Guidance

Import controls

How to import goods under national or UN-level import controls. This includes weapons, sanctioned goods, or goods that could be used for torture.

From:
Department for Business and Trade and Department for International Trade
Published
12 December 2012
Last updated
1 October 2024 — See all updates

Legislation

If you import goods into the UK, it is your responsibility to know about import restrictions and controls. 

Import controls are imposed using statutory instruments or the Open General Import Licence (OGIL), as enabled by the:

  • Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939
  • Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954

Goods that need a licence

The OGIL is a national trade control measure that allows the import of goods into the UK without a licence. 

There are exceptions. Certain goods need import licences due to controls at a national or UN level.  

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issues licences for the import of: 

  • firearms and ammunition – according to UK licensing controls
  • anti-personnel mines – for mine detection techniques, clearance, or mine destruction
  • torture equipment – for display in a museum
  • certain goods subject to import sanctions

Apply for an import licence.

Firearms and ammunition

There are 3 types of import licence for firearms and ammunition:  

  • specific individual import licence (SIIL) – for firearms falling under section 1, 2 or 5 of the Firearms Act 1969 and firearms exempt from certification or control under section 58(2) of the Firearms Act 1968, as amended (for example, firearms of obsolete calibre)
  • open individual import licence (OIIL) – open licence for firearms, their component parts, and ammunition falling under section 1 or 2 of the Firearms Act 1968 from any country not under sanctions
  • deactivated firearms import licence – for firearms that conform to the current UK deactivation standards

Read more on firearms licencing and good practice on firearms law.

Trade sanctions

DBT implements trade sanctions.

Traders can apply for a licence to import otherwise prohibited goods. This can be done by applying for a sanctions and ad hoc licence through the Import Case Management System (ICMS).

DBT reviews each application case by case. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is ultimately responsible for decisions to grant or refuse a sanctions licence. 

If you are unclear on any aspect of the regulations, or if you need a trade sanctions licence, we recommend that you first seek independent legal advice. 

UK sanctions regimes are in force under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Read guidance on UK sanctions regimes and on trade sanctions, arms embargoes, and other trade restrictions.   

For further information, or queries about import sanctions licensing, contact importcontrols@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

Tiered-priced medical products 

Re-importing certain tiered-priced products is illegal across the whole of the United Kingdom. The retained domestic version of Regulation (EU) 2016/793, as amended by  The Prevention of Trade Diversion (Key Medicines) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, establishes a system controlling the import of certain medicines into Great Britain. 

The medicines covered by this measure are called ‘tiered-priced products’. Tiered-priced products are destined for developing countries and sold to these countries at heavily reduced prices to avoid trade diversion. 

Read the Notice to importers 2937 – Import of tiered-priced medicines.

Contact details and help 

If you need advice on DBT’s import controls which do not relate to import sanctions, contact enquiries.ilb@businessandtrade.gov.uk. 

The import goods into the UK: step by step guide also explains how to bring goods into the UK from any country.

Notices to importers

Notices to importers published by DBT’s Import Licensing Branch. 

They contain important information about: 

  • current import prohibitions and restrictions
  • import controls
  • updates on legislation and sanctions
  • amendments to import licences

DBT distributes these notices to importers at the time of publication via mailshots on their import licence system.

Some notices will also be updated as required, in line with amendments and updates to the relevant legislation. For example, when additional import sanctions are introduced with respect to a particular country.

NTI number Title Date
Not applicable Open general import licence (OGIL) 21 October 2022
2954 UK open general import licence 2022 and guidance on its use 21 October 2022
2953 Russia import sanctions 20 March 2022
2952 Belarus import sanctions 9 August 2021
2951 Syria import sanctions 17 June 2021
2950 Somalia import sanctions 17 June 2021
2948 Libya import sanctions 17 June 2021
2946 Iran (nuclear weapons) import sanctions 17 June 2021
2945 North Korea import sanctions 17 June 2021
2944 Import firearms and ammunition (PDF, 264KB) 1 April 2021
2941 Import of anti-personnel mines (PDF, 172KB) 31 December 2020
2938 Import of equipment that could be used for torture (PDF, 209KB) 31 December 2020
2937 Import of tiered-priced medicines (PDF, 143KB) 31 December 2020
2936 Import and export of cat and dog fur (PDF, 143KB) 31 December 2020

Further information

Check how to import or export goods

Updates to this page

Published 12 December 2012
Last updated 1 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. 'Notice to Importers 2940: applying for certificates of free sales' removed.

  2. Additional detail added regarding firearms and ammunition licensing. Information on certificates of free sale moved to 'Apply for an export certificate' page. Link to apply for an import licence updated.

