Guidance

Export chemicals: licences and special rules

Controlled chemicals, drug precursor chemicals and hazardous chemicals.

From:
Home Office and Health and Safety Executive
Published
11 November 2016
Last updated
16 November 2023 — See all updates

You must follow the export rules for hazardous chemicals, as well as the rules for any controlled chemicals.

Export rules cover single substances as well as mixtures (also called preparations). For example, paints, inks, glues or oils. There are special rules for products that contain highly restricted chemicals.

Some countries may have import rules for certain goods. You can check by talking to your importer or getting help researching your export market.

Licences for controlled chemicals

You may need a licence to export:

If you supply chemicals that could be used to make explosives, check the legal requirements and concentration limits of the importing country.

You must report any suspicious transactions to the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.

Drug precursor chemicals

You may need a licence to possess or export drug precursor chemicals.

Hazardous chemicals - Prior Informed Consent (PIC) requirements

The export of certain hazardous chemicals is governed by the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation in Great Britain (GB). These chemicals are on the GB PIC list (on HSE website).

Different rules apply to exports from Northern Ireland.

To export chemicals listed under PIC outside Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), you must:

  • pack and label them to GB standards, unless the importing country has its own requirements
  • provide a safety data sheet, if one is required for the product, to each importer (if possible, in the official languages, or in one or more of the principal languages of the country of destination or area of intended use)
  • apply for a reference identification number (RIN) and if necessary have been given consent to import from the government of the destination country (this will need to be included on your customs declaration form) – find out more in the next section

If the product has an expiry date, you should not export it with less than 6 months remaining before the expiry date.

The requirements set out under the first 2 bullets above also apply to the export of any chemical product that is classified as hazardous.

Get a reference identification number (RIN)

You need to include a RIN in your customs declaration if either:

  • the chemical is listed in parts 1, 2 or 3 of the GB PIC list (on HSE website)
  • you export 10kg or less of any listed chemical for research or analysis to any country in any year

To apply for a RIN, download a GB PIC export notification form from the HSE website and email the completed form to ukdna@hse.gov.uk.

Chemicals listed in parts 4 and 5 of the GB PIC list (on HSE website) are banned for export and can only be exported for research and analysis in quantities of 10kg or less to any country in any year. Email ukdna@hse.gov.uk if you need help.

Making an online notification

To get a RIN you need to make an export notification at least 35 days before the date you first intend to export GB PIC listed chemicals in any year to any country, including the EU.

Chemicals in parts 2 and 3 of the GB PIC list (on HSE website) may take longer or be refused because may take longer or be refused because consent to import must be obtained from the country you are exporting to.

To notify an export, complete a GB PIC export notification form (on HSE website).

You can use the same RIN for all exports of the same chemical to the same country in the same calendar year. You do not need to make another notification.

When transporting hazardous chemicals, you will need to follow the rules for moving dangerous goods.

Annual reporting requirements

Every year you must tell HSE by 31 March about the GB PIC listed chemicals you have exported or imported during the previous year by emailing ukdna@hse.gov.uk.

Products that contain highly restricted chemicals

You need a RIN number if you export a product that both:

This includes products like batteries or telephones.

For articles, you do not need to follow the other additional export rules for chemical substances and mixtures.

If you need help, email HSE at ukdna@hse.gov.uk.

Published 11 November 2016
Last updated 16 November 2023 + show all updates

  1. Guidance on hazardous chemicals updated to include Prior Informed Consent (PIC) requirements.

  2. Updated for the end of the transition period.

  3. Updated to remove '.gsi' from email addresses

  4. 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.