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Trade Control Licences

• What are Trade Control Licences?
• Types of Trade Control Licence
• How to apply for a Trade Control Licence?

What are Trade Control Licences?

We licence the transfer of Military Goods, which fall into this trafficking and brokering category, between one overseas destination to another.

If there are more than two countries involved in any transaction, including the export of goods from the UK, exporters should note that a licence may still be needed to move goods between all the countries concerned.

Exporters should also remember that just because they have been granted a UK Trade Licence this does not remove the requirement for them to obtain permission of the authorities of the appropriate countries to remove or receive goods from or to that territory as necessary.

NOTE: Trade Controls only apply to goods on the UK Military List and not to software and technology.

View the Trade in Goods (Trafficking and Brokering): Guidance

Types of Trade Control Licence?

There are 3 categories of Trade Control Licence:

1. Open General Trade Control Licence (OGTCL)

The OGTCL allows trade in most activities in respect of military and paramilitary goods on the UK Military List moved to or from specified countries. This licence is likely to cover about 90% of situations.

Access more details  and download the current Open General Trade Control Licence.  

2. Standard Individual Trade Control Export Licence (SITCL)

A SITCL is specific to a named trader and covers involvement in the trading (commonly referred to as "trafficking and brokering") of a set quantity of specific goods, ie a one-off deal which specifies where the goods are coming from and where they are going too, between a specified overseas source and overseas destination country with a specified consignor, consignee and end-user.

SITCLs are normally valid for two years. On expiry, either by time or because the activity has taken place, the licence ceases to be valid and must be returned to the Export Control Organisation. A further licence must be applied for if a similar trading arrangement is made.

3. Open Individual Trade Control Licence (OITCL)

An OITCL is specific to a named trader and covers involvement in the trading (commonly referred to as "trafficking and brokering") of specific goods between specified overseas sources and overseas destination countries and/or specified consignor(s), consignee(s) and end-user(s).

It is a type of general permit to do things and allows a range of activities, eg sourcing goods from a number of places which then go to a number of other countries.  For instance if a UK company that deals in long-range missiles wants to move components from, say the United States, to, say, Germany, it would in this case use an OITCL.

OITCLs are generally valid for two years.

How to apply for a Trade Control Licence?

As with other OGELs, exporters must register with ECO before they use the OGTCL.  Registrations should be made via SPIRE system. View information about registering for OGELs and the CGEA.

Applications for OITCL's and SITCL's should be made via the SPIRE online licensing system.

Export Control Organisation

Updated: June 2008

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