Includes import documentation and other requirements for both the U.S. exporter and foreign importer.
Last Published: 8/1/2019

An import license is not needed to import the majority of industrial goods into the UK or EU.  However, some industrial goods require import licenses issued by the Import Licensing Branch (ILB) as a result of controls imposed at national, EU or UN level. ILB publicizes these restrictions by issuing Notices to Importers.  The Department for International Trade’s (DIT) Import Licensing Branch is the UK licensing authority.  A list of EU licensing authorities is available by contacting the DIT Import Licensing Branch import controls: enquiries.ilb@trade.gov.uk. The Department of International Trade provide further guidance on import controls.

There are numerous goods which are currently subject to import controls, whether because they are banned, subject to quotas or where the import is monitored with licenses.  Examples of goods currently banned include offensive weapons (i.e. switch blades), self-defense sprays (i.e. pepper spray) and rough diamonds.  The import of firearms is subject to monitoring.


 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.