Section Menu

Export Licences, Ministry of Defence F680 Form: Why an Exporter Might Need to Complete One

If exporters plan to sell, demonstrate, promote or export certain equipment, goods or information which is classified, they will need Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearance to do so.

To get this clearance they should complete a form known as the F680, the main purpose of which is to help prevent unauthorised disclosure of classified goods or equipment.  This process also applies to MoD Agencies and other parts of the Defence Department.

Getting clearance will also help speed up the assessment of any eventual export licence application made through us at the Export Control Organisation/Department of Trade and Industry. 

If the goods are classified, most of the following Military Open General Export Licences (OGELs) are likely to require F680 clearance:

• Government or NATO end-use
• Exporting after repair/replacement under warranty
• Exporting from the UK for repair/replacement under warranty
• Exporting technology for military goods

In the case of the following OGEL, an F680 is required for ALL exports, not just classified items: 

• Military goods for demonstration to governments

Click onto the relevant documents in the right hand column.

If you are going to take equipment or goods to show at an exhibition, they must be unclassified. F680s cannot be issued where it is impossible to tell which countries are going to be in attendance.

The F680 system is run by MoD’s Directorate of Export Services Policy (DESP).  Once an application is received it is circulated to specialist advisors within the MoD, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development for comment.  MoD/DESP aim to respond to an application within 30 days of receiving it.

The F680 and export licence are entirely separate and applications for each are considered on their merits against the Consolidated Criteria in the light of the information available at the time of application.  Therefore, holding an F680 for the marketing of a product to a specified destination does not guarantee that an export licence will be granted for its subsequent export to that destination.  However, applying for F680 clearance has advantages for companies in that it should give some indication as to whether there are likely to be difficulties in getting an export licence.  It could also help speed up the assessment of any subsequent licence application if circumstances are unchanged since the F680 approval.

The links in the right hand column take you to the documents on the MoD DESP site including the form which needs to be completed and returned. 

Export Control Organisation Helpline: eco.help@dti.gov.uk

21 September 2006