Department for Business and Trade gov.uk

Import controls

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December 12, 2012 00:00

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How to import goods under national or UN-level import controls. This includes weapons, sanctioned goods, or goods that could be used for torture.

If you import goods into the UK, it is your responsibility to know about import restrictions and controls.

Import controls are imposed using statutory instruments or the open general import licence (OGIL), as enabled by the:

Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939

The OGIL is a national trade control measure that allows the import of goods into the UK without a licence.

There are exceptions. Certain goods need import licences due to controls at a national or UN level.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issues licences for the import of:

firearms and ammunition – according to UK licensing controls

anti-personnel mines – for mine detection techniques, clearance, or mine destruction

torture equipment – for display in a museum

certain goods subject to import sanctions

There are 3 types of import licence for firearms and ammunition:

specific individual import licence (SIIL) – for firearms falling under section 1, 2 or 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and firearms exempt from certification or control under section 58(2) of the Firearms Act 1968, as amended (for example, firearms of obsolete calibre)

open individual import licence (OIIL) – open licence for firearms, their component parts, and ammunition falling under section 1 or 2 of the Firearms Act 1968 from any country not under sanctions

deactivated firearms import licence – for firearms that conform to the current UK deactivation standards

Read more on firearms licencing and good practice on firearms law.

As part of the UK’s commitment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), DBT undertakes licensing for relevant nuclear materials through the apply for an import licence service.

Individual import licences are needed for goods that fall under the relevant commodity codes and description.

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Organization: Department for Business and Trade — imported from official source
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Imported: September 18, 2026 12:30
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