UK import controls under the Open General Import Licence (OGIL): prohibitions, licensing for controlled goods, firearms marking, toxic chemicals and Northern Ireland Protocol
Published by a
LexisNexis International Trade expert
Practice notes
This Practice Note offers practical, hands-on guidance on the UK’s import control regime. Accordingly, it sets out usable advice on the relevant and applicable legislation, and clearly identifies the categories of goods that need an import licence.
Introduction
Import controls are restrictions a state may place on goods entering its territory at the border from abroad. They may exist for many reasons, including ensuring goods are safe, meet certain quality thresholds and comply with specified standards. In the UK, the Imports, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 empowers the Secretary of State, by order, to forbid or manage the importation of particular goods. As the Act was enacted in wartime, it barred all imports that were not explicitly beneficial to the war effort. Much later, the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954 was issued. That Order preserved the Act’s broad ban on imports as imposed by the legislation. It did, however, enable licences to be issued permitting the import of goods. Beyond this, it went considerably further. The Order introduced a range of open general import licences (OGLs). The effect of this was that the statutory prohibition was, in substance, displaced because of the breadth of the various OGILs...
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Web page updated on 22/05/2026
Popular documents
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...
Discover more from LexisNexis
