OpenLegislation

The Export Control Order 2008

S.I. 2008/3231 · Made 15 December 2008 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 16 December 2025.

CUSTOMS

Made 15th December 2008

Laid before Parliament 17th December 2008

Coming into force 6th April 2009

  1. (a)

  2. (b)

M1M2M3M4It appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient for the references in this Order to Council Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000, Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005, Article 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 and Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 450/2008 to be construed as references to those instruments and provisions as amended from time to time.

M5To the extent that this Order regulates any of the activities listed in section 8(1) of the Export Control Act 2002, the Secretary of State, having considered the reasons for the relevant controls and the need to respect the freedom to carry on the relevant activities, has determined that such regulation is necessary in the circumstances prevailing at the time of this Order.

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972M6, by paragraph 1A of Schedule 2 to that ActM7 and by sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the Export Control Act 2002 M8, makes the following Order:C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13C14C15C16C17C18C19C20C21C22C23C24C25

Annotations to the whole text

Marginal citations

M1

OJ No L 159, 30.6.2000, p1; relevant amending instruments are Council Regulation (EC) No 2432/2001 (OJ No L 338, 20.12.2001, p1) and Council Regulation (EC) No 1167/2008 (OJ No L 325, 3.12.2008, p1).

M2

OJ No L 200, 30.7.2005, p1, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

M3

OJ No L 302, 19.10.1992, p1; relevant amending instruments are the Act of Accession of Austria, Sweden and Finland (OJ No C 241, 29.8.1994, p21) adapted by Council Decision 95/1/EC, Euratom, ECSC (OJ No L 1, 1.1.2005, p1), Regulation (EC) No 82/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L 17, 21.1.1997, p1), the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic and others and Council Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ No L 363, 20.12.2006, p1).

M4

OJ No L 145, 4.6.2008, p1.

M5

2002 c. 28.

M6

1972 c. 68.

M7

Paragraph 1A of Schedule 2 was inserted by the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, section 28.

M8

2002 c. 28.

Modifications

C1

Order excluded (5.9.2011) by The Export Control (Belarus) and (Syria Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2010), art. 5

C2

Order excluded (30.11.2011) by The Export Control (Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2649), reg. 6

C3

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/136), regs. 1(2), 68; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 4(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C4

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/600), regs. 1(2), 65; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 12(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C5

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/642), regs. 1(2), 80; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 12(2)

C6

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/792), regs. 1(3), 97; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C7

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/753), regs. 1(2), 67; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 15(2)

C8

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1665), regs. 1(3), 83

C9

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/616), regs. 1(2), 66; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 10(2)

C10

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/461), regs. 1(2), 73; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 8(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C11

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (United Nations Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/466), regs. 1(2), 55; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 9(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C12

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/411), regs. 1(2), 128; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 7(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C13

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/134), regs. 1(2), 67; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 2(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C14

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The South Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/438), regs. 1(2), 66; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 6(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C15

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/604), regs. 1(2), 66; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 13(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C16

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/573), regs. 1(2), 58; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 11(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C17

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/433), regs. 1(2), 66; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 5(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C18

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/707), regs. 1(2), 67; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 14(2)

C19

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Yemen (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1278), regs. 1(2), 65; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 20(2)

C20

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Afghanistan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/948), regs. 1(2), 54; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 16(2)

C21

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Lebanon (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/612), regs. 1(2), 40; S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 9

C22

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/135), regs. 1(2), 68; S.I. 2019/627, reg. 3(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C23

Order restricted (31.12.2020) by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/855), regs. 1(2), 97; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C24

Order restricted (28.12.2022) by The Haiti (Sanctions) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1281), regs. 1(2), 56

C25

Order excluded (14.12.2023) by The Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1314), regs. 1(2), 95 (with regs. 98-100)

