Guidance

Apply to export controlled goods

Apply for licences and approvals you need to export controlled goods.

Use this service to apply for licences and approvals you need to export controlled goods.

A good can be a physical item or something intangible like a training programme.

Licences and approvals you can apply for using this service

  • standard individual export licence (SIEL)
  • Form 680 (F680) security approval

Sign in or set up an account

Start now

When not to use this service

Use SPIRE to apply:

  • for F680 approvals to release only unclassified International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) items or information
  • for temporary SIELs with multiple end users  
  • for transhipment SIELs
  • SIELs for Category 0 goods, software and technology
  • to export Category 1 and Category 2 controlled radioactive sources
  • to export goods and provide ancillary services (these are services related to the export of tangible goods) to certain sanctioned destinations:
    • Belarus
    • Burma (Myanmar)
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Lebanon
    • Libya
    • North Korea (DPRK)
    • Russia
    • Syria
    • Venezuela
    • Zimbabwe

You must also use SPIRE to export goods, software and technology with the control list entries in the table:

Category Control list entries
Software 2D352, 3D006, 3E003h
Marine 8A002o4
Technology 9E003a2e, 9E003k
List of capital punishment and torture goods annex II 1.1 to 1.4, 2.1 to 2.8, 3.1 and 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2
List of capital punishment and torture goods annex III 1.1 to 1.3, 2.1 to 2.3, 3.1 to 3.6
List of capital punishment and torture goods annex IV 1.1

To provide standalone services, including professional and business services, to sanctioned destinations, apply for a licence to provide sanctioned trade services.

Before you start

If you’re part of an organisation, you will need a user account that is connected to your organisation’s account.

Create your account

  1. Set up a GOV.UK One Login account.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your ‘apply to export controlled goods’ account.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account for your organisation.

If your organisation already has an account, ask a colleague with access to add you. They can do this through the ‘manage your organisation and personal details’ link within ‘account home’.

Help with your application

Email lite.support@businessandtrade.gov.uk if you need access to SPIRE.

Read the SIEL guidance for more details on this licence, including supporting documents.

Read the F680 guidance for more information about this security approval.

Watch our export control webinars for support with registration and making a SIEL application.

For progress on your case or to give feedback on this service, contact the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) Helpdesk at exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

This service has been designed in line with the government accessibility strategy. However, if you encounter issues that affect your accessibility needs, contact lite.support@businessandtrade.gov.uk or call +44(0)20 7215 4594 (select option 2).

Updates to this page

Published 7 July 2025

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