Notice

NTI 2955: Nuclear materials import licensing arrangements

Published 8 April 2025

This notice sets out the licensing arrangements for imports of certain nuclear materials into the UK. It replaces all previous notices to importers on this issue from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). It has been updated to reflect the changes to the licence application process resulting from handling of applications moving from the ONR to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). 

The open general import licence (OGIL) allows all goods to be imported into the United Kingdom. However, the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Secretary of State for DBT proscribe 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, relevant nuclear materials are amongst those commodities that may not be imported under the OGIL and require individual import licences. Further detail on the import prohibitions and licensing controls in relation to nuclear materials can be found in the OGIL, including the terminology used. Please refer to the OGIL and relevant laws for complete definitions of the terms used here. 

Licence application process 

Applications for nuclear materials import licences (NMILs) will now be handled and issued by DBT through the apply for an import licence service. The forms previously used by the ONR will no longer be accepted.

You can access the ‘apply for an import licence’ service through the link provided. Please remember to save the relevant URL as a bookmark: Apply for an import licence.

You will need a GOV.UK One Login account to access the system. If you need any additional help with GOV.UK One Login, contact the GOV.UK One Login team. 

A NMIL has either a validity period of 3 months from its date of issue if covering one import shipment or a validity period of one year from its date of issue if covering multiple shipments within that period. The total quantity of the imports cannot exceed the quantity specified on the licence. 

Importers must apply to DBT for a licence to import the relevant nuclear materials with at least 30 days’ notice. 

Restrictions 

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 (CPPNM). 

An application could be refused for a variety of reasons. For example:  

• due to excessive quantities 
• legal entity of the organisation importing

Any refusal would be fully explained and the reason(s) given in an open and transparent manner.

Previously issued licences  

Amendments cannot be made to previously issued licences. New applications must be submitted if material or dates change.

A trader must apply for an import licence before the goods are transported to the UK. A licence cannot be granted if an application is made for goods at the UK border or goods otherwise held in storage in the UK prior to making a customs declaration. 

HS codes 

HS codes and descriptions in scope for the UK’s controls on the import of relevant nuclear materials 

• tariff heading: 26 12 - uranium ore and concentrates
• tariff heading: 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)

Use the current UK Trade Tariff commodity codes. If the trader is importing goods into Northern Ireland, use the NI Trade Tariff commodity codes.

Import licences for other goods 

If you have any queries about import licensing for other goods, refer to the importing goods into the UK: step by step guidance.