G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
1 October 2021  
(21-7361) Page: 1/44 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (20 21) 
UNITED KINGDOM  
The following notification, dated 28 September 2021 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United Kingdom.  
 
_______________  
 
1   DEPARTMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS  ...........................  2 
1.1   Agricultural Products – Non-quota import licences  ................................ ..........................  2 
1.2   Agricultural Products – Tariff Rate Quota import licences  ................................ .................  4 
1.3   Endanger ed Species (CITES)  ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
1.4   Ozone -depleting substances ................................ ................................ ........................  10 
1.5   Fluorinated gases including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)  ................................ ..................  16 
1.6   Harvested Timber  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 23 
1.7   Waste shipment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  28 
2   HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE  ................................ ................................ ..............  31 
2.1   Civil explosives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  31 
3   HOME OFFICE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  33 
3.1   Drug precurs ors ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  33 
3.2   Controlled drugs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  36 
3.3   Firearms  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  38 
4   DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY .........................  40 
4.1   Nuclear Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 40 
5   FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE  ................................ .........  42 
5.1   Rough Diamonds  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 42 
 
  
 
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  1  DEPARTMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS  
1.1  Agricultural Products – Non-quota import licences  
Outline of  system  
1. The United Kingdom (UK) operates a system of import licences to monitor trade flows for certain 
agricultural products. This system does not limit access to the UK market.   
 
The regulations implementing this system set out which products are subject to imp ort licence 
requirements and the process by which operators can apply for and utilise import licences.  
 
Import licences are issued by the Rural Payments Agency and are valid for a certain period , which 
varies depending upon the different products.  
 
Once the Rural Payments Agency have received an application , which meets the criteria set out in 
the regulations, they will issue the relevant import licence within 5 working days.  
 
Purposes and Coverage of licensing  
2. The following goods are subject to an import licence:  
 
i. Husked, milled or broken rice products under the CN Codes 1006 20, 1006 30 and 1006 40  00. 
ii. Hemp seeds for sowing, raw hemp, hemp seeds not for sowing under the CN Codes 
1207 99 20, 1207 99 91 and 5302 10 00.  
iii. Ethyl Alcohol of agricultural origin under the CN Codes 2207 10 00, 2207 20 00, 2208 90 91 
and 2208  90 99.  
 
3. This licence system applies to all countries without exception.  
 
4. The automatic licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of import s. The purpose 
is to monitor trade flows for certain agricultural products without limiting access to the UK market.  
 
5. The legal bases for these import licences respectively are:  
 
The Import and Export Licences (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 201 9, laid under the 
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 which amend retained EU law: Commission Delegated 
Regulation (EU) 2016/1237 of 18 May 2016 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 
2016/1239 of 18 May 2016.  
 
The products which are subject to this  import licensing regime are designated in the above 
legislation. Revocation of this regime would require new or amended legislation to be brought before 
Parliament.  
 
6. Not applicable.   
 
7.(a)  A licence is issued within five working days of receiving a valid application. The day an 
application for a licence is lodged shall be deemed to be the working day on which it is received 
by the licence issuing authority, provided that it has been received not later than midday. 
A licence is valid from the day of i ssue.  
 
(b)  A licence is granted without delay after a valid application has been lodged, within five working 
days.  
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence may be 
made.  
 
(d)  The Rural Payments Agency administer s all licence applications.  
 
8. Import licences issues for hemp or hemp seeds are only issued where the conditions laid down in 
Article 189(1) of retained EU Regulation 1308/2013 have been met. Otherwise,  the legislation does 
not give grounds for refusal of an application for a licence other than failure to meet the ordinary G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  eligibility criteria. Reasons  for refusal  are given  to the applicant.  No appeal  procedures  are 
specified  in the legislation . 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. To apply for a licence, an importer must have an Economic Operator 's Registration and 
Identification number and be registered with the Rural Payments Agency. There is no registration 
fee to become an importer. There is no published list of authorised importers.  
 
10. There are no requirements regarding the format of an ap plication, but guidance on how to apply 
for a licence can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/licences -for-the-importexport -of-
agricultur al-products#ETs .   
 
11. When the import declaration is made, a copy of the relevant import licence, in an electronic form 
or otherwise, must be presented to customs.  
 
12.  There are no fees for applying for a non -quota import licence.  
 
13. Please see 14. below.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Applications for a non -quota import licence for rice or ethyl alcohol require a security to be 
lodged. This security is returned when the obligation to import is considered to have been fulfilled. 
The rele vant securities and the period of validity are set out below. Licence -holders can apply to 
have the validity extended on the grounds of force majeure . Licence -holders can apply to have the 
validity extended or the obligations on the grounds of force majeur e. 
 
CN code  
 Description  Amount of 
security  Period of Validity  
1006 20  Husked (brown) rice, including 
products imported under tariff 
rate quotas managed by FCFS  £26/t  until the end of the 2nd month  
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
1006 30  Semi-milled or wholly milled 
rice, whether or not polished or 
glazed, including products 
imported under tariff rate 
quotas managed by FCFS  £26/t  until the end of the 2nd month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
1006 40 00  Broken rice, including products 
imported under tariff rate 
quotas managed by FCFS  £1/t until the end of the 2nd month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
ex 2207 10 00  Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an 
alcoholic strength by volume of 
80 % vol. or higher  £1 per hectolitre  until the end of the 4th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
ex 2207 20 00  Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, 
denatured, of any strength  £1 per hectolitre  until the end of the 4th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
ex 2208 90 91  Undenatured ethyl alcohol of 
alcoholic strength by volume of 
less than 80 % vol  £1 per hectolitre  until the e nd of the 4th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
ex 2208 90 99  Undenatured ethyl alcohol of 
alcoholic strength by volume of 
less than 80 % vol.  £1 per hectolitre  until the end of the 4th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
ex 1207 99 20  Seeds of varieties of hemp, for 
sowing  No security 
required  until the end of the 6th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
1207 99 91  Hemp seeds other than for 
sowing  No security 
required  until the end of the  6th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
5302 10 00  True hemp, raw or retted  No security 
required  until the end of the 6th month 
following the month of the 
day of issue of the licence  
 
15. If the licence is not used within the period of validity , then any security which has been lodged 
will be forfeited . G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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16. Import authorisations are transferable between importers. Import licences constitute a right and 
give rise to an obligation to import under t he licence during its period of validity. As a general rule, 
rights deriving from licences are transferable by the titular holder of the licence during the period of 
its validity, but obligations deriving from licences are not transferable. The original li cence holder 
should apply to the Rural Payments Agency to transfer the licence. Transferees must have an EORI 
number and be registered with the Rural Payments Agency.  
 
17. No other conditions are attached to the issuance of a non -quota import licence.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures are required prior to importation.  
 
19. The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be impo rted as well 
as to cover import licences. A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.  
 
1.2  Agricultural Products – Tariff Rate Quota import licences  
Outline of  system  
1. The United Kingdom (UK) operates a system of import licences in order to administer tariff rate 
quotas (TRQs) by the simultaneous examination method for certain agricultural products arising 
from obligations at the WTO or resulting from arrangements wit h the government of a country or 
territory of a country outside the UK.  
 
These regulations set out which products are subject to import licence requirements and the process 
by which operators can apply for and utilise import licences.  
 
Import licences are  issued by the Rural Payments Agency and are valid for a certain period which 
varies depending upon the different products.  
 
Once the Rural Payments Agency have received an application which meets the criteria set out in 
these Regulations, they will issue the relevant import licence without delay.  
 
Purposes and Coverage of licensing  
2. Under the Customs (Tariff Quota) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (read with the Customs Tariff 
(Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020), any good imported un der tariff rate 
quotas which are listed in the Licensing Table in Schedule 2 of these regulations are subject to an 
import licence according to the conditions set out in these regulations.  
 
i. Beef and Veal under the CN Codes 0201, 0202, 0206 10 and 0206 2 9;  
ii. Pig meat under the CN Codes 0203 12, 0203 19, 0203 22 and 0203 29;   
iii. Poultry meat under the CN Codes 0207 11, 0207 12, 0207 13, 0207 14, 0207 27 , 0210 99, 
1602 31, 1602 32 and 1602 39;  
iv. Garlic under the CN Code 0703 20;  
v. Milk and dairy products under the CN Codes  0405 90 and 0406 90;  
vi. Cereals and Rice products under the CN Codes 1001 99, 1005 10, 1006 20, 1006 30 and 1006 
40; 
vii. Sugar (cane or beet) under the CN Code 1701.  
 
3. This licences system applies to the countries for whom the tariff rate quotas are opened. Details 
on all the tariff rate quotas , which the UK operate can be found here - 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reference -documents -for-the-customs -tariff-quotas -
eu-exit-regulations -2020.  
 
4. Non -automatic licensing is intended to restrict the quantity of imports which can benefit from 
tariff rate quotas (TRQs).  
5. The legal basis for these import licences are statutory instruments made under the Taxation 
(Cross -border Trade) Act 2018:  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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- The Customs (Tariff Quota) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, laid under the Taxation (Cross -border 
Trade) Act 2018.  
 
The products which are  subject to this import licensing regime are designated in the above 
legislation. Revocation of this regime would require new or amended legislation to be brough t before 
Parliament.  
 
Procedures  
6. The UK does not apply restrictions on the imports of agricultural products. However, imports of 
agricultural products at a lower duty rate than the UK bound rate are possible under TRQs. Imports 
under tariff rate quotas may be subject to an import licen ce: 
 
I.   The Customs (Tariff Quota) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 sets out the two management methods 
for TRQs:  
 
a) First-come first -served  
b) Simultaneous  examination method (licences)  
 
The first -come first -served method does not involve the issuing of lice nces. 
 
This relevant guidance is available on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the -trader -s-guide -to-
importing -and-exporting -certain -agricultura l-goods .  
 
II.  The tariff quotas are opened on a yearly basis and their administration may differ. There are 
cases where the total quantity of the quota is divided in biannual, quarterly or monthly sub -
periods. Licence applications take place on a monthly basis, in the first seven days of each 
month .  
 
III.  Licences are allotted to any applicant meeting the eligibility criteria irrespective of their place 
of establishment in the UK or the Crown Dependencies. To ensure that allocated licences are 
actually used, a system of securities applies. If imports are not, or partially not realised, the 
licence holder's security is forfeited or partially forfeited.  
 
IV.  The minimum amount of time an operator has to apply for an import licence for a certain 
quota following the publication of the opening of the quota is seven days.  
 
V. Licences are issued at latest  by the end of the month in which the application was recei ved, 
except that licences that are valid from 1 January must be issued by 16 December of the 
preceding year.   
  
VI.  The time between issuing an import licence and the quota opening is usually one week.  
 
VII.  Licence administration is managed by the Rural  Payments Agency (RPA).  
 
VIII.  Within the tariff rate quotas managed by import licences, the allocation to applicants is made 
by simultaneous examination. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, the RPA 
calculates to what extend the total q uantity can be allocated and fixes a uniform allocation 
coefficient valid for each import licence.  
 
For certain over -utilised quotas, quantities will be allocated on the basis of previous imports 
of those products (reference quantity).  
 
IX.  When export li cences are issued by third countries, importers will need to submit this licence 
or a copy with their application for a licence.  
 
X.  There are no cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only.  
 
XI.  There are no products for which l icences are issued on condition that goods should be exported 
and not sold in the domestic market.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  7. (a) -(d) Not applicable.  
 
8. The legislation does not give grounds for refusal of an application for a licence other than failure 
to meet the ordinary eligibility criteria. Reasons  for refusal  are given  to the applicant.  No appeal  
procedures  are specified  in the legislation.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9.  To be eligible to apply for a licence, an importer must be:  
 
a. registered under the Value Added Tax Act 1994;  
b. established in the United Kingdom, which for an individual means a resident of the UK, or in 
any other case means where a person has a registered office in the UK or a permanent place 
in the United Kingdom from which the person carries out activities which the person is 
constituted to perform;  
c. registered with HM Revenue and Customs for an Economic Operator 's Registration and 
Identification number;  
d. where goods that are subject to a quota by virtue of UK  Regulations are subject to a quota 
under equivalent legislation in the Crown Dependencies, licences are administered by the RPA 
for operators established in the Crown Dependencies.  
 
There is no registration fee to become an importer. There is no published  list of authorised importers.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. There are no requirements regarding the format of an application, but guidance on how to apply 
for a TRQ can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/licences -for-the-importexport -of-
agricultural -products#ETs .  
 
Applications for imports under certain TRQs for milk and milk products will need to be accompanied 
by an Internal Monitoring Arrangement (IMA) certificate or a copy of this certificate. This certificate 
should be issued by the recognised authority for the exporting company. TRQs with this requirement 
and the details of recognised autho rities are set out in Part B, Schedule 1 of the Customs (Tariff 
Quota) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.  
 
Applications for imports under certain TRQs for beef and veal products will need to be accompanied 
by a Certificate of Authenticity or a copy of this certif icate. This certificate should be issued by the 
recognised authority for the exporting company. TRQs with this requirement and the details of 
recognised authorities are set out in Part B, Schedule 1 of the Customs (Tariff Quota) (EU Exit) 
Regulations 2020.  
 
11. When the import declaration is made, a copy of the relevant TRQ import licence, in an electronic 
form or otherwise, must be presented to customs. For certain high -quality beef quotas, the goods 
must also be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticit y issued by the authorised government body 
in the exporting territory. The quotas and issuing bodies are listed in Part B, Schedule 1 of the 
Customs (Tariff Quota) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.  
 