  3. Added the latest open general import licence (OGIL) which has some updated commodity codes that fall within the firearms import licensing control.

  4. Addition of link to Notice to Importers 2953, and removal of superceded NTI 2949.

  5. Addition of link to Belarus import sanctions notice to importers.

  6. Added Notices to Importers 2945, 2946, 2948, 2949, 2950 and 2951.

  7. Notice to Importers 2944 for import firearms and ammunition issued on 1 April 2021 replaces Notice 2942. The changes cover information on antique firearms and end-use certificates.

  8. Replaced 'Open general import licence', 'Explanatory note: open general import licence' and 'Open general import licence 2020 and guidance on its use' with new versions.

  9. Removed out of date notices to importers and added new ones, and updated information relevant to the end of the transition period.

  10. Addition of NTI 2935: EU and UK prior surveillance import licensing regime update replacing NTI 2933.

  11. Addition of new open general import licence, explanatory note and notice to importers (NTI) 2934.

  12. NTI 2933 added to European import controls section replacing NTI 2930. Six tariff codes removed and 12 added relating to imports of aluminium extrusions from the People’s Republic of China.

  13. Addition of Notice to Importers 2932 - Current range of EU measures in force on steel. This replaces Notice to Importers 2929

  14. NTI 2925 EU prior surveillance import licensing regime updated by NTI 2930. Amendments to paragraph 1 and Annex A of the notice.

  15. Amendment to entry 14 of annex 1 and paragraph B of Annex 4 of Open General Import Licence (OGIL).

  16. Added notice to importers 2926 and 2927. Added 2928 which replaces 2918. Replaced 2921 minor revision.

  17. Notice 2919 has been updated and is now numbered notice 2925. This is a result of technical and not major changes with the coverage of the regime being unaffected. The changes from the previous notice are: notification of numerous tariff code changes, notification of change of country code for Serbia and notification that EORI numbers are now a mandatory requirement for the issue of import licences.

  18. Update of Open General Import Licence (OGIL) - removal of the temporary ban on the import of 'bump stocks'; the recent Firearms Act has made this item subject to a section 5 import licence.

  19. Addition of new NTI: 2918; 2919 replacing 2917; 2920; 2921; 2922 replacing 2903; 2923 replacing 2908.

  20. Added notice to importers 2917 - EU prior surveillance import licensing regime update.

  21. Added notice to importers 2915 and 2916, and details of the changes in OGIL amendment 1.

  22. Added: Notice to importers 2914 prior surveillance regime update.

  23. Updates to several import notices

  24. Update to EU prior surveillance import licensing regime - revision 3

  25. Notice to importers 2902 added - this updates Notice 2899 which has been removed.

  26. Renamed heading 'NTI Iron and Steel' to 'NTI Prior surveillance' and added notice to importers 2901.

  27. Added: notice to importers 2900 - Import Licensing Branch 2017 Christmas and new year closure dates.

  28. NTI 2895 - EU iron and steel prior surveillance import licensing regime update replaced by NTI 2899 EU iron and steel prior surveillance import licensing regime.

  29. Addition of Notice to Importers 2898 - import licensing arrangements firearms and ammunition 2017

  30. Notice to importers 2896: UK ban on the import of bump stocks added to the National import controls section. Notice to Importers 2888: UK Open General Import Licence (OGIL) 2017 and guidance on its use replaced by Notice to Importers 2897: UK Open General Import Licence (OGIL) and guidance on its use

  31. Notice to importers 2895 Steel prior surveillance regime revision 22 August 2017 replaces Notice 2894 in the Iron and steel section

  32. Added notice 2894 EU iron and steel prior surveillance import licensing regime update. Removed notice 2889

  33. Added notice to importers 2893.

  34. Added notice 2891 and 2892. Removed notice 2862, 2863, 2861, 2883, 2884 and 2890.

  35. Notice 2890 added (notice 2890 replaces 2878). Removal of notice 2878.

  36. Notice 2888 and 2889 added (notice 2889 replaces 2887). Removal of notices 2853, 2859, 2870 and 2876 .

  37. New notices to importers added covering steel, Belarus quotas and Christmas closure dates.

  38. Notice to importers 2881 added

  39. Addition of Notice to Importers 2880: ILB is now part of the Department for International Trade (DIT)

  40. Added notice to importers 2878: imports of firearms and ammunition import licensing arrangements 2016.

  41. Updated notice to importers 2877: EU iron and steel prior surveillance import licensing regime.

  42. Added notice to importers 2877: EU iron and steel prior surveillance import licensing regime under 'NTI Iron and steel' section.

