Import Licensing Branch

However, some industrial goods require import licences issued by the Import Licensing Branch (ILB), a two-person team, part of Europe Trade and International Directorate (ETID) but based in Billingham, as a result of controls imposed at national, EU or UN level. ILB publicises these restrictions by issuing Notices to Importers. 

Import controls

The UK is part of the EU Single Market and the European Commission has sole responsibility for the EU’s commercial policy. With limited exceptions (e.g. on security or health grounds), the UK is unable to introduce national import controls.

National import controls

National import controls are imposed using the UK’s national import prohibition legislation (Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939). BIS controls its use within the Government. All National import controls are listed in the Open General Import Licence (OGIL) made under it. For example, import licensing controls on firearms back up Home Office domestic legislation on the possession of firearms so that only those with authority to possess firearms can import them.

EU Import controls

Because of their effect on the EU Single market, EU Import controls are directly applicable in all EU Member States and do not require additional national legislation to implement. They are imposed when the EU needs to implement a measure agreed within the EU or internationally (e.g. a UN Security Council resolution), or to implement an EU trade policy decision.

International sanctions

Import controls can be imposed as a result of international obligations, e.g. UN Security Council resolutions. As these affect the functioning of the EU Single Market, their introduction is now usually by EU regulation and directly applicable in all EU Member States. Occasionally, they may be implemented as national measures where the OGIL is amended.

Sanctions against a particular country often include a range of measures including export and financial controls. For further information on current Sanctions, please consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); HM Treasury; or the Export Control Organisation (ECO)

Current import controls

There are three types of control:

Bans – where no import is allowed.

Quotas - where the volume of goods is restricted.

Surveillance – where the import of goods is monitored with licences.

Goods currently subject to Import bans and Licensing controls are:

• UN ban on the import of Anti-personnel mines.
• EU Quotas on Textiles and clothing from Belarus and North Korea
• EU Quotas on Steel products from Russia, and Kazakhstan
• EU Surveillance licensing on a range of steel products from all countries
• EU ban on the import of Torture equipment
• EU ban on the import of certain products from Iran
• EU ban on the import of certain products from Syria
• EU ban on the import of certain products from North Korea
• UK licensing controls on the import of firearms
• UK ban on the import of certain “legal highs”

Applying for an import licence

Application forms can be accessed by clicking on “Import Licence forms” on the left hand side of this page.

Contacts

For further advice on import controls for which ILB is responsible, contact: enquiries.ilb@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Other Government Departments that control imports

You will find a full list of import controls and the Government Department responsible for them in Volume 1, part 3 of the HM Revenue and Customs Integrated Tariff

It is the responsibility of importers to ensure that they are aware of import restrictions and controls.

Certificates of Free Sale (CFS)

“Certificates of Free Sale” are also issued by ILB to exporters. This is increasingly a requirement – mainly for goods that come into contact with humans such as cosmetics - in countries that by comparison do not have such stringent product safety standards and enforcement as the EU. CFS declarations effectively confirm that the goods listed meet the UK/EU’s high safety standards as they are being sold in the EU Single Market.

Please use our guidance (DOC, 198 Kb)  on how to apply for a CFS.

BIS is not the only Government Department that issues Certificates of Free Sale:

• Defra issues CFS for goods that come into contact with animals (Veterinary medicines for example)
• Department of Health issues CFS for medicines
• HSE issues CFS for Biocides

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