You've probably heard the UK Export Licencing authority is changing its system of export control licences. Now find out what this means for your business.
It's all a part of the project known as LITE - the licence application tracking and exchange system, created to make it easier for applicants to apply for an export licence. This post has been put together to give you a guide on what is LITE and what it means to you.
When do I need to get an export control licence?
Before releasing regulated goods to locations beyond your own country, you must apply for a licence or authorization as an exporter of goods or technology.
The export control system safeguards a country and its allies from foreign powers acquiring sensitive, carefully restricted, and dual-use commodities, technology, software, and/or information.
What is Export Licencing?
Export licences are required to export specific products or services to certain countries. In the UK, the Export Control Act and the Export Control Order 2002 establishes the legal framework for export licensing, which is complemented by secondary legislation and instructions.
Who runs the UK's Export Control System?
The UK's export control system is the responsibility of the Department for International Trade, but it involves several departments, including
HM Revenue & Customs (in respect of licensing issues),
Her Majesty's Armed Forces (in respect of national security),
the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (responsible for policy on the Strategic Export Control Lists), and
the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (in relation to bilateral sanctions, human rights, conflicts and humanitarian law).
Helping you get your Export Control Licence
Applications for licences are evaluated on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated UK and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (known as the Consolidated Criteria). We help you to determine if your export has a licence requirement or not. We evaluate your product against the UK: Strategic Control lists of military and dual-use items that require export authorisation and let you know if a licence is required. If so, we help you get one. We work with you on Spire or LITE to make the application and support you in managing the application process from start to finish, including communication with the authorities.
Why is the licencing system changing?
SPIRE is administered by a third-party service. The new upgraded service, LITE, is being deployed by an in-house team of subject-matter experts in digital, data, and the Export Control Joint Unit.
In addition, businesses who wish to export certain items outside the UK apply for an export licence through SPIRE. SPIRE is the export licence database maintained by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). Businesses have to utilise this online system to register for Open General Licences or to apply for export or trade licences.
This could be a long process with many steps and was often confusing for businesses.
Let's make it LITEr
To maintain the efficiency of the export control licencing process, the ECJU is deploying a new digital licencing technology called LITE to replace SPIRE. LITE stands for "Licensing Infrastructure Requirements for Exports". LITE aims to leverage greater automation to speed up the application process and enhance solid licence decision-making.
Intuitive user interface with helpful tips
LITE's user-friendly interface seeks to save exporters time by expediting licence application processing and better directing them to useful information.
10 services that LITE will offer
User-friendly interface
Helpline for Public Awareness and Training
Online Tools – Goods Checker and OGEL Checker
Export Licence Application Service
OGEL Registration Service
End-User Advisory Service
Control List Classification Service
Advice Service to help you prepare better applications for complex exports
New online tools to help you classify goods and identify if you are eligible for an Open General Export Licence
Integration with the new HMRC CDS, to eliminate the need for OGEL returns
Decommission
SPIRE will be discontinued after the public launch. All past SPIRE application details are converted into LITE, ensuring that all users have a record of earlier applications. Please contact us to discuss how we can support you in migrating from SPIRE to LITE.
More to read
UK: Top Tips for understanding the Consolidated list of strategic military and dual-use items. Download the UK's Strategic Goods List and analyse the latest changes
UK Export Controls: The 8 Strategic Export Licensing Criteria of 2022. The following eight criteria are applied in the UK to decide is an export control licence can be granted or not. Exporters should know them.
UK Export Control: Revised Control Criteria & End-Use Catch all and China 2022 changes The UK is amending its export control legislation and criteria for issuing licences. Exporters should be aware of the upcoming changes.
UK Export Controls: Export Licencing for dual use and military items - Explainer Video Watch this video introducing export controls in the UK and why it matters.
UK: Official Export Control Guide for military goods, software and technology Download the guide to licensing procedure and other restrictions for export of controlled military goods, software and technology.
UK: Official Export Control Guide for dual-use items, software and technology etc. Download the guide to licensing procedure and other restrictions for export of controlled dual-use items, software and technology
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