Contents

  1. Part 1: INTRODUCTORY
  2. 1Citation and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. 2ACrown application
  5. Part 2: EXPORT AND TRANSFER CONTROLS
  6. 3Military goods, etc.
  7. 4Movement of UK controlled dual-use goods, etc. to certain destinations
  8. 4AMovement of certain medicinal products to the United States of America
  9. 4BMovement of Libyan bank notes and coins Repealed
  10. 5Movement of UK controlled dual-use goods, etc. within the customs territory Repealed
  11. 6WMD purposes end-use control supplementing the dual-use Regulation
  12. 7Control on transfers within the customs territory supplementing the dual-use Regulation Repealed
  13. 8Transit controls supplementing the dual-use Regulation
  14. 9Provisions supplementing the torture Regulation Repealed
  15. 9AGeneral prohibition
  16. 10Transfers within the United Kingdom for WMD purposes
  17. 11Transfers from outside the United Kingdom for WMD purposes
  18. 12Transfers by non-electronic means from the United Kingdom for WMD purposes
  19. 12AMilitary end-use control supplementing the dual-use Regulation
  20. 12BExceptions to military end-use control supplementing the dual-use Regulation
  21. 13Exceptions for aircraft
  22. 14Exceptions for vessels
  23. 14AException for historic military vehicles
  24. 15Exception for firearms – European firearms pass Repealed
  25. 16Exception for firearms – firearm or shot gun certificate or permit
  26. 17Transit or transhipment exception
  27. 18Software and technology exceptions
  28. Part 3: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTROLS
  29. 19End-use control on technical assistance
  30. Part 4: TRADE CONTROLS
  31. 20Embargoed destinations
  32. 21Category A goods
  33. 22Category B goods
  34. 23Category C goods
  35. 24Exception for movement of goods within the customs territory Repealed
  36. 25Exception for activities carried out in the Isle of Man
  37. Part 5: LICENCES, ETC.
  38. 26Licences
  39. 27Person authorised by UK licence to export goods
  40. 28Registration with the Secretary of State
  41. 28ACertificates (European military items) Repealed
  42. 29Record keeping – general
  43. 30Registration and record keeping – information security items Repealed
  44. 31Inspection of records
  45. 32Amendment, suspension and revocation of licences
  46. 33Licence refusals, etc. and appeals
  47. 33ACertificates: refusals, etc. and appeals Repealed
  48. Part 6: OFFENCES, ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
  49. 34Offences relating to prohibitions in Parts 2, 3 and 4
  50. 35Offences relating to prohibitions and restrictions in the assimilated dual-use Regulation
  51. 36Offences relating to prohibitions and restrictions in the torture Regulation
  52. 36AFurther offences relating to the prohibitions etc. in the torture Regulation
  53. 37Misleading applications for licences ...
  54. 38Failure to comply with licence conditions
  55. 39Customs powers to require evidence of destination
  56. 40Customs powers relating to dual-use goods
  57. 41Application of CEMA in respect of offences
  58. 42Increase of maximum penalty for prohibited exportation provided for in CEMA
  59. Part 6A: Provisions relating to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in the EU withdrawal agreement
  60. 42AInterpretation
  61. Provisions relating to the EU defence-related products Directive
  62. 42BRecord-keeping requirement: EU-listed military item supplier
  63. 42COffence to contravene article 42B
  64. 42DSecretary of State may certify Northern Ireland recipient undertaking
  65. 42EApplying for certificate
  66. 42FSecretary of State may grant certificate
  67. 42GEstablishing reliability of Northern Ireland recipient undertaking
  68. 42HSecretary of State may amend, suspend, and revoke certificate
  69. 42IAppeal of Secretary of State decision
  70. 42JOffence relating to misleading application for certificate
  71. Provisions relating to the EU firearms Directive
  72. 42KException in relation to Northern Ireland: European firearms pass holders
  73. Provisions relating to the EU dual-use Regulation
  74. 42LExport and transfer control in relation to Northern Ireland: dual-use goods, software, and technology
  75. 42MOffence to contravene article 42L
  76. 42NExceptions in relation to Northern Ireland: dual-use goods, software, and technology
  77. 42OException in relation to Northern Ireland: EU goods in transit
  78. 42PAuthorisation requirement: Article 11(1) of the EU dual-use Regulation
  79. 42QRecord-keeping requirement: Article 27(4) of the EU dual-use Regulation
  80. 42ROffences relating to prohibitions and restrictions in the EU dual-use Regulation
  81. Provisions relating to the EU torture Regulation
  82. 42SExport control in relation to Northern Ireland: leg irons, gang chains, and portable electric shock devices
  83. 42TOffence to contravene article 42S
  84. 42UException in relation to Northern Ireland: category A and C goods
  85. Part 7: GENERAL
  86. 43Use and disclosure of information
  87. 44Service of notices
  88. 45Revocations and transitional arrangements
  89. 46Review of the implementation of the defence-related products Directive Repealed
  90. Signature
  91. Schedule 1Goods Subject to Stricter Export and Trade Controls
  92. 1Category A Goods
  93. Part 2: CATEGORY B GOODS
  94. 9Small arms and light weapons within ML1 and ML2
  95. 10Accessories and ammunition for small arms and light weapons within ML1 and ML2
  96. 10ANon-military Firearms
  97. 11Light weapons within ML4
  98. 12Ammunition for light weapons within ML4
  99. 13Hand grenades
  100. 14MANPADS, missiles for them, associated equipment and their specially designed components
  101. 15Long-range missiles
  102. 16Anti-vehicle landmines
  103. 17Components for “goods” within this Part
  104. 18Battle tanks and armoured combat vehicles within ML6
  105. 19Large-calibre artillery systems within ML2 and ML4
  106. 20Combat aircraft and attack helicopters within ML10
  107. 21Warships within ML9
  108. 22Other missiles and missile launchers
  109. Schedule 2MILITARY GOODS, SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY
  110. Military, Security and Para-military Goods, Software and Technology and Arms, Ammunition and Related Material
  111. Schedule 3UK CONTROLLED DUAL-USE GOODS, SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY
  112. Schedule 4: COUNTRIES AND DESTINATIONS SUBJECT TO STRICTER EXPORT OR TRADE CONTROLS
  113. 1EMBARGOED AND NO EXCEPTION FOR TRANSIT
  114. 2EMBARGOED AND SUBJECT TO TRANSIT CONTROL FOR MILITARY GOODS
  115. 3SUBJECT TO TRANSIT CONTROL FOR MILITARY GOODS
  116. 4SUBJECT TO TRANSIT CONTROL FOR CATEGORY B GOODS
  117. Schedule 5: INFORMATION SECURITY ITEMS Repealed
  118. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  119. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  120. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  121. Schedule 6REVOCATIONS
  122. Explanatory note