12. There are no fees for applying for a TRQ import licence.  
 
13. There are no fees for applying for a TRQ import licence, however, a security must be lodged with 
the RPA. The amount of the security depends on the products and is set out in Schedule 2 of the 
Customs (Tariff Quota) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. The secu rity is returned once the conditions of 
the licence have been met and the goods have been imported.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. A TRQ import licence is valid from the first day of the opening of the quota period or sub -period 
for which the application was made, if the licence application was received prior to the 
commencement of the quota period or sub -period or from the first day of the month following receipt 
of the licence application, if the application is received within the quota period or sub -period for 
which the application was made. A TRQ import licence is valid until the end of the quota period in 
respect of which it w as issued.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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Milk and milk products  
Where an IMA has been submitted with an application for an import licence, the licence issued will 
be valid from the date of its issue until the final day of the month , which is the eighth month following 
its issue so lo ng as that period does not extend beyond 31st December in the year in which it was 
issued.  
 
Beef and veal  
Where a Certificate of Authenticity has been submitted with an application for an import licence, the 
licence issued will be valid for the relevant qu ota period or a period of three months beginning with 
the day on which the licence was issued, whichever period ends first.  
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilisation of a TRQ import licence. However, if an import licence 
is not used the security lod ged with the application is forfeited. If an import licence is only partially 
used, a proportional amount of the security is forfeited.  
 
16. Import authorisations are transferable between importers. Import licences constitute a right and 
give rise to an ob ligation to import under the licence during its period of validity. As a general rule, 
rights deriving from licences are transferable by the titular holder of the licence during the period of 
its validity, but obligations deriving from licences are not tra nsferable. The original licence holder 
should apply to the Rural Payments Agency to transfer the licence. The transferee should meet the 
same eligibility criteria as the transferer.   
 
17. No other conditions are attached to the issuance of an import authorisation for products subject 
to or not subject to quantitative restrictions.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures are required prior to importation.  
 
19. The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as well 
as to cover import licences. A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.  
 
1.3  Endangered Species (CITES)  
Outline of system  
1. This s ection provides an overview of legislation regulating imports of specimens of certain 
endangered species of animals and plants, whether dead or alive and including their parts or 
derivative s. The system implements the licensing obligations of the Conventio n on International 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Documentation is required for the 
import into and (re -)export from United Kingdom (UK) of endangered species listed in Appendices 
I, II and III of CITES and of certain non -CITES species which are covered by relevant legislation.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Based on CITES , a licensing system is in place for specified endangered species of animals and 
plants, which comprises a double -checking system involving export and import controls by both the 
country of export and by the UK as the country of import. Under CITES "trade " refers to all cross -
border movements including non -commercial movements. The licensing system applies to all cross -
border movements of specimens of the listed species (whether dead or alive and including their 
parts and derivatives) and covers not only com mercial trade but also, for example , imports or 
(re-)exports for personal use.  
 
The species of plants and animals that are subjected to licensing are listed in Annexes A to D of 
Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 as it applies in Great Britain (retained EU law), and Annexes A 
to D of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 , which applies in Northern Ireland. The Wildlife Trade 
Regulations (WTR) described in section 5 below detail different licensing requirements for the species 
listed in each Annex.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  Species liste d in Annex A: In general, specimens of the species listed in this Annex cannot be 
imported for primarily commercial purposes. There are limited exceptions.  
 
Species listed in Annex B, i.e. most species concerned by the UKWTR: transactions with commercial 
purposes involving specimens of these species listed in this Annex are possible under a number of 
strict conditions. Exemptions from this permit requirement can be granted on a case -by-case basis.  
 
Species listed in Annexes C and D need also to meet a numb er of documentary requirements.  
 
Prohibitions can also be put in place on the importation of certain specimens or species, either 
globally or originating from specific countries. The restrictions may be found in Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2 019/1587 as it applies in Great Britain as retained EU law and 
as it applies in Northern Ireland directly (see section 5 for information on the legislation).  
 
3. In the case of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), the licensing requirement applies to 
all traders and individuals importing listed specimens from all countries and territories outside of 
Great Britain. In the case of Northern Ireland , the import licensing requirement applies to all traders 
and individuals importing listed specimens from all countries and territories outside of the European 
Union. Documentation is required for movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland . 
 
4. The purpose of this licensing is not to restrict the quantity or value of imports. Rather, the aim is 
to protect certain species of animals and plants from over -exploitation through trade, in accordance 
with CITES and pursuant to relevant domestic policies on the conservation of endangered animal 
and plant species. As a Party to CITES , the UK is obliged to impl ement the Convention through a 
licensing system comprising  of import and export controls.  
 
5. The licensing requirements are specified in various regulations (legislation) collectively referred 
to as the Wildlife Trade Regulations. The relevant regulations  include retained EU law which applies 
in Great Britain (GB), EU law which applies to Northern Ireland (NI), and UK domestic regulations 
which apply to both GB and NI.  
 
Retained EU law UK(GB).  
The following regulations as amended by The Environment and Wildlife (Miscellaneous Amendments 
etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI 202/1395), the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 
Flora (Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97) (Amendment) Regulatio ns 2021 (SI 2021/ 054) , and the 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97) 
(Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/645),  apply in relation to Great Britain:  
 
• Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protec tion of species of wild fauna and flora by 
regulating trade therein;  
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 laying down detailed rules concerning the 
implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97;  
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 792/2012 o f 23 August 2012 laying down rules 
for the design of permits, certificates and other documents provided for in Council Regulation 
(EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating the trade 
therein and amending Regulation (E C) No 865/2006; and  
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2019/1587 prohibiting the introduction into the 
Union of specimens of certain wild fauna and flora.  
 
The EU Wildlife Trade Regulations (EUWTR) will continue to apply to the UK in respect of Nor thern 
Ireland.  
 
EUWTR (UK(NI)):  
• Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by 
regulating trade therein (as last amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/160);  
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 laying down  detailed rules concerning the 
implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 (as last amended by Commission 
Regulation (EU) No 2015/870);  
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 792/2012 of 23 August 2012 laying down rules 
for the design of permit s, certificates and other documents provided for in Council Regulation 
(EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating the trade G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  therein and amending Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 (as amended by Commission 
Implementing Regul ation (EU) 2015/57); and  
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2019/1587 prohibiting the introduction into the 
Union of specimens of certain wild fauna and flora.  
 
UK domestic regulations:  
• The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Fees) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/496).  
 
The legislation specifies the species of plants and animals that are subject to licensing. To reflect 
amendments to CITES Appendices, these legislative lists of species are updated from time to time 
by amending legislation. That is don e through a legislative process by the UK Government, under 
scrutiny of the UK Parliament, or in the case of EU legislation through relevant EU institutional 
legislative processes. Listing of species is therefore not left to administrative discretion. It i s not 
possible to abolish the system without legislative approval.  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable .   
 
7.(a)  Permits should be applied for in good time to allow for their issue prior to import. The issuance 
of a permit is not automatic, and no movement should begin prior to obtaining a license.  
 
(b)  No, as above.  
 
(c)  No.  
 
(d)  Permits and certificates are issued by the UK CITES Management Authority, the Animal and 
Plant Health Agency (APHA), on advice from the relevant Scientific Authority. The UK CITES 
management  authority may in some cases need to consult the relevant CITES au thorities in 
the country from which a species is being exported, and only in very limited circumstances 
the CITES Secretariat may need to be consulted.  
 
8. Applications for a license can only be refused where there is a failure in meeting the conditions 
set out by the Wildlife Trade Regulations. The UK CITES Management Authority will inform applicants 
of the reasons for any refusal to issue a licence. There is no right of appeal, but if further information 
or evidence can be provided the licensing authority may review the case or the applicant can make 
a new application.   
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. Anyone can apply for a licence. Ther e are no eligibility requirements and there is no system of 
registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation nor list of authorised importers.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. The standard model forms  that are used for all permits, certificates, notifications and applications 
for these documents, as well as labels for scientific specimens, are contained in Implementing 
Regulation (EU) No 792/2012 as it applies in Great Britain as retained EU law and as  it applies in 
Northern Ireland directly (see section 5 above).  
 
11. Different permits or certificates are required for trade into the UK:  
• an import permit for import of specimens of Annex A or B listed species;  
• an import notification for import of Annex C or D listed species, which is to be completed by 
the importer.  
 
12. Applicants must pay a fee to obtain the relevant permits or certificates. This fee covers the cost 
of processing the application. The amount depends on the type of permit and the specimen applied 
for. Subject to meeting certain criteria, fees can be waived for imports of endangered species for 
conservation purposes (see UK domestic regulations listed in section 5).  
 
13. The processing fee referenced in paragraph 12.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  Conditions  of licensing  
14. The maximum validity of an import permit is 12 months. An import permit is only valid when 
supported with a valid corresponding document from the country of export or (re -)export (the 
maximum validity of those documents is 6 months) .  
 
15. There is no penalty for non -utilisation.  
 
16. Licenses are not transferable.  
 
17. Conditions can be attached to a license. For example, there are standard special conditions on 
import permits to ensure that live specimens are transported in line with CITES measures and 
Regulations published by the International Air Transport Association.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. There are no other administrative/procedural requirements prior to importation.  
 
19. No foreign exchange control.  
 
1.4  Ozone -depleting substances  
Outline of system  
1. The import of ozone -depleting substances (ODS) is subject to licensing. In the context of the 
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on the substances 
that deplete the ozone l ayer, the Environment Agency issues ODS licences for imports into Great 
Britain based on applications submitted via the ODS quota, licensing and reporting system. Imports 
(as well as exports) of controlled substances, referred to hereby as ozone depleting substances 
(ODS) and products and equipment containing or relying on ODS are prohibited. However, there are 
exemptions to this prohibition. Below, the responses to the questionnaire focus on the procedures 
in place for the importation of controlled substan ces. 
 
EU law is directly applicable in Northern Ireland under the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European 
Atomic Energy Community, signed in London and Brussels on 24 Januar y 2020, which includes the 
Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Therefore, the European Commission issue ODS import and 
export licenses on behalf of Northern Ireland. For further information on how to apply for ODS 
licenses for Northern Ireland, please re fer to the questionnaire on import licensing procedures for 
the European Union.  
 
Licensing System:  
 
A licence is required in case of import or export of ODS. Licences are issued by the Environment 
Agency through the use of webforms hosted on the UK Govern ment website, 
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone -depleting -substances -guidance -for-users -
producers -and-traders . An un dertaking applies for the licence using a webform, the Environment 
Agency process their applications and issues a licence via email. A licence is required for the import 
or export of the substance itself, a mixture containing ODS and a product or equipment  containing 
or relying on ODS.  
 
The rules on the import of controlled substances or of products and equipment containing or relying 
on controlled substances, including licensing, are outlined in Article 15 of Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 
as it applies in Grea t Britain as retained EU law, and as it applies in Northern Ireland directly. Annex  I 
of the regulation outlines the controlled substances subject to licensing, and Annex II are those that 
are exempt from licensing.  
 
The licensing requirement does not app ly in rare cases when the ODS goods are imported for no 
longer than 45 days and are not presented for release for free circulation, destroyed or processed 
before subsequent re -export. Four customs procedures are exempted from the licensing requirement 
under the 45 -day re -export rule.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 11 - 
 
  The customs procedures exempted under the 45 -day re -export rule are:  
 
• Transit;  
• Temporary storage;  
• Customs warehousing;  
• Free zone procedure . 
 
The European Commission allocate ODS licenses for Northern Ireland. For further inf ormation on 
how to apply for ODS licences for Northern Ireland, please refer to the questionnaire on import 
licensing procedures for the European Union.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. The following goods are covered by the ODS licensing system:  
Substances (ODS)  CN /TARI FF code 
CFC-11 2903 77 60  
CFC-12 2903 77 60  
CFC-113 2903 77 60  
CFC-113a 2903 77 60 10  
CFC-114 2903 77 60  
CFC-115 2903 77 60  
CFC-13 2903 77 90 60  
CFC-111 2903 77 90 15  
CFC-112 2903 77 90 20  
CFC-211 2903 77 90 25  
CFC-212 2903 77 90 30  
CFC-213 2903 77 90 35  
CFC-214 2903 77 90 40  
CFC-215 2903 77 90 45  
CFC-216 2903 77 90 50  
CFC-217 2903 77 90 55  
Halon -1211 2903 76 10  
Halon -1301 2903 76 20  
Halon -2402 2903 76 90  
Carbon tetrachloride  2903 14 00  
1,1,1 -trichloroethane  2903 19 00 10  
Methyl bromide  2903 39 11  
HBFC -21 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -22 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -31 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -121 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -122 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -123 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -124 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -131 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -132 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -133 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -133a B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -141 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -142 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -151 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -221 B6  2903 79 30  
HBFC -222 B5  2903 79 30  
HBFC -223 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -224 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -225 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -226 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -231 B5  2903 79 30  
HBFC -232 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -233 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -234 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -235 B1  2903 79 30  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Substances (ODS)  CN /TARI FF code 
HBFC -241 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -242 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -243 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -244 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -251 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -252 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -253 B1 (CAS: 421 -46-5) 2903 79 30  
HBFC -253 B1 (CAS: 460 -32-2) 2903 79 30  
HBFC -261 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -262 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -271 B1  2903 79 30  
HCFC -21 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -22 2903 71 00  
HCFC -31 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -121 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -121a 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -122 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -123 2903 72 00  
HCFC -123a 2903 72 00  
HCFC -124 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -124a 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -131 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -132 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -133 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -133a 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -141 2903 73 00  
HCFC -141b 2903 73 00  
HCFC -142 2903 74 00  
HCFC -142b 2903 74 00  
HCFC -151 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -221 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -222 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -223 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -224 2903 79 30 90 
HCFC -225 2903 75 00  
HCFC -225ca  2903 75 00  
HCFC -225cb  2903 75 00  
HCFC -226 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -231 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -232 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -233 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -234 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -235 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -241 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -242 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -243 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -244 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -251 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -252 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -253 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -261 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -262 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -271 2903 79 30 90  
Bromochloromethane  2903 79 30 20  
 
