UK Export Controls - What You Must Know About OGELs
- Arne Mielken
- Nov 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Learn about UK General Licences - OGELs and how they may be used to accelerate your export processes.
The United Kingdom is attractive as a business partner because of its reliable export control system, which puts global security and human rights first. Because of the gravity of their export control obligations, the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) evaluates each application for an export licence in line with stringent licencing requirements.
But where the risk is lower, due to exports to friendly nations or less sensitive products, Open general export licences (OGELs) may be used.
What are OGELs?
OGELs are licences with set terms and conditions which you must comply with. They permit the export of controlled goods on the consolidated list of strategic and military items that require export authorisation to named destinations.
What OGELs currently exist?
This collection brings together a full listing of all the open general export licences (OGELs) issued by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).
OGEL Checker
Use ECJU’s OGEL and Goods Checker Tools database to identify and download the OGEL you require and to check the licence terms and conditions.The OGEL Checker is a tool that can be used to determine whether or not an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) is already in place. If this is the case, check that you are able to satisfy all of the requirements before enrolling with SPIRE. If there are no OGELs available or if you are unable to fulfil all of the requirements, you will be required to submit an application for a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) via SPIRE. Users who have registered for OGEL are required to undergo ECO Compliance Audits.
The application of OGELs is determined by the OGEL Checker Tool by a search of the scope of permissible products against Annex 1 of the maintained Dual-use Regulation.
The Top 3 Things You Need To Know About OGELs
An OGEL…
covers a particular regulated activity and defines the goods that you are permitted to export under that OGEL.
the locations to which one may send stuff.
Before you may register for the OGEL, you are required to first read the terms and conditions
Top 3 Requirements To Meet
All OGEL holders must:
meet all the specified terms and conditions of the licence being used for a specific export
keep records as required by the licence
submit annual reports of your use of the OGEL through SPIRE
You must state the SPIRE reference on all shipping documentation.
What happens when you use one
The ECJU can conduct an audit of export records to verify the appropriate application of permits. Companies that have export permits are subject to inspections by compliance authorities. They make sure that all the terms of the export control law and the licencing have been satisfied. If you are issued a compliance warning letter, you are required to fulfil any restrictions included in the letter within the specified amount of time. In such a case, the government could take away your licence. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has the right to bring criminal charges in instances of serious noncompliance.
Penalties and fines
Breaching export controls is a criminal offence. Penalties can vary depending on the nature of the offence.
They include:
revocation of licences
seizure of goods
issuing of a compound penalty fine
imprisonment for up to 10 years.
A note on Northern Ireland
Because the retained Dual-use Regulation is only applicable for exports from Great Britain, users who want to export from Northern Ireland need to examine the scope of an OGEL to establish whether or not it may be used to export from Northern Ireland.
More Information
Need to know more about export controls and sanctions? Contact us at +44 7914650183 or e-mail us at info@customsmanager.org.
Join our export control training at www.customsmanager.org/events
Buy online training and supportive documents at www.customsmanager.org/
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