Guidance

Other types of open general export licence

Details of open general export licences that don't fit into other categories, but remove the need to apply for standard individual export licence.

This guidance was withdrawn on

This page has been withdrawn because it is out of date. You can find out more about the ECJU at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/export-control-organisation

Introduction

There are a number of open general export Licences (OGELs) that do not fall neatly into other categories.

OGELs are pre-published export licences issued by the Export Control Organisation (ECO). They are the most flexible type of strategic export licence available for use by exporters, as long as all pre-set conditions can be met. In each case they allow the export of specified controlled items (identified by a ‘control list entry’ heading) to specific destinations permitted by the licence. For more background, read about open general licences: an overview.

If you can meet all OGEL licensing conditions, you do not need to apply for a standard individual export licence (SIEL). If however you cannot and the goods are still controlled then you will need to apply for a SIEL.

All OGEL holders are subject to regular compliance audits conducted by the ECO.

Your responsibilities in using an OGEL

Before using any OGEL for your export purposes, you should first check that you can meet all its defined terms and conditions. To do so, you can use the ECO’s OGEL checker database. You should also know the control list classification or ‘rating’ of your product. If you are unsure what this is, you should consult the UK Strategic Export Control Lists. For more information, see guidance about strategic exports: when to request an export licence.

It is also your responsibility as the exporter to:

  • register to use OGELs on ECO’s export licensing database, SPIRE
  • use OGELs within all pre-defined terms and conditions
  • keep up-to-date with any OGEL amendments - eg changes to permitted or excluded destinations or goods
  • be prepared for compliance audits

OGL (Iraq)

This open general licence is intended to cover pre-export activity that takes place - either within the UK or overseas - where the end user of the intended goods will be the government of Iraq or the multinational force (this includes bodies contracted to either) and those goods are to be supplied from the UK.

It authorises:

  • the supply or delivery of military goods within the UK
  • agreement to supply or deliver military goods within the UK or Iraq
  • any act, below a restricted classification, calculated to promote the supply or delivery of military goods within the UK or Iraq which are intended for the use of the government of Iraq or the multinational force

However, the licence does not authorise:

  • the exportation of any goods from any country
  • the supply or delivery of any goods to anyone or any destination outside the UK
  • agreement to supply or deliver any goods to Iraq from any person or destination outside the UK
  • any activity outside the UK, which is prohibited by the laws of the territory where it is to be carried out

Download the current OGL (Iraq)

Where an authorisation is required for any of the above a separate licence will be required. For more information, see the guide on the embargoes and sanctions on Iraq.

OGEL (Radioactive sources)

This OGEL permits - without further authority, but subject to certain conditions - the export of the items specified in Schedule 1 of the OGEL from the UK to any destination specified in Schedule 2 of the OGEL.

The licence will not apply if the exporter knows or has grounds to suspect or has been notified by the Secretary of State that the export will or may lead to the carrying out anywhere in the world of acts of terrorism or serious crime.

Download the current OGEL (Radioactive Sources)

Read more about controls on radioactive sources

OGEL (Objects of cultural interest)

This is an OGEL published by the Arts Council, the national development agency for the arts in England which is funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Arts Council are responsible for export licensing of cultural goods.

The OGEL covers various cultural items. Its sole interest for the ECO is that it deals with certain firearms, arms and armour.

Apply for an export licence for cultural goods.

Organisations that can help

Contact:

Export Licensing Unit
Arts Council England
14 Great Peter Street
London SW1P 3NQ

You can call the Export Licensing Unit on 020 7973 5188 / 5228 / 5139 / 5194 / 5241 or email them at elu@artscouncil.org.uk

Further information

BIS ECO helpline

020 7215 4594 or email: eco.help@bis.gsi.gov.uk

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Published 12 September 2012
Last updated 20 April 2015 + show all updates
  1. Removed reference to the open general export licence (government of Sierra Leone) as this licence has been revoked.

  2. Deleted Open General Export Licence (Accompanied personal effects: sporting firearms) as this licence is revoked from 29 September 2013.

  3. Amended broken links and added related guides

  4. First published.