 
Mixtures of substances containing ODS  CN /TARI FF code 
Deuterium and compounds thereof; ...; mixtures and solutions 
containing these products  2845 90 10  
Isotopes other than those of heading 2844;  ...other, other  2845 90 90 90  
Preparations and charges for fire -extinguishers … for use in certain types 
of aircraft  3813 00 00  
Preparations and charges for fire -extinguishers … other  3813 00 00  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Mixtures of substances containing ODS  CN /TARI FF code 
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents ...; certified reference materials  3822 00 00  
Mixtures containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), whether or not 
containing (HCFCs), (PFCs) or (HFCs)  3824 71 00  
Mixtures containing bromochlorodifluoromethane, bromotrifluoromethane 
or dibromotetrafluoroethanes (Halons)  3824 72 00  
Mixtures containing hydrobromof luorocarbons (HBFCs)  3824 73 00  
Mixtures containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ..., but not 
containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)  3824 74 00  
Mixtures containing carbon tetrachloride  3824 75 00  
Mixtures containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)  3824 76 00  
Mixtures containing bromomethane (methyl bromide) or 
bromochloromethane  3824 77 00  
 
Description  CN /TARIFF code  
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti -sprouting 
products and plant -growth regulators, disinfectants and similar 
products, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations 
or articles (for example, sulphur -treated bands, wic ks and candles, and 
fly- papers) – unlikely to contain ODS but may contain methyl bromide   3808 91 90  
Rodenticides – may contain methyl bromide  3808 99 10  
Rodenticides – may contain methyl bromide  3808 99 90  
 
 
Products & equipment containing or relying on ODS  CN /TARIFF code  
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, whether or not charged - 
for use in civil aircraft  8424 10 00  
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, whether or not charged – 
other  8424 10 00  
Mechanical appliances ... fire extinguishers... - Parts 8424 90 80  
Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not 
fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles  8710 00 00  
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen weight not exceeding  2 
000 kg  8802 11 00  
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen weight exceeding 2 000 kg  8802 12 00  
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen weight not exceeding 2 
000 kg  8802 20 00  
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen weight exceeding 2 000 kg 
but not exceeding 15 000 kg  8802 30 00  
Other aircraft... aeroplanes of an unladen weight exceeding 15 000 kg  8802 40 00  
Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels principally designed 
for the transport of persons; ferry -boats of all kinds - seagoing  8901 10 10  
Refrigerated vessels other than those of 8901 20 – seagoing  8901 30 10  
Fishing vessels; factory ships and other vessels for ... fishery products 
- seagoing  8902 00 10  
Yachts and other vessels for pleasure or sports; rowing boats and 
canoes, other than inflatable  8903 91 00  
Motor boats, other than outboard motor boats  8903 92 00  
Tugs and pusher craft  8904 00 00  
Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms  8905 20 00  
Warships  8906 10 00  
Component parts of complete industrial plant in the framework of 
external trade (Commission Regulation EC No 113/2010 of 
09.02.2010)  9880 00 
 
3. Country restrictions: The Regulation under Article  20 (1) prohibits the import or export of ODS 
and of products and equipment containing or relying on ODS from any country not party to the 
Montreal Protocol.   
 
4. In accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EC) 1005/2009, ODS licences restricts the quantity 
and type of ODS that can be imported. A lthough import for activities outlined in Article 15(2) are 
allowed under the condition of a licence, this may be overruled by Article 20(1) prohibiting the import 
of controlled substances and of products and equipment containing or relying on controlled 
substances from any State not party to the Montreal Protocol.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  ODS import/export licensing is required to comply with Article 4B of the Montreal Protocol on 
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Therefore, alternatives to import/export licensing have 
not been considered. A review is underway during 2021/2022 , which may look at how the licensing 
system works in case improvements can be made. The ODS licensing system in Great Britain is 
operated under retained EU law, meaning the review will be the first o pportunity by the UK to 
consider any changes.  
 
5. Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 as it applies in Great Britain as retained EU law, and as it applies in 
Northern Ireland directly.  
 
Regulation (EC) No  1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16  September 2009 
on substances that deplete the ozone layer (recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (legislation.g ov.uk)  
 
The Ozone -Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Gre enhouse Gases (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) 
Regulations 2019  
 
The Ozone -Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) 
Regulations 2020  
 
Procedu res 
6. The following responses relate to ODS import and export licensing in Great Britain. For further 
information on how to apply for ODS licenses in Northern Ireland, refer to the questionnaire on 
import licensing procedures for the European Union.  
 
An importer must hold quota for the import of the ODS in the case of some imports.  
 
In accordance with Article 16 of the ODS regulation, imports for the following uses require quota:  
• Essential laboratory and analytical uses;  
• Feedstock uses;  
• Process agent use s. 
 
Importers must apply for the quantity of ODS they want to import and declare what they will use it 
for. A licence is granted if the quantity and use is permitted by Regulation 1005/2009.  
 
I. During the year (usually around June) the Environment Agency  publishes a notice on 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applying -for-quota -to-import -or-produce -ozone -depleting -
substances  about the quota procedure f or the following year. The notice informs about the 
relevant details of the quota application process for the following year including the deadline 
for applying for quota. Registered entities, as well as trade bodies and associations are also 
informed via email when the quota window is opened and the relevant timescales. Importers 
and producers request quota for the period from 1 January to 31 December of the following 
year. The Environment Agency do es not publish a list of GB ODS Quota holders.  The rules 
relating to ODS are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone -
depleting -substances -guidance -for-users -producers -and-traders . 
 
II. Quota is determined on a yearly basis. The Environment Agency issue ODS licences with a 
validity period of 28 days. If an import/export falls outside the validity period, the organisation 
must apply for a new licence. Quota is allocated annually for the ne xt calendar year.  
 
III. The unused quota is not added to the next quota period. The Environment Agency notifies 
importers of the quantity and substance type of the ODS and the specific use for which the 
import has been applied for and authorised for the following year. The list o f importers is 
currently provided on request and will be published from October 2021. The Environment 
Agency works closely with customs and borders to track imports/exports to ensure there is 
sufficient quota for import/export.  
 
IV. There is a two-month wi ndow where companies can apply for quota, however companies that 
are not registered on the ODS Quota, Licensing and Reporting System have 1 month to 
register from the opening of the quota window in order to apply for a licence and quota. 
Further informatio n is published on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone -
depleting -substances -guidance -for-users -producers -and-traders . Applications for licences can G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 15 - 
 
  be made all year long. The Environment Agency must take a decision whether or not to issue 
a licence no later than 30 days after having received a complete application. Yet, in urgent 
cases the Environment Agency endeavours to process the licences upon request.  
 
V. Applications for ODS licences are processed within a maximum 30 days. The Environment 
Agency will aim to process most applications between 5 -10 days. There is no statutory length 
for processing applications for quota.  In practice, we aim to notify undertakings by the end of 
October what their quota will be for the following year.  
 
VI. Exports cannot be undertaken until a licence has been granted. Undertakings should allow for 
a minimum of 30 days between applying for a licence and the period of importation opening.  
 
VII. Licence applications on behalf of Great Britain are considered by  a single administrative 
organisation, the Environment Agency.  
 
VIII. The decision on how much quota an importer or producer receives is made in accordance with 
the quota allocation procedure for imports , which require quota as set out in article 16 of 
Regulation (EC) 1005/2009. The Environment Agency, Climate Change Trading and 
Regulatory Services ensure that total GB ODS quota and therefore organisations ' GB quota 
does not exceed the limits imposed by the UK regulations for end uses that are subject to 
quantitative limits.  
 
IX. No licences are issued automatically.  
 
X. Not applicable.  
 
XI. Not applicable  
 
7. (a)-(d) Not applicable.  
 
8. The reason for rejection is always provided by the Environment Agency via email and it is  the 
failure to meet ordinary criteria. An application for a licence is rejected where, the organisation does 
not hold quota, holds insufficient quota, does not hold quota for a substance/has not declared a need 
for this substance. A licence will also be rejected if the substa nce import/export is not in accordance 
with ODS regulations , i.e. a licensable import/export.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any undertaking which is defined as natural or legal person can register in the ODS Quota, 
Licensing and Reporting System and after verification apply for ODS licences free of charge. The list 
of importers is not published. There is no obligation/requirement to publish the list.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. The general  content of a licence form is the following:  
• Consignee;  
• Country of destination;  
• Consignor/ Exporter;  
• Country of export;  
• Customs  of entry;  
• Customs  of import;  
• Customs  procedure;  
• Commercial  description;  
• Substance name;  
• Use; 
• CN code;  
• CAS-number;  
• GROSS  mass;  
• NET mass;  
• Number of units;  
• Nature of substance.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 16 - 
 
  11. No documents required.   
 
12. There is no fee or charge.  
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Most import licences have a maximum validity of 28 days ( seven  days before and 21 days after 
the estimated date of import). In cases where this validity period exceeds the licensing year (before 
1 January and after 31 December), the validity period is cut accordingly. The validity of the licence 
is also cut when the date of issue is less than seven days before the estimated date of import or if 
the licence is issued after that date.  
 
Different rules apply to the validity period for the import licences for fire extinguishers containing 
halon for use on aircrafts. Such licence is valid from the day it is issued until the end of the calendar 
year for which it was issued. In cases where the application proceeds the licensing year (i.e., it is 
issued before 1 January), the validity period starts 1 January the following year . 
 
15. There is no  penalty for the non -utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence . 
 
16. Licences are not transferable between importers .  
 
17. Importers of ODS for lab and analytical uses may need to make a LABODS declaration to the 
Environment Agency (for Great Britain) or the European Commission (for Northern Ireland) and hold 
a valid LABODs number if they are importing ODS with the intent to supply to other labs.   
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Not applicable . 
 
19. Not applicable . 
 
1.5  Fluorinated gases including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)  
Outline of system  
1. HFCs are, together with perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a fluorinated 
greenhouse gas (F -gas). F -gases are powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming effect up 
to 23,000 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). HFCs are the most relevant F -gases from a 
climate perspective. As a signator y of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the UK is 
committed to reduce our consumption of HFCs, licence and report on them annually. Reducing 
emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases is a part of UK 's effort to implement the Paris 
Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and achieve net 
zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  
Companies must have a prior valid licence registration to import and export fluorinated gases 
(F-gases). Further, for import of bulk hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) it is a requirement that the quantity 
of HFCs placed on the market ( e.g., import released for free circulation) are covered by quota on an 
annual basis. Importers and export ers of HFCs to and from Great Britain must register with the 
Environment Agency in the Great Britain quota system. Importers and exporters to and from 
Northern Ireland must register with the European Commission in the European Union quota system.  
In addit ion, importers placing on the market refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment 
charged with HFCs must also be registered and the quantities of HFCs must be accounted for within 
the quota system at the time of import. This must be documented, and a declaration of conformity 
must be drawn up in this respect.  
Also, the placing on the market of certain products and equipment containing F-gases with a certain 
global warming potential are prohibited and the placing on the market of non -refillable co ntainers of 
fluorinated gases is forbidden. Equipment, products,  and containers with fluorinated gases must be 
labelled appropriately. F -gases and HFC guidance is available at G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 17 - 
 
  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fluorinated -gas-f-gas-guidance -for-users -producers -
and-traders . 
The replies below focus on the procedures in place for import of bulk HFCs and HFCs imported in 
refrigeration , air conditioning and heat pump equipment pre -charged with HFCs. Under the Northern 
Ireland Protocol, EU Regulation No 517/2014 on Fluorinated greenhouse gases is directly applicable 
in Northern Ireland. For further information on the procedures in place in Northern Ireland, please 
refer to the questionnaire on import licensing procedures for the European Union, Fluorinated gases 
including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) . 
 
The F -gas registration, quota and reporting service implements the requirements related to HFCs 
under the Montreal Protocol on the substances that deplete the ozone layer, and in particular its 
Kigali Amendment that added HFCs to the list of controlled substances and agreed to a global 
phasedown of production and consumpt ion of HFCs and required the implementation of a licensing 
system for import and export of HFCs.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. The following HFC's are listed in Annex I, Section 1, of the F -gas Regulation (Bulk Gases):  
 
