might support your application.
  12. Under ‘Parent Companies’ select ‘No’ and click on the Next button.
  13. In the ‘Organisation Details Section’ click on the link ‘Select Address’ which is next to the ‘Registered Address’ box
  14. In the Country box on the right-hand side select the Country where your Organisation is based and then enter the Head Office registered address of your organisation
  15. Click on the ‘Accept’ button
  16. Click ‘OK’ in the pop-up box
  17. Type the nature of your company business in the ‘Nature of Business’ box, for example ‘Defence’, or ‘Manufacturer’ etc.
  18. In the Site Details section, enter the name of the site of your organisations Head Office registered address.
  19. Click on the link ‘Copy Registered Address’.
  20. Click on the ‘Next’ button at the bottom of the screen
  21. Click on the link ‘Set as my details’
  22. Click on the link ‘Select Address’ and complete the address as per point 14 above.
  23. Type the nature of your company business as per point 17 above
  24. Click on the ‘Next’ button at the bottom of the screen
  25. On the next page select the appropriate option in the drop- down box marked ‘Relationship’
  26. Read the Declaration carefully and if you agree to it, type ‘I AGREE’ in the box provided
  27. Click on the button ‘Submit Application’ at the bottom of the screen

The Department for Business and Trade will notify you when your application has been registered to use the AUKUS Nations OGL. You will be given a unique reference number which you must keep safe.

Back to top