Guidance

Using SPIRE to get an export licence

Updated 10 October 2024

1. Registering on SPIRE

SPIRE (login required) is an Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) online export licencing system. Certain licence applications related to military and dual-use items are made through SPIRE. If you’re applying for a licence when there are trade restrictions you need to apply in writing via email tradesanctions@trade.gov.uk.

Register for an account on SPIRE.

It’s a criminal offence to export controlled goods without the correct licence.

2. What you need before applying for a licence on SPIRE

Before you can apply for a licence on SPIRE you must have:

• any Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number
• the export control classification of your items
• supporting technical documentation to confirm the classification
• confirmation of the physical site from which your export will be made – you need to confirm if the items are in either ‘Northern Ireland’ or ‘Great Britain’ as the licence requirements will differ depending on whether the items are exported from Great Britain or Northern Ireland
• confirmation whether the movement of items is an export, an activity related to brokering or transhipment via Great Britain or Northern Ireland
• confirmation that where stated in your application that a third party is located in the ‘UK’, that the third party is located in either ‘Northern Ireland’ or ‘Great Britain’
• confirmation that where stated in your application that the ‘ultimate end user’ is in the UK, the ultimate end user is located in either ‘Northern Ireland’ or ‘Great Britain’
• confirmation that where stated on your application form that the item recipient (consignee or end user) is located in the UK, that the recipient is located in either ‘Northern Ireland’ or ‘Great Britain’

In relation to Northern Ireland based exports you should provide this information within SPIRE via ‘supplementary information’, and email your case officer once this has been done. If you do not take this action when applying, we will have to write to you separately and this might cause delays to processing your application. In providing this information you give permission for ECJU to update your application on your behalf. 

Other information you will need to have to apply on SPIRE:

• the type of licence to apply or register for
• documentation that you have been informed by ECJU or HMRC that your goods require a licence on the basis of their end use
• details of any third parties, such as agents or distributors
• the ultimate end use destination and end user of the items
• for components, the function and purpose of the system in which they will be used

2.1 Checking classification of items

Use the ’goods checker‘ or the ‘control list’ classification search tool search facility on SPIRE to find out how your goods are categorised on the export control lists.

3. Types of licences

3.1 Registering for an OGEL or an OGTCL

Open general export licences (OGELs) are reusable licences for exporters who regularly send military or dual-use items overseas, to a range of consignees or end users

Use the ’OGEL checker’ to identify and download the OGEL you require.

Each OGEL:

• covers a different activity that is controlled
• specifies the items you can export under that OGEL
• specifies which destinations you can send your items

You can generally start using an OGEL as soon as you have registered. If we need any additional information we will contact you.

If your items or destination are not listed or you cannot meet the terms and conditions, you cannot use the OGEL and must apply for a SIEL or OIEL.

In most circumstances, there is no prior requirement to obtain an undertaking about end use. There is one exception. Holders of the military goods OGEL must be able to demonstrate ‘permitted use’. They should use the specific consignee undertaking template for this particular licence.

OGEL holders must adhere to all the specified terms and conditions. This includes keeping certain records as required by the licence for the controlled goods, software and/or technology being exported. You’ll be asked to submit annual reports of your use of the OGEL through SPIRE for certain OGELs, and you will be audited by a compliance officer on an occasional basis to ensure you are complying with all terms and conditions of the licences you hold.

You must either state the SPIRE registration of OGEL reference as instructed on the licence, or preferably both, on shipping documentation for HMRC purposes.

You must register again on SPIRE for the relevant OGEL or open general trade control licence (OGTCL) if you move premises. This applies if the UK address where your records are available for inspection is different to the one you provided when you initially registered.

Failure to do so will result in a breach of your licence.

3.2 Applying for an OIEL

Open individual export licences (OIELs) cover multiple shipments of specific controlled goods to named destinations and are usually valid for 3 or 5 years. You will not always need to name the consignee or end user on your application for an OIEL.

There are different types of OIELs available, covering:

• military items/dual-use items
• dealer-to-dealer firearms
• cryptographic equipment
• off-shore installations
• media

The type of OIEL you can apply for depends on the:

• type of export
• destination
• point of export

All OIEL applications require a consignee undertaking in accordance with licence conditions. This document must be obtained in advance from the end user and submitted along with other supporting documentation via SPIRE.