Substances (HFCs)  CN/TARI FF code 
1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane  2903392610  
1,1,2,2,3 -pentafluoropropane (HFC -245ca)     2903392715  
1,1,1,2,3,3,3 -heptafluoropropane (HFC -227ea)  2903392720  
1,1,1,2,2,3 -hexafluoropropane (HFC -236cb)  2903392722  
1,1,1,2,3,3 -hexafluoropropane (HFC -236ea)  2903392724  
1,1,1,3,3,3 -hexafluoropropane (HFC -236fa)  2903392726  
Other HFC 236  2903392791  
Fluoromethane (methyl fluoride) (HFC -41) 2903392920  
Fluoroethane (ethyl fluoride) (HFC -161) 2903392922  
1,2-difluoroethane (HFC -152)                      2903392924  
1,1,1 -trifluoroethane (HFC -143a)  2903392925  
1,1,2 -trifluoroethane (HFC -143) 2903392926  
1,1,2,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134) 2903392928  
1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5 -decafluoropentane (HFC -43-10mee)  2903392930  
1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluorobutane (HFC -365mfc)  2903392932  
HFC365 derivative  2903392991  
Containing only 1,1,1 -trifluoroethane and pentafluoroethane  3824781000  
R507A (containing 50% of pentafluoro ethane (HF C -125) and 50% of 
1,1,1 -trifluoroethane (HFC -143a))  3824781010  
Other  3824781090  
1,1,1 -trifluoroethane, pentafluoroethane and 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane  3824782000  
R404A (containing 52% of 1,1,1 -trifluoroethane  (HFC-143a), 44% of 
pentafluoroethane (HFC -125) and 4% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane 
(HFC-134 a))  3824782010  
Other   3824782090  
Containing only difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane  3824783000  
R410A (containing 50% of pentafluoroethane  (HFC-125) and 50% of 
difluoromethane (HFC -32)) 3824783010  
Other  3824783090  
Mixtures containing halogenated derivatives of methane, ethane or 
propane - Containing only difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane and 
1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane  3824784000  
R407A (containing 40% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -125), 40% of 1,1,1,2 -
tetrafluoroethane ( HFC-134a) and 20% of difluoromethane (HFC -32)) 3824784010  
R407C (containing 52% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a), 25% of 
pentafluoroethane (HFC -125) and 23% of difluoromethane (HFC -32)) 3824784020  
R407F (containing 40% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane  (HFC-134a), 30% of 
difluoromethane (HFC -32) and 30% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -125))  3824784030  
R407H (containing 52.5% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a), 
32.5% of difluoromethane (HFC -32) and 15% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -
125))  3824784040  
Other  3824784090  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Substances (HFCs)  CN/TARI FF code 
Mixtures containing halogenated derivatives of methane, ethane or 
propane - Containing unsaturated hydrofluorocarbons.  3824788000  
R448A (containing 26% of difluoromethane (HFC -32), 26% of 
pentafluoroethane (HFC -125), 21% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -
134a), 20% of 2,3,3,3 -tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234yf) and 7% of 
1,3,3,3 -tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234ze)   3824788010  
R449A (containing 25.7% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a), 
25.3% of 2,3,3,3 -tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234yf), 24.7% of 
pentafluoroethane (HFC -125) and 24.3% of difluoromethane (HFC -32)) 3824788011  
R450A (containing 58% of 1,3,3,3 -tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234ze) and 
42% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a))  3824788020  
R452A (containing 59% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -125), 30% of 2,3,3,3 -
tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234yf) and 11% of difluoromethane (HFC -32)) 3824788021  
R452B (containing 67% of difluoromethane (HFC -32), 26% of 2,3,3,3 -
tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234yf) and 7% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -
125) 3824788030  
R455A (containing 75.5% of 2,3,3,3 -tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234yf), 
21.5% of difluoromethane  (HFC-32) and 3% of carbon dioxide)  3824788031  
R513A (containing 56% of 2,3,3,3 -tetrafluoropropene (HFC -1234yf) and 
44% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a))  3824788040  
R514A (containing 74.7% of 1,1,1,4,4,4 -hexafluoro -2-butene (HFC -
1336mzz) and 25.3% of trans -1,2-dichloro -ethylene)  3824788041  
Other  3824788091  
Suspensions  3824789005  
R508A (containing 61% of hexafluoroethane (perfluoroethane) (PFC -116) 
and 39% of trifluoromethane (fluoroform) (HFC -23)) 3824789010  
R508B (containing 54% of hexafluoroethane (perfluoroethane) (PFC -116) 
and 46% of trifluoromethane (fluoroform) (HFC -23)) 3824789011  
R422D (containing 65.1% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -125), 31.5% of 
1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a) and 3.4% of isobutane)  3824789020  
R417A (cont aining 50% of 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a), 46.6% 
of pentafluoroethane (HFC -125) and 3.4% of isobutane)  3824789021  
R419A (containing 77% of pentafluoroethane (HFC -125), 19% of 1,1,1,2 -
tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a), and 4% of dimethyl ether (R -E170) ) 3824789030  
Containing only 1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluorobutane (HFC -365mfc) and 
1,1,1,2,3,3,3 -heptafluoropropane (HFC -227ea)  3824789061  
Containing only 1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluorobutane (HFC -365mfc) and 
1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluoropropane (HFC -245fa)  3824789070  
Other  3824789091  
 
  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 19 - 
 
  Pre-charged equipment  
 
The commodity codes relevant to this category are:  
 
Air-conditioning machines, comprising a motor -driven fan and elements for changing the 
temperature and humidity, including those machines in which the humidity cannot be separately 
regulated (pre -charged with HFCs) . 
 
Pre-charged with HFCs  CN/TARIFF code  
Of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall ceiling or floor, self -contained or split 
system  8415101010  
 
Split system  8415109010  
Of a kind used in motor vehicles  8415200010  
Other  8415810091  
Other incorporating a refrigeration unit  8415820091  
Parts 8415900099  
 
Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps 
other than air-conditioning machines of heading  8415 (pre -charged with HFCs) . 
 
Pre-charged with HFCs  CN/TARIFF code  
Combined Fridge Freezers, fitted 
with separate external doors  Of a capacity exceeding 340 litres  8418102091  
Other  8418108091  
Refrigerators, household type  Of a capacity exceeding 340 litres  8418211010  
Table model  8418215110  
Building in type  8418215910  
Other of a capacity not exceeding 250 litres  8418219110  
Exceeding 205 but not exceeding 340 litres  8418219910  
Other  8418290010  
Freezers of chest type, not 
exceeding 800 litres capacity  Of a capacity not exceeding 400 litres  8418302091  
 Of a capacity exceeding 400 litres but not 
exceeding 800 litres  8418308091  
Freezers of the upright type, not 
exceeding 900 litres capacity.  Of a capacity not exceeding 250 litres  8418402091  
Of a capacity exceeding 250 litres but not 900 
litres 8418408091  
Other furniture (chests, cabinets, 
display counters, showcases and 
the like) for storage and display, 
incorporating refrigerating or 
freezing equipment  Refrigerated showcases and counters 
(incorporating a refrigerating unit or evaporator) - 
For frozen food storage  8418501110  
 Refrigerated showcases and counters 
(incorporating a refrigerating unit or evaporator) - 
Other  8418501910  
 Other refrigerating furniture  8418509010  
Other refrigerating or freezing 
equipment; heat pumps  Heat pumps other than air conditioning machines 
of heading  8415 8418610091  
Other  8418690091  
Parts Evaporator composed of aluminium fins and a 
copper coil of the kind used in refrigeration 
equipment  8418991051  
 Condenser composed of two concentric copper 
tubes of the kind used in refrigeration equipment  8418991061  
 Other  8418991081  
 Of refrigerating equipment adapted to the air -
conditioning system, for use in certain types of 
aircraft  8418999099  
 
3. Only Members of the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.  
 
4. Undertakings can be United Kingdom (UK) and non -UK organisations. Non -UK undertakings must 
nominate an Only Representative established in the United Kingdom for the purpose of compliance 
with the requirements of the F -gas Regulation in Great Britain. Under takings not based in Northern 
Ireland or the European Union must establish an Only representative in Northern Ireland or the 
European Union for the purpose of compliance with the F -gas Regulation in Northern Ireland.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 20 - 
 
  5. Legal basis:  
 
Regulation (EU) 517/2 014 as it applies in Great Britain as retained EU law, and as it applies in 
Northern Ireland directly.  
The Ozone -Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Greenhouse Ga ses (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) 
Regulations 2019  
 
The Ozone -Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) 
Regulations 2020  
 
Procedures:  
6. The following responses relate to the import and export of F -gases (including HFCs) in Great 
Britain. For further information for Northern Ireland, please refer to the questionnaire on import 
licensing procedures for the European Union.  
Guidance on procedures for quota allocation and licences can be found on: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fluorinated -gas-f-gas-guidance -for-users -producers -
and-traders  
Article 15, a, b & c of the F -gas Regulation establishes the quota requirements regarding bulk HFCs.  
 
The quota requirement does not apply to quantities of less than 100 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of 
HFC per year and also not to the following categories of HFCs:  
 
a) imported for destruction;  
b) used by a producer as feedstock;  
c) supplied directly by a producer or an importer to undertakings, for export where those HFCs 
are not subsequently made available to any other party  to export;  
d) supplied directly by a producer or an importer for use in military equipment;  
e) supplied directly by a producer or an importer to an undertaking using it for the etching of 
semiconductor material or the cleaning of chemicals vapour deposition cha mbers within the 
semiconductor manufacturing sector;  
f) supplied directly by a producer or an importer to an undertaking producing metered dose 
inhalers for the delivery of pharmaceutical ingredients.  
 
However, registration requirements remain for companies i mporting for the exempted uses listed 
above (except for the amounts <100t CO2).  
 
I. Reference values for the quota allocation are calculated every 3 years and the quota updated 
annually based on any requests for additional quota. The names of the undertaki ngs with a 
quota reference value are publicly available, by request to the Environment Agency, whereas 
the values are commercially confidential.  
 
Each year (usually around June) the Environment Agency publishes guidance on GOV.UK  
about the annual quota procedure for the following year. The notice informs about the relevant 
details of the quota application process including the deadlines. At a point in the year, most 
likely around June, the Environment Agency will publicise that th e quota window will open for 
two months. The Environment Agency will calculate the quotas of applicants by the end of 
October.  
 
Companies report on quantities imported and exported by 31 March in the year following the 
activity. Companies report to the En vironment Agency using reporting forms on GOV.UK . The 
reporting  format is specified in Regulation (EU) 517/2014 as it is retained in Great Britain and 
as it applies in Northern Ireland directly . 
 
II. Quota is issued on a yearly basis. It is based on the ac count amounts of HFC each company 
has historically placed on the market (tri -annual reference values) since 2015 and annual 
declarations made regarding the intention to place additional HFCs on the market. The quotas 
are calculated in accordance with the p hase-down schedule in Annex V Regulation (EU) G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 21 - 
 
  517/2014 Regulation and by applying an allocation mechanism laid down in Annex VI to 
Regulation (EU) 517/2014.  
 
Undertakings that have not historically placed HFCs on the market ( "new entrants ") may apply 
for quota from the new entrant reserve (11% of the total quota allocation) by registering with 
the Environment Agency on the F -gas registration, quota and reporting service and declaring 
their intention to place HFCs on the market the following year. New entran t quota is allocated 
pro rata between all eligible applicants. After 3 years, new entrants are allocated a reference 
value and become incumbent quota holders.  
 
Pursuant to Article 16 of the F -gas Regulation, the quotas of HFCs are allocated to the 
undertakings annually by the Environment Agency based on a system that takes into account 
amounts  historically placed on the market by certain companies and declarations made by 
any undertaking intending to place HFCs on the market. The phase -down steps ar e defined in 
accordance with Annex  V of the F -gas Regulation and the mechanism to calculate the size of 
the quotas is laid down in Annex VI.  
 
III. Unused quota is valid only for the year , it is allocated and can only be used for either import 
or productio n. Quota can be transferred to another bulk quota holder, authorised to an 
equipment importer, and subsequently delegated to further equipment importers. The names 
of the undertakings with a quota are publicly available, by request to the Environment Agenc y, 
whereas the values are commercially confidential.  
 
IV. The validity of the registration on the F -gas registration, quota and reporting service is in 
principle time unlimited. The timeframe for the registration can vary depending on information 
provided by the company but is usually completed within 20 working days if the provided 
information is accurate and complete. Companies must be registered before they can get a 
quota.  
 
V. Min and max length of registry requests – 1 day to a few months – depending o n completeness 
and accurateness of information provided. Registration in the F -gas registration, quota and 
reporting service can happen all year long. Applications for quota can only be made during a 
declaration period to be determined annually by the Envi ronment Agency and published in a 
notice on GOV.UK  each year.  
 
VI. Import may only occur when a company has enough quota after having been registered to 
import. Hence, it is the annual quota allocation cycle that is decisive. Usually, the declaration 
deadline is in June/July in the year preceding the year where the quota is becoming valid.  
 
VII. The Environment Agency is the single administrative organisation involved in the process.  
 
VIII. Quota is allocated based on historic amounts placed on the market (tri-annual reference value) 
since 2015 and annual declarations on the intention to place on the market. The latter quotas 
are allocated on a pro rata basis. See Article 16 and Annex VI of the F -gas Regulation.  
 
IX.  Not applicable  
 
X. Not applicable.  
 
XI. Not applicable.  
 
7. Not applicable.  
 
8. Companies that meet the ordinary criteria set out in Regulation (EU) 517/2014 and are registered. 
The Environment Agency may refuse, suspend or cancel a registration if the criteria are not fulfille d. 
Incomplete applications or incorrect information supplied to the Environment Agency would result in 
an inability to register an organisation and applicant would be advised as necessary. There is no 
right of appeal set out in legislation. Applicants can complain against the decision to the EA.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. An undertaking that constitutes a natural or legal person can request registration in the F -gas 
System. Undertakings registered to import HFCs in bulk can, after val idation, apply for HFC quota.  
 
Registration is compulsory for the following:  
 
(a) producers and importers to which a quota for the placing on the market of hydrofluorocarbons 
has been allocated in accordance with Article 16(5) ; 
(b) undertakings to which a quota is transferred in accordance with Article 18;  
(c) producers and importers declaring their intention to submit a declaration pursuant to 
Article  16(2);  
(d) producers and importers supplying, or undertakings in receipt of hydrofluorocarbons for the 
purposes li sted in points (a) to (f) of the second subparagraph of Article 15(2);  
(e) importers of equipment placing pre -charged equipment on the market where the 
hydrofluorocarbons contained in the equipment have not been placed on the market prior to 
the charging of th at equipment in accordance with Article 14;  
(f) any undertaking importing fluorinated gases needs to be registered before undertaking such 
activities in accordance with Article 19.  
 
This service is free of charge.  
 
The list of companies with quota reference values is available on request from the Environment 
Agency. For Northern Ireland, the European Union publishes the details of the quota holders.  
 
Companies intending to import in bulk or import refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump 
equipm ent charged with HFCs can request registration (licence) in the registry. The detailed 
requirements for registrations are laid down in Regulation (EU) 517/2014 and, Implementing 
Regulation  2019/661 as they are retained in Great Britain and as they apply in  Northern Ireland 
directly.  
 
Articles 17 and 19 of the Regulation (EU) 517/2014 imposes an obligation for actors in the HFCs 
market in Great Britain to register with the Environment Agency on the F -gas registration, quota 
and reporting service, and in Nor thern Ireland with the European Commission. In Great Britain, 
companies register by using webforms on GOV.UK  and this information is stored in a spreadsheet 
operated by the Environment Agency. Only companies with a prior valid registration can import and 
export HFCs into and from Great Britain. For further information on the procedures in place in 
Northern Ireland, please refer to the questionnaire on import licensing procedures for the European 
Union, Fluorinated gases including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) . 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The general information requirements for a registration licence is laid down in Regulation (EU) 
517/2014 as it is retained in Great Britain and as it applies in Northern Ireland directly.  
 
