Guidance

Applying for a licence to import or export ozone-depleting substances

You must have a licence to import or export ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to and from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

From:
Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
16 October 2019
Last updated
29 July 2021 — See all updates

When you need a licence

You need a licence to import and export ODS for:

  • use as a feedstock (bulk ODS that are chemically transformed into other substances)
  • use as a process agent
  • laboratory and analytical use
  • halons for critical uses, for example in aircraft fire extinguishing systems or military equipment
  • metered dose inhalers (for export only – you cannot import metered dose inhalers containing ODS)
  • destruction (for import only – you cannot export ODS for destruction)

You need a licence to trade all groups of regulated ODS (except Part A and Part B substances) with Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. 

Aircraft

You need a licence if you want to:

  • import an aircraft containing halons for critical use into Great Britain
  • export an aircraft containing halons for critical use outside of Great Britain
  • import critical use halons for your aircraft into Great Britain
  • export critical use halons for your aircraft outside of Great Britain

You do not need a licence if you import or export halons in aircraft under temporary admissions procedures for less than 45 days.

Apply for a licence

You must:

  1. Register for an account on the ODS service.
  2. Apply for an ODS licence.

It is against the law to import or export ODS without a valid import or export licence, or to import or export ODS for any other uses. You could be prosecuted if you break the law.
Read the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy.

Published 16 October 2019
Last updated 29 July 2021 + show all updates

  1. Licence information added for trade with Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

  2. Updated with guidance on applying for a licence to import or export ODS from 1 January.

  3. First published.

Contents

Part of Export goods from the UK: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need to follow this process

    Follow these steps if you're moving goods permanently from:

    • England, Wales or Scotland (Great Britain) to a country outside the UK
    • Northern Ireland to a country outside the UK and the EU

    What you need to do is different if you are:

    1. Learn about exporting, including making export plans, on great.gov.uk

  2. Step 2 Check the rules for exporting your goods

    1. Check duties, rules and restrictions for your goods in the destination country

  3. and Apply for any licences you need to export your goods

    There are special rules and you may need to get licences or certificates if you are exporting any of the following:

  4. Step 3 Get your business ready to export

    You need an EORI number that starts with GB to export goods from England, Wales or Scotland.

    If you move goods to or from Northern Ireland you may need one that starts with XI.

    1. Get an EORI number
    1. Check if you need to register for VAT

    There are processes that can make clearing customs quicker and easier to manage if you export goods regularly.

    1. Find out about using simplified declaration procedures
    2. Check if you can use Common Transit to move your goods
    3. Check if Authorised Economic Operator status is right for you

  5. and Check whoever's receiving the goods can import them

    The business or person receiving the goods to may need:

    • to make an import declaration in their country
    • licences or certificates to receive goods from the UK

    Check whoever you are sending the goods to is able to import them into their country.

  6. Step 4 Decide who will make export declarations and transport the goods

    You can hire someone to deal with customs and transport the goods for you, or you can do it yourself.

    1. Find out how to hire someone to deal with customs for you
    2. Find out how to make export declarations yourself
    3. Find out how to transport goods out of the UK by road

  7. Step 5 Classify your goods

    You must find the right commodity code to classify the goods you're exporting.

    Your customs agent or transporter might be able to help you with this.

    1. Find the right commodity code for your goods

  8. Step 6 Prepare the invoice and other documentation for your goods

    The completed invoice and any licences or certificates must travel with the goods.

    When filling in the value of your goods on the invoice, use the price you’re selling them for. If you're not selling the goods, use the market value of the goods. List any freight or export insurance you included in the price separately.

    You may need proof of origin if exporting to a country where your goods have a reduced or zero rate of duty.

    1. Get proof of origin for your goods

    You might be able to zero rate the goods for VAT. This means you can charge your customers VAT at 0%.

    1. Check if you can zero rate the goods for VAT

  9. Step 7 Get your goods through customs

    If you've appointed someone to deal with UK customs for you, they'll make the declaration and get your goods through the UK border.

    1. Make an export declaration and get your goods cleared by UK customs

    You may need other documentation to get your goods into the destination country. Ask the person or business buying your goods what information you need to provide.

    1. Check how to bring goods back into the UK if they were rejected for import at another country’s border

  10. Step 8 Keep invoices and records

    You must keep commercial invoices and any customs paperwork.

    If you're VAT registered, record the goods in your VAT accounts even if they are zero-rated.

    1. Find out how to record the goods in your VAT accounts

    If you exported controlled goods, for example firearms, keep the paperwork that shows who owns the goods.