Import licensing

The Open General Import Licence (OGIL) allows all goods to be imported into the United Kingdom. However, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform proscribes certain goods, which are detailed within the Schedule to the OGIL, and may restrict or even ban the import of such goods.

For safety and security reasons nuclear materials are amongst those commodities that may not be imported under the OGIL (unless consigned from a member state of the European Community) and require individual import licences.

Until recently the Import Licensing Branch (ILB) of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) were responsible for issuing these individual licences, however, since 26 March 2007 OCNS has assumed this responsibility. Therefore, importers must now apply to OCNS for a licence to import the following nuclear materials from outside of the European Community:

Tariff Heading: Description
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 nuclear reactor fuel elements (cartridges).

It should be noted that in order for the UK to meet its international obligations it is unlikely that a licence would be granted to import nuclear materials from a state not party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

The forms needed to apply for an import licence are available for download here. As an original signature is needed it is not possible to electronically return applications to OCNS.

Form OCNS/IL [162kb]
This form is solely for the application for an Import Licence for the commodities described above. The form comprises one page (two sides) consisting of the application itself, a declaration and guidance notes.
Form OCNS/IL/AS [68kb]
This is for the nomination of someone to sign applications on behalf of Directors, Partners or Proprietors. The person authorised can work either in the importing company or their shipping agents.

The forms can be downloaded and allow completion on a computer but it is still necessary to print the completed application, sign it and forward by post or courier to OCNS. It is not possible to send applications over the Internet or by e-mail.

It should be noted that HSE retains Crown copyright both on the printed and electronic versions of the forms.

Import licensing restrictions

ILB publicises its restrictions by issuing Notices to Importers. Notices covering the current which are available on their website (details below).

Import licences for other goods

If you have any queries about Import Licensing for other goods, please refer to the ILB web site

Contact details

If you have any enquiries relating to the importation of nuclear materials, or the security of transports of nuclear material generally, please contact OCNS:

The Office for Civil Nuclear Security
418.15 Harwell
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QA

Tel: +44 (0) 1235 432952, +44 (0) 1235 432953
Fax: +44 (0) 1235 432951