The undertaking should confirm the nature of the goods ordered by the consignee and what they will be used for. Consignees are also asked to confirm that the goods will not be used for purposes associated with weapons of mass destruction.

The OIEL undertaking form should be completed by the organisation or company to whom the goods are being sent, confirming that the end use of the items matches the OIEL conditions.

3.3 Applying for a SIEL

Standard individual export licences (SIELs) cover single or multiple shipments of specific controlled goods, software or technology to a named destination. They are usually valid for 2 years but specify the quantities and values of the items for export in your application, as well as the consignee or end user.

In most cases, you will use our new service to apply for a SIEL to export strategic goods, software or technology. This is on a separate platform to SPIRE. If you have not registered, it will prompt you to create an account.    

There are some applications you must still do in SPIRE. These are:   

• temporary SIELs with multiple end-users   
• transhipment SIELs 
• SIELs for Category 0 goods, software and technology 
• applications to export goods and provide ancillary services (these are services related to the export of tangible goods) to certain sanctioned destinations:  
  • Belarus 
  • Iran 
  • Iraq 
  • Lebanon 
  • Libya 
  • Burma (Myanmar) 
  • North Korea (DPRK) 
  • Russia 
  • Syria 
  • Venezuela 
  • Zimbabwe

See guidance on applying for a SIEL.

If you are likely to make similar types of export in the future, you should consider an OIEL or OGEL instead.

To provide standalone services, including professional and business services, to sanctioned destinations, apply for a licence to provide sanctioned trade services.

3.4 Applying for brokering licences

Brokering activity involves the trading of either military or dual-use goods between one third country and another. This is generally known as trade control.

Open general trade control licence (OGTCL)

OGTCLs are reusable licences to trade specific items between specific destinations. You can reuse an OGTCL to move various items between permitted destinations. Different OGTCLs are available depending on what you are trafficking or brokering.

See list of available OGTCLs.

Open individual trade control licence (OITCL)

This is a bespoke licence specific to a named trader. It covers their involvement in the trading of specific goods between overseas sources and overseas destination countries and/or specified consignees or end users.

You can reuse an OITCL, but you will need to name the items’ country of origin and destination, and the consignee and/or end user, when you apply through SPIRE. An OITCL is normally valid for 2 years.

Standard individual trade control licence (SITCL)

A bespoke licence covering a named trader’s involvement in the trading of a set quantity of specific items.

To apply for a SITCL, you will need the same details as for an OITCL. It will however only cover one transaction and cannot be reused.

3.5 Applying for transhipment licences

You can use a transhipment licence to move controlled goods through the UK on the way to other destinations.

Open general transhipment licence (OGTL)

A reusable licence allowing a specific set of controlled items to be imported for transhipment and subsequently exported within 30 days of entering the UK.

You can read the list of OGTLs.

Standard individual transhipment licence (SITL)

A one-off licence granted for a single transhipment not covered by an OGTL.

You should only apply for a SITL in cases where an OGTL does not apply. A SITL is specific to a named transit/transhipment provider. It covers a set quantity of specific goods between a specific source and destination country with a named consignee and/or end user. SITLs are normally valid for 2 years.

4. Applying for a licence when there are trade restrictions

Trade restrictions are controls on:

• the import, export, transfer, movement, making available and acquisition of goods and technology
• the provision and procurement of services related to goods and technology
• the provision and procurement of certain other non-financial services
• the involvement of UK people in these activities

There may be specific exceptions under which it is possible to engage in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited under certain sanctions regimes. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to get a licence that would permit you to engage in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited. Some sanctions related licences are currently not processed on SPIRE and will need to be applied for in writing via email.

Apply in writing to tradesanctions@trade.gov.uk

4.1 Trade sanctions relating to exports

Sanctions regimes established under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 apply.

Read the guidance on UK sanctions regimes under the Sanctions Act.

4.2 Trade sanctions relating to imports

The Import Licensing Branch within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)  implements trade sanctions relating to imports.

5. ECJU contact details

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

6. Subscribe to notices to exporters

Sign up to our notices to exporters email alert service to keep up-to-date with changes to export licences and legislation.