For undertakings established in the United Kingdom (UK)  
 
a) name and legal form of the undertaking;  
b) full address;  
c) telephone number;  
d) VAT number;  
e) Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number;  
f) the full name of one contact person;  
g) a description of the undertaking's business activities;  
h) written confirmati on of the undertaking's intention to register in the registry signed by a 
beneficial owner or employee of the undertaking;  
i) bank account details – and validated.  
 
For undertakings established outside the UK and that have mandated a single representative as 
referred to in Article 16(5) of Regulation (EU) 517/2014.  
 
(a) the information listed in points (a), (b) and (c) above;  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 23 - 
 
  (b) the information listed in points (d), (e) and (i) above, but with respect to the Only 
Representative rather than the undertaking;  
(c) the full name of one contact who satisfies the conditions in points f) (i) and (ii) above, and an 
individual electronic address used for professional purposes by that person;  
(d) an electronic address for the Only Representative;  
(e) a description of the undertaking's business activities;  
(f) the written confirmation listed in point (h) above but signed additionally by a beneficial owner 
or employee of the only representative.  
 
11. Upon importation of bulk HFCs no additional documents are required. Upon im portation of 
refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with HFCs , a declaration of 
conformity is required from equipment importers.  
 
Article 14 of the F -gas Regulation establishes the requirements related to the placing on the market 
of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with HFCs inter alia  the link to 
the quota system and the declaration of conformity to this end. These conditions apply to all placing 
on the market, including for imported equipment released for free circulation. The purpose of this 
provision is to safeguard the environmenta l integrity of the phase -down of bulk HFCs.  
 
Normal customs procedures apply.  
 
12. Any undertaking which is defined as natural or legal person can register on the F -gas registration, 
quota and reporting service after verification. This service is free of c harge.  
 
13. No deposit or advanced payment is required.  
 
Conditions of licensing and quota allocation  
14. Registration licence is valid until cancelled by the Environment Agency (or European Commission 
in respect of Northern Ireland) or the company. Bulk quotas are valid only for the year for which 
they are allocated.  
 
15. There is no penalty for unused licences or quota. Undertakings that have exceeded their quota 
are allocated a reduced quota allocation for the allocation period after the excess has been detected. 
The amount of reduction is calculated as 200 % of the amount by which the quota was exceeded . 
 
16. According to Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 517 /2014 bulk quota allocated can be transferred to 
other bulk importers or producers. Only the par t of quota based on reference values can be 
transferred. The part based on declarations cannot be transferred. This is to prevent declarations 
for quota with the sole purpose of selling the quota.  
 
17. Not applicable.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Not applicable.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
1.6  Harvested Timber  
Outline of system  
1. The FLEGT ( Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade)  licensing scheme is a voluntary 
scheme to ensure that only legally harvested timber is imported into the UK from countries with 
which the UK concludes bilateral FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs). Under the scheme 
a partner country issues FLEGT  licences for every shipment of timber products covered by the 
agreement exported to the UK. The release for free circulation in the UK of such shipments is 
conditional on the acceptance by the UK competent authority of the FLEGT licence. The competent 
authority may verify the authenticity of the FLEGT licence and its conformity with the shipment that 
it covers.   
  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Timber products (defined in the Agreements by HS codes) exported from FLEGT partner countries 
to the UK a re covered by a FLEGT licence issued by the licensing authority of that country. The 
FLEGT licence demonstrates that the timber products have complied with relevant legislation as set 
out in the corresponding bilateral FLEGT VPAs. Once operational , the imp lementation of the licensing 
scheme requires that imports of relevant timber products into the UK be made subject to a system 
of checks and controls so that only FLEGT licensed timber will be imported to the UK.   
 
Timber products to which the FLEGT licens ing scheme applies irrespective of the partner country:  
 
Product Description  HS code  
Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared  4403 
Railway or tramway sleepers (cross -ties) of wood  4406 
Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or 
end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm  4407 
Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by slicing laminated wood), for plywood or 
for other similar laminated wood and other woo d, sawn lengthwise, sliced or peeled, 
whether or not planed, sanded, spliced or end -jointed, of a thickness not exceeding 6mm  4408 
Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood  4412 
 
Timber products to which the FLEGT licensing scheme applies only in relation to the Republic of 
Indonesia:  
 
Product description  HS Code  
Fuel wood, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or in similar forms; wood in chips or 
particles ; sawdust and wood waste and scrap,  
whether or not agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms.  
- Wood in chips or particles -- coniferous  
- Wood in chips or particles -- non coniferous (not from bamboo nor rattan)   
 
 
4401.21  
Ex. 4401.22  
Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared. 
(Prohibited from export under the Indonesian law. In line with Articl e 3(3) of the VPA, 
products under this HS code may not be FLEGT licensed and therefore may not be imported 
into the United Kingdom).  4403 
Chipwood and the like - coniferous  
Chipwood and the like - non-coniferous -- Chipwood  Ex. 4404.10  
Ex. 4404.20  
Hoopwood ; split poles; piles, pickets and stakes of wood, pointed but not sawn lengthwise; 
wooden sticks, roughly trimmed, but not turned, bent or otherwise worked, suitable for the 
manufacture of walking -sticks, umbrellas, tool handles or the like. (Prohibited fr om export 
under the Indonesian law. In line with Article 3(3) of the VPA, products under this HS code 
may not be FLEGT licensed and therefore may not be imported into the United Kingdom).  Ex. 4404  
Railway or tramway sleepers (cross -ties) of wood. (Prohib ited from export under the 
Indonesian law. In line with Article 3(3) of the VPA, products under this HS code may not 
be FLEGT licensed and therefore may not be imported into the United Kingdom).  4406 
Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, planed, sanded or end -jointed, of a 
thickness exceeding 6 mm.  Ex. 4407 
Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, not planed, not sanded or not end -
jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm. (Prohib ited from export under the Indonesian law. 
In line with Article 3(3) of the VPA, products under this HS code may not be FLEGT licensed 
and therefore may not be imported into the United Kingdom).  Ex. 4407  
Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by s licing laminated wood), for plywood or 
for similar laminated wood and other wood, sawn lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or 
not planed, sanded, spliced or end -jointed, of a thickness not exceeding 6 mm Coniferous  4408.10  
Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Me ranti, and Meranti Bakau  4408.31  
Other, except coniferous, Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Meranti, and Meranti Bakau  4408.39  
Other, except coniferous and tropical wood specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter 
(not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4408.90  
Wood (including strips and friezes for parquet flooring, not assembled) continuously shaped 
(tongued, grooved, rebated, chamfered, V -jointed, beaded, moulded, rounded or the like) 
along any of its edges, ends or faces, whether or not planed, sanded or end -jointed.  
 - Coniferous –  
-  Non-coniferous – other (not from rattan)   
 
 
4409.10  
Ex. 4409.29  
Particle board, oriented strand board (OSB) and similar board (for example, waferboard) 
of wood or other ligneous materials, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other 
organic binding substances  
- Of wood -- Particle board (not from bamboo nor ratta n)  
 
 
Ex. 4410.11  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 25 - 
 
  Product description  HS Code  
- Of wood -- Oriented strand board (OSB) (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4410.12  
Of wood -- Other (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4410.19  
Fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials, whether or not bonded with resins or other 
organic substances (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4411  
Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood  
- Other plywood, consisting solely of sheets of wood (other than bamboo), each ply not 
exceeding 6 mm thickness: -- With at least one outer ply o f tropical wood specified in 
Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter  4412.31  
- Other plywood, consisting solely of sheets of wood (other than bamboo), each ply not 
exceeding 6 mm thickness: -- Other, with at least one outer ply of non -coniferous wood   4412.32  
- Other plywood, consisting solely of sheets of wood (other than bamboo), each ply not 
exceeding 6 mm thickness: -- Other  4412.39  
- Other: -- Blockboard, laminboard and battenboard (not from rattan)  Ex. 4412.94  
- Other: -- Other: --- Barecore (wood waste glued together) (not from rattan) and --- Other 
(not from rattan)  Ex. 4412.99  
Densified wood, in blocks, plates, strips or profile shapes (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4413  
Wooden frames for paintings, photo graphs, mirrors or similar objects (not from bamboo 
nor rattan)  Ex. 4414  
Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, of wood; cable -drums of wood; 
pallets, box pallets and other load boards, of wood; pallet collars of wood (not from bamboo 
nor rattan)  Ex. 4415  
Casks, barrels, vats, tubs and other coopers' products and parts thereof, of wood, including 
staves (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4416  
Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles, of wood; boot or shoe 
lasts and trees, of wood (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4417  
Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, including cellular wood panels, assembled flooring 
panels, shingles and shakes (not from bamboo nor rattan)  Ex. 4418  
Tableware and kitchenware, of woo d (not from bamboo and rattan)  Ex. 4419  
Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; caskets and cases for jewellery or cutlery, and similar 
articles, of wood.  
 - Other -- Wood in the form of logs or squared logs with simple process in the surface, 
carved or finely th readed or painted, does not have significant added -value and no 
significant change in shape (HS Ex. 4420.90.90.00 in Indonesia) (Prohibited from export 
under the Indonesian law. In line with Article 3(3) of the VPA, products under this HS code 
may not be F LEGT licensed and therefore may not be imported into the United Kingdom).   
 
Ex. 4420.90  
Other articles of wood  
- Other -- Match splints (not from bamboo nor rattan) and -- Other --- Wooden paving 
blocks (not from bamboo nor rattan)   
Ex. 4421.90  
- Other -- Other --- Wood in the form of logs or squared logs with simple process in the 
surface, carved or finely threaded or painted, does not have significant added -value and 
no significant change in shape (HS Ex. 4421.90.99.00 in Indonesia) (Prohibited  from export 
under the Indonesian law. In line with Article 3(3) of the VPA, products under this HS code 
may not be FLEGT licensed and therefore may not be imported into the United Kingdom).  Ex. 4421.90  
 Chapter 47  
Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or 
paperboard: Mechanical wood pulp   4701 
Chemical wood pulp, dissolving grades  4702 
Chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, other than dissolving grades.  4703 
Chemical wood pulp, sulphite, other than dissolving grades  4704 
Wood pulp obtained by a combination of mechanical and chemical pulping processes  4705 
 Chapter 48  
Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic 
purposes, and non -perforated punch -cards a nd punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular 
(including square) sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand -
made paper and paperboard (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4802  
Toilet or facial tissue stock, towel or napkin stock and similar paper of a kind used for 
household or sanitary purposes, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, whether or 
not creped, crinkled, embossed, perforated, surface -coloured, surface -decorated or 
printed, in rolls or sheets (no t from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4803  
Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading 4802 
or 4803 (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4804 
Other Uncoated paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheet s, not further worked or processed 
than as specify in Note 3 to this chapter (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4805  
Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, tracing papers and glassine and other glazed 
transparent or translucent papers, in r olls or sheets (not from non -wooden nor recycled 
material)  Ex. 4806  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Product description  HS Code  
Composite paper and paperboard (made by sticking flat layers of paper or paperboard 
together with an adhesive), not surface -coated or impregnated, whether or not internally 
reinforced, in  rolls or sheets (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4807  
Paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, 
crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets, other than paper of the kind described 
in heading 4803 (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4808  
Carbon paper, self -copy paper and other copying or transfer papers (including coated or 
impregnated paper for duplicator stencils or offset plates), whether or not printed, in rolls 
or sheets (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4809  
Paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin (China clay) or other 
inorganic substances, with or without binder, and with no other coating, whether or not 
surface -coloured, surface -decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) 
sheets, of any size (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4810  
Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coated, impregnated, 
covered, surface -coloured, surface -decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including 
square) sheets, of any size, other than goods of the kind described in heading 4803, 4809 
or 4810 (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4811  
Filter blocks, slabs and plates, of paper pulp (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4812  
Cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form booklets or tubes (not from non -
wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4813  
Wallpaper and similar wall covering; wi ndow transparencies of paper (not from non -wooden 
nor recycled material)  Ex. 4814  
Carbon paper, self -copy paper and other copying or transfer papers (other than those of 
heading 4809), duplicator stencils and offset plates, of paper, whether or not put up  in 
boxes (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4816  
Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, of paper or paper 
board; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard, 
containing an assortment of paper stationary (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4817  
Toilet paper and similar paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, of a kind used 
for household or sanitary purposes, in rolls of a width not exceeding 36 cm, or cut to size 
or shape; handkerchief, cleansing tissues, towels, tablecloths, serviettes, napkins for 
babies, tampons, bed sheets and similar household, sanitary or hospital articles, articles of 
apparel and clothing accessories, of paper pulp, paper, cel lulose wadding or webs of 
cellulose fibres (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4818  
Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed (not from non -wooden nor 
recycled material)  Ex. 4821  
Bobbins, spools, cops and similar support  of paper pulp, paper or paper board whether or 
not perforated or hardened (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4822  
Other paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs cellulose fibres, cut to size or shape; 
other articles of paper pulp, paper , paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose 
fibres (not from non -wooden nor recycled material)  Ex. 4823  
Note: Paper products originating from non -wooden or recycled material are accompanied 
by a formal letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Indus try validating the use of non -
wooden or recycled materials. Such products will not be FLEGT licensed.   
 Chapter 94  
Seats (other than those of heading 94.02), whether or not convertible into beds, and parts 
thereof  
- Other seats, with wooden frames: -- Upholstered   
 
9401.61  
- Other seats, with wooden frames: -- Other  9401.69  
Other furniture and parts thereof  
- Wooden furniture of a kind used in offices   
9403.30  
- Wooden furniture of a kind used in the kitchen  9403.40  
- Wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom  9403.50  
- Other wooden furniture  9403.60  
- Parts: -- Other (HS 9403.90.90 in Indonesia)  Ex. 9403.90  
Prefabricated buildings  
- Other prefabricated buildings: -- Of wood (HS 9406.00.92 in Indonesia)   
Ex. 9406.00  
 Chapter 97  
Original engravings, prints and lithographs.  
Wood in the form of logs or squared logs with simple process in the surface, carved or 
finely threaded or painted, does not have significant added -value and no significant change 
in shape (HS Ex. 9702.00.00.00 in Indonesia) (Prohibited from export under the Indonesian 
law. In line with Article 3(3) of the VPA, products 25 under this HS code may not be FLEGT 
licensed and therefore may not be imported into the United Kingdom).   
Ex. 9702.00  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 27 - 
 
  3. FLEGT licensing scheme will be operational between the UK and Indonesia.  
 
4. The FLEGT licensing system has been put in place so that countries exporting to the UK can 
demonstrate that their exports of timber products to the UK are from legal sources. The  scheme 
does not impose any restrictions neither in terms of quantity nor in terms of volumes to the imported 
goods. While the CITES Convention regulates trade in endangered species, including certain timber 
species, it does not cover the bulk of the timbe r trade. In the light of public concerns about imports 
of illegally harvested timber and the negative impact on perceptions of the timber sector , a bilateral 
approach to address the issue together with interested countries, accompanied by capacity building  
measures, was considered an appropriate measure to protect the environment from illegal logging. 
An alternative approach could have been to rely on voluntary certification schemes; however,  this 
would not provide the economies of scale or impact of a nati onal approach and may not have 
adequately taken into account the role of producer governments in ensuring compliance with their 
relevant legislation.  
 
