Firearms
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/GBR/3
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 07/12/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
The OGIL (Open General Import Licence) is a national trade control measure run by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) that allows the import of firearms into the UK, subject to the exceptions it sets out.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
The Import Licensing Branch (ILB) of the Department for Business and Trade issues import licences on its online Import Case Management System for the import of firearms, component parts of firearms, ammunition, accessories designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by the firing of a weapon and bump stocks. Certain exclusions are listed in the Annex to the OGIL, as updated from time to time, which do not require an import licence.
Ex Chapter 93
9705000030
9705000090
9706000090
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
All countries.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
No, the import licensing regime is in place for public safety reasons to ensure that only those with domestic authority to possess or sell firearms, their component parts, ammunition, noise suppressors and bump stocks can import them.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The Import Licensing Branch of the Department for Business and Trade administers the import licensing controls on firearms under conditions listed in the Open General Import Licence (OGIL). The OGIL is a national trade control measure, which allows the import of goods into the UK and sets out any applicable import controls.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Applications can be made at any time. Importers will run the risk, however, of having their firearms seized by UK customs if they do not have a valid import licence in place at the time of the import.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Yes, an import licence can be granted immediately upon request. This can only be done if either a) the importer has previously had the validity and coverage of their firearms authorities verified by the UK authorities that issued them, e.g., the Police and/or Home Office or b) the firearms are not subject to domestic possession controls provided that certain conditions excluding the firearms from those controls are met and confirmed.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
An import licence application can be submitted at any time of the year provided that the applicant is registered and set up on the Import Licensing Branch's Import Case Management System (ICMS). The Import Licencing Branch of the Department for Business and Trade will not be able to process that request when closed on a weekend or during a public holiday.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Whilst the application is entirely handled by the Import Licensing Branch of the Department for Business and Trade, we will verify the additional domestic possession documentation provided in an application with the police and/or Home Office before making a decision on granting an import licence.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applications will be refused where the applicant does not have the necessary domestic possession authority. There is an appeal process in conjunction with the Home Office firearms unit, which is responsible for firearms policy in the UK.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
Where domestic authority to possess is required, only those that hold it can import.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The applications can only be submitted online via ILB's Import Case Management System. The applicant must confirm the type of firearm, where within the Firearms Act it falls, the number of firearms, the country that they originate from and the country that they are consigned from. The applicant, depending upon the type of firearm, may need to upload copies of their firearms authorities, which would need to be verified by the authority that issued them or a copy of a deactivation certificate if the firearm has been deactivated to the relevant standards.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Import licence plus legal documentation confirming that the individual/company complies with UK authority to possess requirements.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Import Licencing Branch of Department for Business and Trade does not currently charge for the issuing of import licences.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
The validity period of a Specific Import Licence is set up to six months from its date of issue. It can be less if the applicant's firearms authorities expire within six months. Open Individual Import Licences have a validity period that matches the validity period of their Certificate of Registration as a Firearms Dealer.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable between importers.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Customs declarations.