Guidance

Importing ‘relevant’ nuclear materials into the UK: licensing requirements

What businesses need to do to import ‘relevant’ nuclear materials into the UK.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 31 December 2020

Businesses need to apply for an import licence to import relevant nuclear materials into the UK.

You should allow 2 months for your application to be processed.

When you need a licence

You need a licence to import the following nuclear materials:

• uranium ore concentrates
• plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotopes 233 or 235, natural uranium and mixtures, compounds and alloys containing any of the above, including spent or irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements (cartridges)

How to apply for a licence

You can apply for a licence from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

You should allow 2 months for your application to be processed.

More information

Check the guidance on import licensing from the ONR.

See the related guidance on:

• exporting nuclear materials
• shipping radioactive waste and spent fuel
• shipping radioactive sources
• import controls

Published 31 December 2020