5.  
• Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for 
imports of timber into the European Community and implementing regulations ; 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No  1024/2008 of 17 October 2008 laying down detailed measures 
for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a 
FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community ; 
• The Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Regulations 2012 ;  
• The Timber and Timber Products (placing on the Market) Regulations 2013 ;  
• The Timber and Timber Products and FLEGT (EU E xit) Regulations 2018 ; 
• The Environment and Wildlife (Legislative Functions) (EU exit) Regulations 2019 ; 
• The Timber and Timber Products and FLEGT (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulation 2020.  
 
FLEGT licensing is a statutory requirement at country level for those c ountries that enter into bilateral 
FLEGT VPAs. Once the parties have decided to make the scheme operational the products in scope 
are listed in an annex to the VPA and the FLEGT Regulation; the product list can be extended if both 
parties agree and the VPA  is amended accordingly. The VPA provides provisions for each party to 
terminate the VPA 12 months after notification if desired.   
 
The UK also transposed Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products 
on the market (OJ  L 295, 12.11.2010, p. 23), also known as the EU Timber Regulation or EUTR into 
UK domestic law as the UK timber Regulation. Valid FLEGT licenses (and CITES permits) ar e 
considered to automatically comply with the requirements of the UK Timber Regulation.  
 
Procedures  
6. The products concerned are not under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports. Replies 
from I to XI below are therefore not pertinent . 
 
7.(a)  Under the VPA a FLEGT licence is issued by the partner country before a shipment is exported. 
A UK importer of such a shipment does not need to apply for an import licence from the UK 
competent authority. A UK importer shall lodge the original FLEGT l icence, as issued at the 
time of export of the shipment from the partner country, for acceptance and verification with 
the UK competent authority (Office for Product Safety and Standards).  
 
If justified and subject to verification that the shipment meets the relevant conditions, it is 
generally possible for a FLEGT licence to be re -issued by the partner country in case of 
unforeseen circumstances.   
 
(b)  The procedures established by the partner country determine whether a license can be granted 
immediate ly upon request or not.  
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or 
importation may be made.  
 
(d)  As indicated above, licenses are issued by the exporting country and not by the UK. Prior to 
export the importer should be provided with a FLEGT license which they share with UK G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 28 - 
 
  Competent Authority for verification, after which HMRC clearance hub matches to relevant 
customs checks on arrival, but prior to release for free circulation.  
 
8. The issuance  of a licence is the responsibility of the partner country; the procedures in case of 
refusal are therefore subject to the partner countries' rules . 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. There are no import licenses for FLEGT; only the exporting partner country, e.g. Indonesia, can 
issue a FLEGT license for export to the UK. However, the UK importer will need to pay a fee of £9.60 
to the UK Competent Authority for verification of the FLEGT licence.  
 
Documentation and other requirements f or application for license  
10. The information required to apply for a FLEGT licence is set out in the FLEGT VPA and is subject 
to the rules of the exporting partner country. The format of the FLEGT licence is set out in an Annex 
of each FLEGT VPA. A UK im porter needs to lodge the original of the FLEGT licence to the UK 
competent authority and the relevant copy with HMRC clearance hub.  
 
11.  A FLEGT licence is cross referenced to the customs declaration for release for free circulation.  
 
12. The licensing fee is £9.60 . 
 
13. Not applicable as the UK does not issue the licences.   
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The period of validity of FLEGT licences from a given partner country is set out in the 
corresponding bilateral FLEGT VPA. The validity ca n be extended by the issuing country upon request 
if adequately justified.   
 
15. No, there is no penalty for the non -utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence . 
 
16. The licences are not transferable between importers. The FLEGT licence does name the importer; 
the name of the importer on the FLEGT licence can however be amended by the issuing country 
upon request if adequately justified.   
 
17. Evidence of complian ce with relevant legislation, as set out in the relevant FLEGT VPA.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. All other usual imp ort requirements still apply.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
1.7  Waste shipment  
Outline of system  
1. This section provides a description of the UK waste shipment notification scheme as established 
by the UK rules and procedures for the transboundary shipments of waste .   
 
The import of waste into the UK is for wastes  controlled under a licensing system2 administered by 
the UK competent authorities. Its requirements are tied in with those of the Basel Convention on the 
Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, and an OECD decision 
on transboundary movements of waste for re covery.  
 
  
 
2 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing -and-exporting -waste#notification -controls -how-to-comply   G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 29 - 
 
  Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. In accordance with the UK 's obligations under the Basel convention and the Organisation for 
Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD), the regulation applies to all shipments of waste 
to, from or transit ing through the UK.  
 
3. The licensing system implements the UK 's legal obligations as a Party to the Basel Convention 
and as a member of the OECD. It applies to all waste shipments to, from or transiting the United 
Kingdom.  
 
4. The notification system ensures that the UK 's commitments as a party to the Basel Convention 
and a member of the OECD are upheld. To that effect, transboundary movements of hazardous 
wastes and other wastes are to be reduced to the minimum, consistent with the environmenta lly 
sound and efficient management of such wastes and to be conducted in a manner that will protect 
human health and the environment against the adverse effects which may result from such 
movement. The UK procedures applicable for the shipment of hazardous  wastes are not intended to 
restrict the quantity or value of imports.  
 
5. The UK 's legal framework for this scheme is the retained Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste as amended by the Internati onal 
Waste Shipments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, The International Waste Shipments 
(Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006) Regulations 2020, The International Waste 
Shipments (Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 and 1418/2007) Regulat ions 2021.  
 
These regulations can be viewed at the following address:  
 
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/590/made   
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1455/made  
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/785/made   
 
Licensing is a statuto ry requirement for the import of any hazardous waste listed in schedules to the 
Basel Convention or OECD Council Decisions.  
 
As a result of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the 
European Parliament and of the Counci l on shipments of waste continues to be directly applicable in 
Northern Ireland.  
 
Procedures  
6. The wastes concerned are not under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports. Exports of 
waste for disposal are subject to a general prohibition, this is to implement a government policy to 
support self -sufficiency in the disposal of wastes.  
 
7.(a) License applications should be lodged in advance of the importation to allow for sufficient time 
for the competent authorities to produce a response. Deadlines to be respected are laid down 
in the UK legislation. Within these time constraints still, the processing time for a notification 
varies from case to case, depending primarily on the time taken by the competent authorities 
of the exporting economies concerned to provide feedback for the application, and on whether 
the application form is duly completed and lodged with all the required supporting documents.  
 
(b) Licenses are issued only after the consent by the competent authorit ies of the economies  
involved with a requirement under the UK regulations for determination of the justification for 
import and the fitness of the processing organisation to treat the material in an 
environmentally sound manner.  
 
(c) There are no limitatio ns as to the period of the year during which a license application may be 
made.  
 
(d)    For notifiable shipments of waste, the submission of a license application is made by the 
notifier to the competent authorities of the country of dispatch and prior consent for the 
shipment needs to be obtained from the competent authorities of all countries concerned 
(dispatch, transit and destination). The competent authorities in the UK are:  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 30 - 
 
   
- In England, the Environment Agency  
- In Wales, Natural Resources Wales  
- In Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency  
- In Northern Ire land, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency  
 
8. Apart from statutory requirements, there are requirements under the Basel Convention for all 
States of Transit to control t he trans -boundary movement of hazardous waste. Refusal to accept the 
movement by any such state shall cause the State of export to deny a license. The reasons for 
objections to shipments for disposal and recovery are set out in the UK Plan for Waste Shipme nts 
and Articles 11 and 12 of retained Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and 
of the Council on shipments of waste.   
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. Any natural or legal person, firm or institution may apply for a license. Fees to process license 
applications are charged by the competent authorities, the level of fee is determined by the planned 
number of shipments. There is no published list of lic ensed importers or exporters as licenses are 
granted for an individual shipment rather that a blanket license to import or export waste.  
 
There must be a contract in place between the exporter and importer before the waste is shipped.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. In accordance with Article 4 of retained Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste, the application shall be effected by means of 
the notification document set out in Annex IA and the movement document set out in Annex IB of 
the Regulations. Together with Annex IA and IB, the notifier sha ll also supply the information listed 
in Annex II, Part 1 and Part 2 of the Regulation, respectively. Competent authorities may require 
additional information and documentation as listed in Annex II, Part 3 of the Regulation.  
 
11. A copy of the approved no tification and waste movement form.  
 
12. Detailed information on fees is available on GOV.UK  at 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste -miscellaneo us-charging -scheme -2019   
 
13. A financial guarantee, or equivalent insurance, shall be established by the notifier or by another 
natural or legal person on its behalf and shall be effective at the time of the notification or, if the 
competent authority which approves the financial guarantee or equivalent insurance so allows, when 
the shipment starts, and shall apply to the notified shipment at the latest when the shipment ends. 
This financial guarantee or equivalent insurance shall cover: (a) c osts of transport; (b) costs of 
recovery or disposal, including any necessary interim operation; and (c) costs of storage for 90 days 
pursuant to Article 6 of The International Waste Shipments (Amendment) (EU Exit) 
Regulations  2019.  
 
Conditions of licensi ng 
14. Under the UK legislation the import license is valid for a period of up to 12 months, with the 
possibility of an extension up to 36 months (in certain circumstances ) and  covers the amount and 
number of shipments of the waste as noted in the applicat ion. 
 
15. No penalty for non -utilization.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.  
 
17. All applications must identify the maximum amount of the waste that is intended to be covered 
by the licence. This limit cannot be exceeded. In addition, t he applicant is provided with specific 
conditions that form part of the license that usually relate specifically to the transport, treatment 
and/or disposal of the waste.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18. None . 
 
19. Not applicable . 
 
2  HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE  
2.1  Civil explosives  
Outline of system  
1. With certain limited exemptions , an authorisation is required for the acquisition of explosives.  
 
With certain exemptions, importers must apply for a Transfer Document which authorises the 
transfer of the explosives into the UK. A Recipient Competent Authority (RCA) document is required 
for the domestic transfer of explosives.   
 
Manufacturers or importers are required to mark most civil explosives with a unique identification 
code. Where it is required  the unique identification code must be marked on (or in certain cases 
attached to) each individual item. Different marking requirements apply depending on the size of 
the explosive.  
 
Those who wish to import explosives into the UK should ensure that the e xplosives have been 
assigned a hazard classification by a signatory to the European Agreement Concerning for 
International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and hold a Competent Authority 
Document (CAD) , which specifies the hazard classification an d any conditions in relation to the 
transport of the explosives.  
 
Further information is available on the HSE website .  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. The provisions set out above apply to explosives as defined in the Explosives Regulations 2014 
(as amended). Explosive means (a) any explosive article or explosive substance which would (i) if 
packaged for transport, be classified in accordance with the  United Nations Recommendations as 
falling within Class 1; or ii) be classified in accordance with the United Nations recommendations as 
(aa) being unduly sensitive or so reactive as to be subject to spontaneous reaction and accordingly 
too dangerous to tr ansport, and (bb) falling within Class 1; or (b) a desensitised explosive.   
 
For the purposes of transport and hazard classification this applies to articles and substances which 
would be classified in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations as  falling within Class  1. 
 
3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.  
 
4. Licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The purpose of licensing is 
to protect human, animal or plant life and health and to protect the environment.  
 
5. The licensing provisions are set out under the provisions of the Explosives Regulations 2014 (as 
amended).3 Licensing is statutorily required,  and the designation of products subjected to licensing 
is set out in the Regulations. The licensing provisions in the Explosives Regulations 2014 are 
unaffected by the amendments made by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) 
(EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc .) (UK(NI) 
Indication) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.  These amendments are specific to the conformity 
 
3 Specific arrangements for the importation of c ivil explosives into Northern Ireland in accordance with 
the requirements of European Directive 2014/28 relating to the making available on the market and supervision 
of explosives for civil uses  continue to apply in NI by virtue of the Protocol on Ireland /Northern Ireland to the 
Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European 
Union and the European Atomic Energy Community . In NI, these  Directive  requirements  are transposed by The 
Making Available on  the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 
and The Identification and Traceability of Explosives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 32 - 
 
  assessment marking provisions of the regulations.  It is not possible for the Government to abolish 
the system without legislative approval.  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable . 
 
7.(a) Licences should be in place before explosives reach the UK Border and are imported. Further 
information is available on the HSE website . Applications for transfer documents,  site codes 
and hazard classifications are generally processed within 1 month of receipt of all necessary 
information.   
 
(b)   No. A licence cannot be granted immediately on request.  
 
(c)   No. There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and 
or importation may be made.  
 