  43. Added notices to importers 2875 and 2876 under national import controls heading.

  44. Added notice to importers 2874, Iran sanctions, under 'other notices'.

  45. Added notice to importers 2872, under NTI general.

  46. Added Notice to Importers 2870 and replaced 2864 with 2871.

  47. Added notice 2869 'Modernisation of import licensing branch update' to the NTI general table.

  48. Updated notices to importers.

  49. Added notice to importers 2858 and 2859 on Russia import restrictions.

  50. Notice to Importers 2856: Change to procedures for Certificates of Free Sale (CFS) added to NTI general table. Notice to Importers 2857: ICMS update for Section 5 (Firearms) importers added to National import controls table.

  51. Notice to importers 2855 - Crimea sanctions published

  52. Notice to Importers 2833, 2850, 2851, 2852 and 2854 added.

  53. Notice to Importers 2843, 2844, 2845, 2846, 2847, 2848 and 2849 added.

  54. 'EU surveillance licensing on a range of steel products from all countries' has been removed from 'Goods currently subject to import import bans and licensing controls'.

  55. Guidance on using the new Import Case Management System (ICMS) added.

  56. Replacing NTI 2829 with accessible pdf

  57. First published.

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Contents

Part of Get UK customs clearance when importing goods into the UK: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need to follow this process

    Follow these steps to get your goods for import through UK customs if you’re managing the process yourself.

    Getting customs clearance is complicated. You can hire a transporter or customs agent to make the import declaration and get your goods through UK customs.

    1. Hire someone to deal with customs for you

    Your business must be ready to import the goods before you can get customs clearance.

    1. Find out about importing goods into the UK
    1. Check if you need to make an import declaration

  2. Step 2 Set up your business for making import declarations

    You need an EORI number that starts with GB to import goods into England, Wales or Scotland. You'll need a new one if you have an EORI that does not start with GB.

    If you move goods to or from Northern Ireland you may need one that starts with XI.

    1. Get an EORI number

    Depending on where you're moving goods, you need to be registered on the right systems and have compatible software to make declarations.

    1. Check what systems and software you need to make declarations

  3. Step 3 Check if you can make the customs process quicker

    There are processes that can make clearing customs quicker and easier to manage if you have to make import declarations regularly.

    1. Find out about using simplified declaration procedures
    2. Check if Authorised Economic Operator status is right for you

    If you're importing goods from the EU to England, Scotland or Wales (Great Britain) you might be able to delay making a declaration for up to 6 months.

    1. Check if you can declare your goods later if you're importing goods from the EU

    If you regularly import goods using Common Transit, you can apply to start movements of goods at your own premises.

    1. Check if consignee status is right for your business

  4. Step 4 Register to import goods with restrictions

    You need to register as an importer if you import things like plant or animal products, high-risk food or feed, medicines, textiles, chemicals or firearms.

    Register to import:

  5. Step 5 Check if you need a licence or certificate for your goods

    There are special rules and you may need to get licences or certificates if you are importing any of the following:

  6. and Check the labelling, marking and marketing rules

    1. Check the marking, labelling and marketing standards for food, plant seeds and manufactured goods

  7. Step 6 Arrange for the goods to be inspected

    If you import things like plant or animal products, you need to choose a place where the goods can be inspected. This needs to happen before they’re allowed through the UK border.

    1. Find an inspection point for animals and animal products
    2. Find an inspection point for plants, plant products, seeds and wood
    3. Find an inspection point for high risk food and feed that is not of animal origin
    4. Find an inspection point for endangered species, or products made from endangered plants or animals

    You need to let the inspection point know when the goods are arriving. You might have to pay a fee for the inspection.

  8. Step 7 Submit and manage the import declaration

    1. Find out how to submit import declarations
    2. Find out how to change or cancel an import declaration

    If you're importing goods from the EU to England, Scotland or Wales (Great Britain) you might be able to delay making a declaration for up to 6 months.

    1. Check if you can declare your goods later to make the importing process quicker

  9. Step 8 Pay VAT and duty

    HMRC will tell you how much to pay after you submit the declaration.

    1. Find out how and when to pay VAT and duty

  10. Step 9 Get the goods released if they're held up at the border

    The goods may be held at the border if, for example:

    • you have not paid the right amount of duty or VAT
    • you do not have the right import licences for the goods or business
    • they did not pass inspection
    • they've been combined with a shipment that has been held up

    If this happens you will be told why.

    1. Contact the National Clearance Hub to get help

Also part of