Notice

Notice to exporters 2018/22: Export Control Order 2008 amended and firearms export guidance note published

Published 14 September 2018

This notice was withdrawn on

This content has been withdrawn because it is out of date. See guidance on exporting firearms.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-201822-export-control-order-2008-amended-and-firearms-export-guidance-note-published/notice-to-exporters-201822-export-control-order-2008-amended-and-firearms-export-guidance-note-published

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has amended the Export Control Order 2008. Changes have been made to Schedules 1, 2 and 3. A guidance note has also been published alongside this notice to exporters.

The new order, The Export Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018 No. 939) comes into force on 14 September 2018. It extends the controls on firearms to include devices capable of being converted to firearms. This follows the UK’s obligation to implement Directive 2017/853, which amends Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.

The Order also amends parts of schedule 1, 2 and 3 to the 2008 Order to restructure the lists of firearms contained within those schedules in order to better reflect the applicable legislation.

ECJU has also updated the consolidated control list of strategic military and dual-use items that require export authorisation.

The complete list of changes can be found in the transposition note published with the Order. But key changes are listed here:

Schedule 1:

  • a new substituted entry in Schedule 1, Part 2, paragraph 10A (Trade Controls for Non-military firearms)

Schedule 2 (see transposition note for details):

  • numerous changes to ML1, ML2 and ML3 (Military firearms and ammunition)
  • ML7 and ML10.

Schedule 3:

  • a new substituted entry for national control PL9010 (non-military firearms outside the European Union)
  • a new national control entry PL9011 (non-military firearms inside the European Union)
  • a new control entry PL9011.f. (devices for firing blanks, irritants, other active substances or pyrotechnic rounds that are capable of being converted to a ‘firearm’)
  • a new control entry PL9011.g. (devices for salute or acoustic applications that are capable of being converted to a ‘firearm’)

Firearms guidance

A detailed guidance note, attached to this notice to exporters, has been prepared to help exporters understand the legislation relevant to the export of firearms.

ECJU Contact details

General queries about strategic export licensing

Export Control Joint Unit
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY

Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7215 4594

More information on export controls is available on the ECJU pages of the GOV.UK website, also the SPIRE export licensing database.

You can find:

This notice is for information only and has no force in law. If the information here applies to your business, we recommend you take appropriate action; including seeking legal advice if necessary.

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