(d)  Yes, the application is considered by a single administrative organ (Health and Safety Executive). 
Applications  for import into NI are considered by the Department of Justice in Nor thern Ireland.  
 
8. The reasons for any refusal are given to the applicant in writing. There is no right of appeal against 
a refusal to grant a transfer document, site code or hazard classification, although refusal is 
extremely rare. Refusal will occur if  the applicant  is deemed unsuitable, does not have a certificate 
to acquire or keep explosives, or the site to which they want to transfer the explosives is not a 
licensed site.   
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences. The system is restrictive insofar 
as the applicant for a licence must first apply for and obtain authorisation from the local police 
authority for a certificate to acquire or acquir e and keep any relevant explosive. A certificate is issued 
to the applicant if the chief officer of police is satisfied that the applicant is a fit person. Fees are 
payable for the issue of both the certificate and the licence.  
 
Documentation and other req uirements for application for licence  
10. Further detail on the  information required in applications  is available on the HSE website .  
 
11. To apply for a GB Transfer , a company must supply us with a completed LP50 (GB Transfer 
form), with all relevant sections completed. They must also supply us with a valid Acquire & Keep 
Document and/or a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) document depending on what explosives they 
wish to transfer. All licences are required to import civil explosives.  
 
12. Further detail on the  fees payable for applications  is available on the HSE website . 
 
13. Currently th ere is no fee when applying to transfer explosives into GB. Further details on the  
other fees that may be payable for applications  is available on the HSE website.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The period of validity of a licence depends on the type of licence and will be stated on the licence.  
Some licences can be renewed, through the application process.    
 
15. No, there is no penalty for the non -utilization of a licence or a  portion of a licence.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.  
 
17. The conditions of each licence will be set out in the licence document.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 33 - 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18. With certain limited exemptions authorisations are required for the acquisition, keeping, storage 
and/ or manufacture of explosives. Authorisations to acquire explosives are granted by the Police, 
while licences to store and/or manufacture explosives a re granted by the Police, Local Authority or 
HSE, depending on the type and quantity of explosives. Both may be required before explosives can 
be lawfully kept in the UK. Applications for authorisations to acquire  or acquire and keep explosives 
granted by the Police are subject to the time taken to complete all necessary security assessments.  
Licences for the manufacture and/or storage of explosives are subject to the time taken to undertake 
a full assessment of the proposed storage locations and suitabili ty checks of the applicant. If an 
importer can arrange third party storage arrangements, then a licence to store may not be required 
before explosives are imported.  
 
19. Not applicable . 
 
3  HOME OFFICE  
3.1  Drug precursors  
Outline of system  
1. The drug precursor control system allows the United Kingdom to meet its international treaty 
obligations under the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 UN Convention on 
Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 UN Convention Against the Illicit Traffic  in Narcotic Drugs 
and Psychotropic Substances.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Regulations require that all imports, exports and intermediary activities involving precursor  
chemicals be documented by operators.  
  
Applications for authorisations mus t contain full information about the transport arrangements, 
name and address of all operators involved, and nature, quantity and weight of the substance being 
traded.  
 
Drug precursors are divided into 4 categories:  
• Category 1: the most sensitive substances, such as piperonal, chloroephedrine and 
ergometrine ; 
• Category 2: less sensitive substances and pre -precursors, such as acetic anhydride, 
piperidine and phenylacetic acid ; 
• Category 3: bulk chemicals that can have different uses, such as toluene, methyl ethyl 
ketone (MEK) and sulphuric acid ; 
• Category 4: medicinal products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine . 
 
The need for import and/or export licences depends on several factors, such as which category 
substance falls into and the quantity. Please see the full chart covering the goods here:  
Precursor chemical import and export authorisation wallc hart - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  
  
4. Prevent the diversion of precursor and essential chemicals into the illicit manufacture of drugs.  
 
The objective of the system  is to prevent the diversion of drug precursors for illicit manufacture 
while maintaining a competitive market for legitimate trade.  
 
5. The  legislation and regulations under which the drug precursor systems are controlled are laid 
out below.4 
 
4 Specific arrangements apply in Northern Ireland including by virtue of t he Protocol on Ireland/Northern 
Ireland. Further details on the operation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland can be found at: 
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the -northern -ireland -protocol  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 34 - 
 
  - Regulatio n (EC) 273/2004  of the European Parliament and Council of 11 February 2004 on 
drug precursors (Retained EU Legislation)  
- Council Regulation (EC) 111/2005  of 22 December 2004 laying down rules f or the monitoring 
of trade  between the Community and third countries in drug precursors (Retained EU 
Legislation)  
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/1011 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 
273/2204 of the European Parliament and of the Council on dr ug precursors and Council 
Regulation (EC) No. 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Union 
and third countries in drug precursors, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No. 
1277/2005 (Retained EU Legislation)  
- Commission Imp lementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1013 of 25 June 2015 laying down rules in 
respect of Regulation (EC) No. 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 
drug precursors and of Council Regulation (EC) No. 111/2005 laying down rules for the 
monitori ng of trade between the Union and third countries in drug precursors  (Retained EU 
Legislation)  
- The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors) (Intra -Community Trade) Regulations 2008  
- The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors) (Community External Trade) Regulation s 2008  
- The above are amended by the Part 5, Chapter 1 of the Law Enforcement and Security 
(Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  
 
7. Operators must lodge an application for an import or export authorisation (licence) with the 
competent authority in which the importer/exporter is established. The Home Office serves as the 
"competent authority ".  
 
(a) People can ship any time during th e validity of the licence. Export licences are valid for 2 
months. The Pre -Export Notification process for precursor chemical exports takes 15+2 
working days. Home Office service standard is 7 -10 working days in addition.  
  
Depending on Licensing Unit res ource, a same day licence could be issued. If goods arrive at 
the port without a licence, a retrospective licence would not be issued as the offence has 
already occurred.  
(b) The process is not automatic, so it cannot be immediately granted. However, a lic ence could 
potentially be granted on the same day if the company already holds a valid domestic licence 
and have set up the products and foreign trade establishments on the NDS system.  
  
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during whic h application for licence and/or 
importation may be made.   
  
(d)     Consideration of licence applications is affected by a single administrative organ, the Drugs 
and Firearms Licensing Unit in the Home Office. However, the Unit will have regard to 
inform ation from other agencies.  
  
8. There are no specific circumstances under which an application for a licence may be refused other 
than failure to meet the ordinary criteria. The reasons for any refusal are given to the applicant. 
Applicants do not have a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license & Documentation and other requirements for 
application for license  
9. To apply for a DPC import or export licence the company may need to apply for a domestic licence 
or registration. It depends on several factors, such as the substance, the quantity and countries 
involved in the transaction as set out in the document at the following link:  
Precursor chemical export and import authorisation (publishing.service.gov.uk)  
 
You ne ed to apply for a new import or export licence for each individual shipment. Licences cannot 
be post -dated or retrospectively issued. If you are applying for a UK export licence you must include 
a copy of the import permit.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 35 - 
 
  Each individual licence has a f ee of £24.  
 
10. Regulations require that all imports, exports and intermediary activities involving precursors 
chemicals be documented by operators.  
 
Operators must lodge an application for an import or export authorisation (licence) with the 
competent authority in which the importer/exporter is established. The Home Office serves as the 
‘competent authority '. Applications must be made via the national drugs control system (NDS) in 
respect of each transaction (shipment). Import/Export licences can only be sought after the relevant 
domestic licence or registration is held.  
 
Applications for authorisations must contain full information about the transport arrangements, 
name and address of all operators involved, and nature, quantity and weight of the substance being 
traded.  
 
To apply for a domestic licence, they will need to provide the following information and documents:  
• the company registration document from Companies House (if applicable);  
• a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (completed via Security Watchdog ) reference number 
and date of issue for the responsible officer and guarantor;  
• a certificate of good conduct for the responsible officer – this should be a brief letter signed 
by another officer of the company such as the guarantor and should, for example, confirm 
that the responsible officer is a fit and proper person to act as the responsible officer for 
precursor chemicals. They may also wish to state how long the resp onsible officer has 
worked for the company, the role they hold and a statement on how they have carried out 
their duties;  
• a purchase order (PO) number (if applicable to your company or organisation);  
• knowledge of the PC substances and categories.  
 
Applicat ions usually take 12 -16 weeks to process once the Home Office have received the Disclosure 
and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all those named on the licence application.  
11. The import licence is required upon actual importation.  
 
12. The fee for an ind ividual export or import licence is £24. The Home Office will process applications 
in date order. The expected processing time is 7 working days. You should expect another 15 days ' 
processing time if a  pre-export notification  is required while the importin g authority considers your 
export.  
 
Precursor chemical domestic licences: application fees for new precursor chemical domestic licences  
Licenceable activity/activities  Licence application fee  
Category 1 licence  £3,655  
Category 2 registration  £435 
Category 3 registration  £435 
 
13. No deposit or advance payment requirement. Payment is in arrears.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Import licence 3 months, Export licence 2 months or to the expiry of the import licence. The 
validity of a licence cannot be e xtended.  
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.  
 
17. There are no other conditions attached to the issue of a licence.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 36 - 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18. Customs declarations.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
3.2  Controlled drugs 
Outline of system  
 
1. The Controlled Drug system allows the United Kingdom to meet its international treaty obligations 
under the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic 
Substances, and the 1988 UN Convention Against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic 
Substances.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Regulations require that all imports, exports and interm ediary activities involving Controlled Drugs 
be documented by operators.  
 
Controlled Drugs are divided into 6 categories:  
• Schedule 1  
• Schedule 2  
• Schedule 3  
• Schedule 4 part I  
• Schedule 4 part II  
• Schedule 5 (exempt from import/export requirements as per the legislation -
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/3998/schedule/5/made  ) 
 
3. All countries whereby the substance being imported is controlled in either one of the countries.  
 
4. Licences are issued to manage the volumes of controlled drug movements worldwide, in 
accordance with our international obligations. Monetary value is of no relevance to these 
considerations. Licences enable trade which would otherwise be prohibited bec ause of the danger 
posed by the substances and their risk of diversion. Controlled drugs are potentially harmful to 
health, and all imports must be made to a holder of a domestic controlled drugs licence, or to an 
exempt body (such as healthcare providers in respect of drugs in schedules 2 -4). 
 
5.  
i)  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971  
ii)  The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001  
iii)  The Misuse  of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002   
  
The substances subject to licensing are set out in legislation. The substances subject to licensing are 
not left to administrative discretion.  
 
Procedures  
6.  Not applicable.  
 
7. Operators must lodge an application for an import or export authorisation (licence) with the 
competent authority in which the importer/exporter is established. The Home Office serves as the 
"competent authority ".  
 
a)  People can ship any time during the validity of the licence. Export licences are valid for 2 
months. The Pre -Export Notification process for precursor chemical exports takes 15+2 
working days. Home Office service standard is 7 -10 working days in addition.  
  
Depending on Licensing Unit resource, a same day licence could be issued. If goods arrive at 
the port without a licence, a retrospective licence would not be issued as the offence has 
already occurred.  
  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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  b)  The process is not automatic, so it cannot be immediately granted. Howe ver, a licence could 
potentially be granted on the same day, if the company already hold a valid Domestic licence 
and have set up the products and foreign trade establishments on the NDS system.  
  
c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year d uring which application for licence and/or 
importation may be made.   
  
d)  Consideration of licence applications is affected by a single administrative organ, the Drugs 
and Firearms Licensing Unit in the Home Office. However, the Unit will have regard to 
information from other agencies. In the case of cannabis -based products for medicinal use 
which are special medicinal products (unlicensed medicines) the Unit will take advice from the 
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and applica nts will need to 
show that they have notified the MHRA according to the MHRA 's requirements.  
 
8. There are no specific circumstances under which an application for a licence may be refused. All 
applications are considered individually on their merits. The reasons for any refusal are given to the 
applicant, we cannot reject an import/export request without stating the reason. Applicants do not 
have a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. To apply for a CD import or export licence , the company would need to hold a domestic licence 
unless they fall under an exemption such as university research departments, hospitals, c are homes 
and other healthcare providers who may only require a licence for certain schedules and activities.  
 
You need to apply for a new import or export licence for each individual shipment. Licences cannot 
be post -dated or retrospectively issued. If you are applying for a UK export licence you must include 
a copy of the import permit.  
 
Each individual licence has a fee of £24.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. Regulations require that all imports, exports and intermediary activities involving controlled 
drugs be documented b y licensees. Licensees must lodge an application for an import or export 
authorisation (licence) with the competent authority in which the importer/exporter is established. 
The Home Office serves as the ‘competent authority '. Applications must be made via the national 
drugs control system (NDS) in respect of each transaction (shipment).  
 
Applications for authorisations must contain full information about the transport arrangements, 
name and address of all parties involved, and nature, quantity and weight of  the substance being 
traded.  
 
To apply for a domestic licence, they will need to provide the following information and documents:  
• the company registration document from Companies House (if applicable);  
• a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (completed via Security Watchdog ) reference number 
and date of issue for the responsible officer and guarantor;  
• a purchase order (PO) number (if ap plicable to your company or organisation);  
• knowledge of Controlled Drugs substances and schedule.  
• Operators must lodge an application for an import or export authorisation (licence) with the 
competent authority in which the importer/exporter is established . In the case of the UK, the 
Home Office serves as the ‘competent authority '. Applications must be made via the national 
drugs control system (NDS) in respect of each transaction (shipment).  
 
11. The import licence is required upon actual importation.  
  
12. The fee for an individual export or import licence is £24. The Home Office will process applications 
in date order. The expected processing time is 7 working days.  A domestic licence is a pre -requisite 
to apply for an import/export licence unless the co mpany is exempt. The fees for a domestic CD 
Licence . 
 
