Guidance

How to apply for a trade sanctions licence

Find out which type of licence you need for your activity, and apply using the correct service.

• From: Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation, Export Control Joint Unit and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 10 October 2024
• Last updated: 10 February 2025 — See all updates

There are 3 licensing bodies in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) responsible for administering licences on behalf of the Secretary of State to carry out activity prohibited under UK trade sanctions. Which body you need to apply to is dependent on the activity you want to carry out.

You must obtain a licence prior to undertaking prohibited activity.

You may need to submit separate licence applications if the activity you want to carry out falls under the remit of more than one licensing body.

1. Trade services licence

From 10 October 2024, the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) is responsible for licensing relating to the provision of standalone services, including professional and business services, which is otherwise prohibited under UK sanctions regimes.

For example, if you are:

• a UK incorporated company planning to provide services prohibited under sanctions 

• a company with no UK nexus but with employees who are UK persons who will be involved in the provision of services prohibited under sanctions 

• a UK national sole trader planning to provide services prohibited under sanctions

This list of examples is not exhaustive.

Visit our trade services licence page for more information on trade services licences and to apply for one.

2. Import licence

The Import Controls and Sanctions team is responsible for administering licences for the import of goods and associated activities – for example, the provision of ancillary services – that are prohibited under UK import controls or sanctions.

For example, if you are:

• a trader looking to import controlled goods, such as firearms or ammunition 

• a trader looking to import sanctioned goods, such as Russian wood or hydraulic brake fluid

This list of examples is not exhaustive.

Note that a trader must apply for an import licence before the goods are transported to the UK. A licence cannot be granted if an application is made for goods at the UK border or goods otherwise held in storage in the UK prior to making a customs declaration. It is a criminal offence to import sanctioned goods without the necessary licence.

Visit our import licence page for more information on import licences and to apply for one.

3. Strategic export licence

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) is responsible for licensing the export of goods, software and technology from the UK.  

For example, if you are: 

• a trader looking to export military items and dual-use items on the UK’s Strategic Export Control List 

• a trader looking to export to countries subject to an embargo 

• a trader moving military or dual-use items through the UK 

• a trader participating in brokering services of items subject to trade controls 

• a trader exporting goods, or providing ancillary services to facilitate the export of those goods, to sanctioned destinations

This list of examples is not exhaustive.

Visit our strategic export licence page for more information on strategic export licences and to apply for one.

Published 10 October 2024
Last updated 10 February 2025 + show all updates

1. 10 February 2025

   'Import licence' section updated to advise when a licence cannot be granted.

2. 10 October 2024

   First published.