Section Menu

Export Controls not administered by Export Control Organisation

Exports may be subject to control under legislation other than that administered by the ECO including antiques, animals, chemicals, drugs, food plants and wildflowers.  The following departments and agencies will be able to help you; details of the various websites appear in the right hand column

Antiques and works of art, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has taken over export licensing from the Department for Culture Media and Sport.  Enquiries to the Export Licensing Unit 020 7273 8265/66/67, email: elu@mla.gov.uk, or post to Acquisitions, Export and Loans Unit, MLA Victoria House Southampton Row, London WC1B 4EA 

Certain chemicals (mainly pesticides) require a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) before exportation. Contact Health and Safety Executive on 0151 951 4620 and ask for the Industrial Chemicals Unit; fax 0151 951 3984, email UKDNA@hse.gsi.gov.uk or consult HSE's website 

Food,  Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website; or the Foods Standards Agency website for details of exporting foods to the US

Animals, plants, horticulture, organic products, Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Import/Export Consultation Exchange (DICE) website.  DICE is mainly concerned with DEFRA's regulatory function in these areas, eg animal health and welfare, plant health etc.

Live animals, Animal products, Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website or fax: 0207904 6428.  There are various telephone numbers listed on the Contacts page of the site, depending on which part of the world you are exporting to.

Plants, Plant products, Seeds, Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website.  For endangered plant species, wildlife contact DEFRA in Bristol on 0117 372 8168, or look on the UK Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species website

Prescription drugs, Medicinal products, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Export Section, on 020 7972 8000, or their website 

Precursor chemicals and reagents used in drug manufacture and in certain dangerous drugs, Home Office/Drugs website, 020 7035 0481.  The responsibility for regulating these exports might move to another agency at some point but the Home Office is responsible for the time being.

Veterinary medicinal products, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, on 01932 336 911 or to the Exports Certificates Scheme (No 25) document on their website.  There is a direct link to it in the right hand column. 

20 July 2006