Controlled drug domestic licences: application fees for new controlled drug domestic licences  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 38 - 
 
  Licensable activity  Application fee  
Possess controlled drugs  £3,133  
Supply, or offer to supply, controlled drugs  £3,655  
Produce preparations containing controlled drugs  £4,178  
Produce controlled drugs  £4,700  
 
13. No deposit or advance payment requirement. Payment is in arrears.   
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Import licence three  months, Export licence two months or to the expiry of the import licence. 
The validity of a licence cannot be extended.  
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable between imp orters.  
 
17. There are no other conditions attached to the issue of a licence.   
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Customs declarations.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
3.3  Firearms   
Outline of system  
  
1. The OGIL (Open General Import Licence) is a national trade control measure run by the 
Department for International Trade (DIT) that allows the import of firearms into the UK, subject to 
the exceptions it sets out.   
  
Purposes and coverage of licensing   
 
2. The Import Licensing Branch  of the Department for International Trade  issues import licences on 
its online Import Case Management System  for the import of  firearms, component parts of firearms, 
ammunition, accessories designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by  the firing 
of a weapon  and bump stocks . Certain exclusions are listed in the OGIL that do not require an import 
licence .  
 
Ex Chapter 93  
9705000030  
9705000090  
9706000090  
  
3. All countries.   
 
4. No, the import licensing regime  is in place for public safety reasons to ensure that  only those with 
domestic authority to  possess  or sell  firearms, their component parts, ammunition,  noise 
suppressors and bump stocks  can import them.   
  
5. The Import Licensing Branch  of the Department for International Trade administers the import 
licensing controls on firearms under the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954 with the specific 
import controls being listed in the schedules of its Open Genera l Import Licence (OGIL). The OGIL G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 39 - 
 
  is a national trade control measure , which allows the import of goods into the UK and sets out any 
applicable import controls.   
 
Procedures   
 
6.  Not applicable.  
  
7.(a) Applications can be made at any time. Importers will  run the risk , however , of having their 
firearms seized by UK customs if they do not have a valid import licence in place at the time 
of the import.   
 
(b)   Yes, an import licence can be granted immediately upon request. This can only be done  if 
either a) the importer has previously had the validity and coverage of their firearms authorities 
verified by the UK authorities that issued them,  e.g. the Police and/or Home Office or b) the 
firearms are not subject to domestic possession controls provide d that certain conditions 
excluding the firearms from those controls are met and confirmed.   
 
(c) An import licence application can be submitted at any time of the year provided that the 
applicant is registered and set up on the Import Licensing Branch 's Import Case Management 
System  (ICMS).  Import Licencing Branch of Department of International Trade  will not be able 
to process that request when closed on a weekend or during a public holiday.   
 
(d) Whilst the application is entirely handled by  the Import L icensing Branch  of the Department 
for International Trade, we will verify the additional domestic 
possession  documentation  provided in an application with the police and/or Home Office 
before  making a decision  on granting an import licence.    
 
8.  Applicat ions will be refused  where the applicant does not have the necessary domestic possession 
authority.  There is an  appeal  process in conjunction with the Home Office  firearms  unit, which is 
responsible for firearms policy in the UK.   
  
Eligibility of importer s to apply for license   
 
9. Where domestic authority to possess is required, o nly those that hold it can  import.  
  
Documentation and other requirements for application for license   
 
10. The applications  can only be  submitted online  via ILB 's Import Case Management  System.  The 
applicant must confirm the type of firearm, where within the Firearms Act  it falls, the number of 
firearms, the country that they originate from and the country that they are consigned from. The 
applicant, depending upon the typ e of firearm, may need to  upload  copies of their firearms 
authorities , which would need to be verified by the authority that issued them or a copy of a 
deactivation certificate if the firearm has been deactivated to the relevant standards.    
  
11. Import l icence plus  legal documentation  confirming that the individual/company complies with 
UK authority to possess requirements.   
  
12. Import Licencing Branch of Department of International Trade  does not currently charge for the 
issuing of import licences.   
  
13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences . 
  
Conditions of licensing   
 
14. The validity period of a Specific Import Licence is set up to six months from  its date of issue. It 
can be less if the applicant 's firearms authorities expire within six months. Open Individual Import 
Licences have a validity period that matches the validity period of their Certificate of Registration as 
a Firearms Dealer.   
  
15. There is no penalty for the non -utiliza tion of a licence or a portion of a licence.  
  
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
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17. Not applicable.   
  
Other procedural requirements   
 
18. Customs declarations.  
  
19.  Not applicable.  
 
4  DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY  
4.1  Nuclear  Materials  
Outline of system  
1. The UK requires  an import licence when:  Uranium Ore concentrates; and  Plutonium, 
Uranium  233, Uranium enriched in the isotopes 233 or 235, natural Uranium and mixtures, 
compounds and alloys contain ing any of the foregoing, including spent or irradiated nuclear reactor 
fuel elements; (together referred to as ‘Nuclear Materials ') are imported  into the UK.    
 
This import licensing system is administered by the Office for Nuclear Regulation  (ONR) . These 
licenses give the UK control over potentially fissile material, which is important on national security 
grounds.   
  
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. The following nuclear materials currently require an import licence when imported into the 
UK from outside the EU:   
• ex 26 12 Uranium ore concentrates  
• ex 28 44 Plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotopes 233 or 235, natural 
uranium and mixtures, compounds and alloys containing any of the foregoing, including spent 
or irradiated nucle ar reactor fuel elements (cartridges).  
 
3. Import  licensing  arrangements cover all imports of relevant nuclear materials into the UK. All 
nuclear imports will be subject to the same import licensing  procedures.   
 
4. The import licensing requirement exists to prevent nuclear material that could be used to make 
an improvised nuclear device from falling into the wrong hands (i.e., a national security and nuclear 
non-proliferation concern). When the shipments are stopped at the border by radiation detectors, 
the accompanying import licence enables Border Force officials to determine its legitimacy and 
proceed accordingly.  
 
Removing the import licensing requirement for relevant nuclear material would diminish ONR 's ability  
to identify imports that should not take place, or add conditions or caveats to imports, to suitably 
check and address any concerns over the materials intended use for making an improvised nuclear 
device. For this reason, alternative methods have not been  considered.  
 
5. The import licensing system is administered by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).  
 
The import licensing restriction on these materials (via their inclusion in the Annex to the Open 
General Import Licence – made under the Import of Go ods (Control) Order 1954), gives these 
materials ‘prohibited and restricted ' status. This  licensing restriction enables  designated 
customs  officials to use powers contained in the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA) 
to search for these materials at the border and to seize  or detain  imports if they  reasonably 
believe  them to be prohibited or restricted and if they suspect they are being imported illegally.   
 
The underlying Annex to Open General Imports Licences will be amended to provide that licen ces 
will be required for all relevant nuclear imports coming into the UK.    
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 41 - 
 
   
7.(a)  Goods without a licence will not be granted access to the UK on entry at any Port without a 
valid one in place.  
 
There is  no fixed period  for submitting  a specific  license  application  in advance  of importation,  
although  it must be reviewed  and a license  must be issued  before  the importation  
occurs. However, we recommend that operators submit their application two months before 
the importation.  
 
(b)  No - around two months for granting from receipt of application to ONR . A specific  license  
would  not be granted  immediately  upon request.  Applicants  should  allow up to two 
months  from the date an application  is received  by ONR. 
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which a specific import license 
application can be submitted to ONR.  
 
(d)  ONR will grant the licence and will undertake discussions with other organisations, as is 
required, for approval.  
 
8. Licence could be refused under the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations due to over excessive 
quantities, legal entity of the company importing etc. Any refusal, provided no sensitivities, would 
be given the reason(s) in an open and transparent manner. R ight of appeal in the first instance 
would be in writing to the Deputy Chief Nuclear Inspector at ONR.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. Any company registered with Companies House is eligible to apply for a licence. Applicants do not 
need to register anywhere else to apply for the licences. Applicants and licensees do not pay any 
fees for the licences. Lists of applicants or licensees are not published. An application consists of two 
forms: a declaration signed by a director of a compa ny, authorising an individual to apply on behalf 
of the company; and an application signed by the individual.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. Detailed information and guidance is available on GOV.UK  and forms can be ac cessed at 
https://www.onr.org.uk/cnss/licensing.htm . 
 
11. Importer must carry the licence along with other relevant identification documents.  
 
12. There is no application fee.  
 
13. Not applicable.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. A valid licence only remains valid for 12 months from the date of issue. A new licence must be 
applied after its expiration date.  
 
15. Not applicable.  
 
16. No, licences can not be transferred between importers.  
 
17. Importers applying for licence are required to declare the quantity of materials to be covered by 
the licence.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Customs declarations.  
19. Not applicable.  
 G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 42 - 
 
  5  FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE  
5.1  Rough Diamonds  
Outline of system  
1. The UK 's rough diamonds import regime controls the import, export and transit of rough 
diamonds, in line with the requirements of the Kimberley Process.  
 
The Kimberley Process is a regulatory certification scheme set up by States with the aim of breaking 
the link between armed conflict and the trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process has 
established a set of requirements which participants must comply wit h and enforce through enacting 
national legislation. This includes ensuring that a Kimberley Process Certificate accompanies each 
export of rough diamonds from their territory, and no shipment of rough diamonds is imported to or 
exported from a non -partici pant. 
 
The Government Diamond Office in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is 
responsible for implementing the Kimberley Process in the UK.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing   
2. Rough diamond imports must be accompanied by a Kimberley Proc ess certificate issued and 
validated by the competent authority of the exporting participant. A competent authority means the 
authority designated by a participant to issue, validate or verify a certificate. A certificate means a 
document duly issued and v alidated by a participant 's competent authority identifying a shipment 
of rough diamonds as being in compliance with the requirements of the Kimberley Process certificate 
scheme.  
 
Rough diamonds are diamonds that are unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or br uted and fall under 
the relevant trade tariff commodity codes – 7102.1000 (unsorted rough diamonds), 7102.2100 
(industrial rough diamonds) and 7102.3100 (non -industrial rough diamonds).  
 
3. The import regime applies to rough diamonds being imported from a Kimberley Process 
participant. A participant is defined as any State, regional economic integration organisation, 
WTO-member or separate customs territory that fulfils the requirements of the KP certification 
scheme and has notified that fact to the Chair of the KP certification scheme. Rough diamond imports 
from non -participants of the Kimberley Process will be denied entry.  
 
4. The import regime does not restrict the quantity or value of imports. The purpose of the UK 's 
import regime is to enforce the re quirements of the Kimberley Process, a conflict prevention measure 
designed to break the link between armed conflict and the trade in rough diamonds.  
 
5. Retained EU law: Council Regulation (EC) No. 2368/2002 of 20 December 2002 implementing the 
Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds.  
 
UK legislation: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Amendment) (EU Exit) 
Regulations  2019, The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regul ations 
2020, and  The Kimberley Process (Fees) Regulations 2014.5 
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  
 
7.(a) The UK 's import regime begins when the rough diamond import arrives at the UK border. The 
importer must make arrangements for the Kimberley Process certificate to be presented to 
the border authorities.  
(b)  There are a  number of Kimberley Process related import conditions which must be satisfied. 
Only after it has been confirmed that the import complies with the conditions set out in 11 
 
5 Specific arrangements apply in Northern Ireland including by virtue of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern 
Ireland. Further details on the operation of the Protocol on Ireland/No rthern Ireland can be found at 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export -diamonds -special -rules.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 43 - 
 
  below  will the import be granted entry (subject to compliance with any other import 
requirements not related to the Kimberley Process).   
 
(c)  There is no limitation as to the period of the year when an import of rough diamonds can 
arrive in the UK.   
 
(d)  The Government Diamond Office works with border authorities (UK Border Force and HM 
Revenues and Customs) to check  if rough diamond imports comply with the import conditions 
set out in 11 below. All imports of rough diamonds may be subject to physical inspec tion by 
the Government Diamond Office to confirm compliance.  
 
8. If the rough diamond import does not comply with the import conditions set out in 11 below, it 
will be detained for further investigation by the Government Diamond Office. As part of the 
investigation, the Government Diamond Office will advise the importer why the import has failed 
compliance and discuss ways to rectify. Rough diamond imports can only be granted entry into the 
UK once all import conditions are met.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for license  
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to import rough diamonds into the UK providing the 
import complies with the import conditions set out in 11 below (and any other import requirements 
not related to the Kimberley Process) , including being accompanied by a Kimberley Process 
certificate issued and validated by the competent authority of the exporting participant.  The terms 
and conditions associated with the application and issuing of a certificate will be d etermined by the 
competent authority of the exporting participant and may vary from participant to participant . 
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10. Rough diamond imports must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process certifica te issued and 
validated by the competent authority of the exporting participant.  The terms and conditions 
associated with the application and issuing of a Kimberley Process certificate are determined by the 
competent authority of the exporting participant and may vary from participant to participant. A 
competent authority means the authority designated by a participant to issue, validate or verify a 
certificate. A certificate means a document duly issued and validated by a participant 's competent 
authority identifying a shipment of rough diamonds as complying with the requirements of the 
Kimberley Process certificate scheme.  
 
11. There are a number of Kimberley Process related import conditions which must be satisfied. 
These conditions are that:  
 
• The rough d iamonds are accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate validated by the 
competent authority of a Kimberley Process participant.  
• The rough diamonds are contained in tamper -resistant containers, and the seals applied at 
export by the participant are not broken.  
• The Kimberley Process certificate clearly identifies the consignment to which it refers.  
 
12. Not applicable.  
 
13. Not applicable.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The Kimberley Process certificate must be within the period of validity when the import arrives 
at the UK border. If the certificate is not within the period of validity, the import will be detained for 
further investigation by the Government Diamond Office.  
 
15. Not applicable.  
 
16. The name and address of the importer on the certificate must be the same as the name and 
address of the actual importer. Therefore, it is not transferable.  
 
17. Not applicable.  G/LIC/N/3/GBR/1  
 
- 44 - 
 
   
Other procedural requirements  
18. Customs declarations.  
 
19. Not applicable for the UK 's import requirements.  
 
__________