Mr. Sanctions

Category: Notices to Exporters

  • February 27, 2026: Notice to Exporters 2026/04: ECJU experiencing technical difficulties…

    NTE 2026/04: licence transmission issues between LITE/SPIRE and CDS

    Issue summary

    The Department for Business and Trade is aware of an ongoing issue affecting the transmission of export licences from LITE/SPIRE to HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS). As a result, some consignments arriving at the border may not be cleared in the usual way if the relevant licence information has not reached CDS. This issue is being investigated as a matter of urgency, and we are monitoring any impact on exporters or freight agents.

    How to report a problem

    If you experience a problem whilst submitting a declaration, please use the link to report the problem to CDS.

    Contact  ECJU

    General queries about strategic export licensing

    Export Control Joint Unit
    Department for Business and Trade
    Old Admiralty Building
    Admiralty Place
    London
    SW1A 2DY

    Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7215 4594

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  • Notice to Exporters 2026/03: Illegal Exports lead to jail

    NTE 2026/03: company director jailed for illegal export

    Introduction

    A company director has been jailed for attempting to export military‑grade night vision rifle sights to Hong Kong without the required licence.

    Summary

    Key facts of the case include:

    • Steven Gates, 47, from Wakefield, attempted to export 8 thermal imaging rifle sights classified as ML1d under the UK Military List
    • he misdescribed the items as “low‑value cameras” to conceal their controlled status
    • Border Force seized 3 scopes at Manchester Airport in February 2022 and another 5 in April 2023
    • a search of Gates’ home uncovered evidence of 10 further unlicensed shipments to Hong Kong
    • he was convicted under sections 68 and 167 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
    • Gates received a 2 year and 1 month prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court on 6 February 2026

    HMRC enforcement

    The UK operates strict export controls and a partial arms embargo on China and Hong Kong.

    HMRC has increased enforcement significantly, with 51 criminal investigations in 2024 to 2025, up from 5 in 2021 to 2022.

    HMRC statement

    Edwige Hill, Deputy Director, Fraud Investigation Service, said:

    “This was a calculated attempt to bypass the UK’s strict licensing regime. Anyone seeking to export military items without a licence will be detected and brought to justice.”

    Voluntary disclosures

    HMRC operates a voluntary disclosure process for unlicensed exports of strategic or sanctioned goods.

    Outcomes can include:

    • educational visits
    • written warnings
    • compound settlements
    • referral for prosecution

    Information on recent compound settlements is available through the Export Control Joint Unit’s Notices to Exporters collection.

    Guidance on how to submit a voluntary disclosure is provided in the export controls for military goods, software and technology guidance.

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  • January 29, 2026: Notice to Exporters 2026/02: updated guidance on open licence returns

    Export Control & Sanctions

    The guidance for submitting open licence returns has been updated to reflect changes in reporting requirements and to provide clearer instructions for exporters.

    This includes an updated list of open general export licences (OGELs) that now require an open licence return (OLR), along with revised explanations of what information must be recorded and how returns should be submitted.

    These updates are intended to help exporters meet their compliance obligations by improving the accuracy and consistency of reporting. Exporters should review the updated guidance and ensure their internal processes are aligned with the new requirements ahead of their next reporting cycle.

    Contact ECJU

    General queries about strategic export licensing

    Export Control Joint Unit
    Department for Business and Trade
    Old Admiralty Building
    Admiralty Place
    London
    SW1A 2DY

    Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7215 4594

    NTE 2026/02 page

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  • January 29, 2026: Notice to Exporters 2026/01: exporter notices and e‑alert sign‑up

    Export Control & Sanctions

    Keeping you updated

    We are aware that some external users have experienced difficulties subscribing to updates for content relating to export controls after the migration to a new e-alert system in late 2025. This is separate to the GOV.UK page‑level subscriptions. This may affect user awareness of Notices to Exporters (NTEs), training announcements and outreach activity.

    Action for stakeholders

    To ensure consistent and reliable communication, we are directing you to the ECJU e‑alert service for UK sanctions and strategic export controls to receive updates. This remains our central channel for distributing notices to exporters, training information and updates on export control requirements.

    New training and open licence courses

    You can access the latest ECJU training sessions, such as a new short run of regional training providing essential guidance for exporters using open licences. These pages are updated regularly.

    Find training on export control compliance.

    Contact ECJU

    General queries about strategic export licensing

    Export Control Joint Unit
    Department for Business and Trade
    Old Admiralty Building
    Admiralty Place
    London
    SW1A 2DY

    Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7215 4594

    Notice to Exporters 2026/01 page

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