The majority of goods can be imported into the United Kingdom without the need to apply for an import licence.
There are controls on imports including firearms, plants and animals, foods, medicines, textiles and chemicals. Whether you need a licence can also depend on where the goods are coming from.
Currently ILB issues import licences for a small number of goods mainly to implement:

BIS’ trade policy measures (these measures may be in the form of quantitive quotas where the volume will be restricted, or freely issued prior surveillance licences so that volumes imported may be monitored)

• certain textiles from Belarus, North Korea and Uzbekistan
• iron & steel

For safety reasons (these imports are generally issued only to those with domestic authority to possess)

• firearms and ammunition

Imports – Firearms
Importers must be registered firearms dealers and have the appropriate licence from BIS to accompany firearms and ammunition.Find more information on the Import Licensing Branch page on the BIS website – Opens in a new window.

Imports – animals
Imports of animals and captive birds (excluding pet birds, poultry and birds destined for approved institutes and zoos) are controlled by the issuing of animal health certificates and post-import veterinary inspections. Captive birds arriving into England are also required to be taken to an approved quarantine centre for assessment and testing. Additional controls apply to endangered birds and animals. Read about importing animals and birds on the Defra website – Opens in a new window.

Imports of food are also controlled and must comply with regulations such as food safety, packaging, labelling and additives.
Imports of organic food may also need authorisation before they can be marketed as organic. Read about imports of organic food on the Defra website – Opens in a new window.

Imports – Medicial products
Imports of medicinal products are subject to licensing. Download guidance for wholesale dealers from the MHRA website (PDF, 273K) – Opens in a new window.

Read about importing unlicensed medicines on the MHRA website – Opens in a new window.

Anyone wishing to import controlled drugs will generally require licensing from the Home Office Drugs Branch. Read about import licences on the Drugs.gov.uk website – Opens in a new window.

Imports – Plants
Imports of plants are controlled by the issuing of phytosanitary certificates. Further controls apply to some endangered plants. Download a guide to plant passports from the Fera website (PDF, 1.6MB) – Opens in a new window.

Imports of wood and wood packaging material are controlled. Read about imports of wood and wood packaging on the Forestry Commission website – Opens in a new window.

Imports Chemicals
Importers of dangerous chemicals must identify the hazards, provide information about them and package the product safely. Under Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation, importers or manufacturers of more than one tonne of chemicals a year must register with the European Chemicals Agency. Read about REACH legislation on the HSE website – Opens in a new window.

Read about the Notification of New Substances Regulations on the HSE website – Opens in a new window.
Imports of some dangerous products such as asbestos are prohibited or require special authorisation. For advice, call the HSE Infoline on Tel 0845 345 0055.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also controls trade in ozone-depleting substances (ODS). To import ODS, you must have a licence from the European Commission under Council Regulation (EEC) 2037/2000. You can request a licence from the European Commission using their online ODS-database on the Europa website – Opens in a new window.

Imports – Vehicles
You do not generally need a licence to import an ordinary vehicle. However, the vehicle must be registered and have a valid vehicle licence (tax disc) before being used or kept on public roads. Read about importing a vehicle on the Directgov website – Opens in a new window.

Other controls may apply to the goods you are importing. For example, imports of food are controlled and food products must also comply with regulations such as food safety, labelling and additives.
Imports of organic food may also need authorisation before they can be marketed as organic. Read about imports of organic food on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website – Opens in a new window.

Imports and exports of radioactive substances are subject to additional controls. Read guidance on radioactive substances on the Environment Agency website – Opens in a new window.

For more information, call the HMRC National Advice Service Enquiry Line on Tel 0845 010 9000.

Further Information