Exporting when there's a shortage of supply: temporary restrictions
How we will manage exports if there's a shortage of supply.
On rare occasions we may have to introduce temporary export restrictions if there’s a shortage of certain goods in the UK.
We may also introduce temporary restrictions on rare occasions if there’s a risk of a shortage.
A temporary export restriction which deals with short supply could mean:
- you have to apply for a licence to export a particular product
- there is a quota, or limit, on the amount of a product you can export
- there is a ban on exporting a certain product
If we have to introduce temporary export restrictions on any product, we will list them here.
Medicines you cannot export
The government has restricted the export and hoarding of some medicines.
The restrictions apply to the exporting of medicines placed on the market in the UK for UK patients. They are only applied where exporting medicines could create or worsen medicine shortages.
Read the restrictions on exporting and hoarding medicines.
Export restrictions because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
There are currently no short supply export restrictions on products listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
If we have to introduce temporary restrictions on any products on the WHO list, we will publish them here. This information will include:
- why the restriction has come into effect
- products covered by the restriction
- when the measures come into effect
- how we’ll review the restriction
- how we’ll remove the restriction
- any circumstances where the restriction will not apply
If a product is on the WHO list of medical supplies for COVID-19 we will not choose to:
- completely ban the export
- restrict the export if it’s already in production or transit
- place export restrictions on it for longer than 30 days without a formal review
- restrict exports on it for more than 3 months