Export control

The Government controls UK exports of strategic goods, technology and software for important reasons, including safeguarding the national and collective security of the UK and its allies.

The Export Control Organisation

Part of the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) – is responsible for assessing export licences applications for specific categories of controlled goods and for issuing or refusing licences as appropriate. Any item exported from the UK that is subject to export control needs a licence.

New notices are issued frequently in the year and potential exporters are advised to check regularly for changes by looking at the Export Control Organisation website page and visiting Notices to Exporters:

http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/export-control-organisation/eco-notices-exporters

Applications to export controlled goods and technology need to be the made direct to the Export Control Organisation.

• Visit www.bis.gov.uk/exportcontrol for more information.

MOD form 680

Companies that seek to release classified information overseas for use in export promotion need to apply for clearance to the Ministry of Defence using MOD Form 68O. For companies about to embark on a marketing campaign the F680 gives an indication of whether an export licence would be likely to be approved, but does not remove the need for an export licence. An F680 must have been approved before UKTI Defence and Security Organisation will give support to an export campaign.

A general description of the purpose of the F680 can be found here.