DIT classes export licensing as a ‘business critical operation’ during COVID-19 crisis

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) is continuing to handle applications for export licences through the COVID-19 crisis.

ECJU is part of the Department for International Trade (DIT), which has identified the processing of export licence applications as a “business critical operation” during the virus disruption.

Last week, ECJU issued two notices to exporters on the impact of the virus on their services.

The first, regarding export licensing, said it was “essential that businesses continue to receive the authorisations required to export items of a military and dual use nature”.

To ensure licencing continues, technical assessments, end-use checks and applications reviews will be operating as normal

Businesses will receive communications on their applications from the SPIRE system, including any requests for further information on individual cases.

The Ministry of Defence team in the ECJU will also continue to process MOD Forms 680s, crown exemptions and open general licence (OGEL) authorisation letters.

For compliance/inspection programmes, site audits will no longer take place and will be conducted remotely. Inspectors will contact businesses to discuss how remote audits can be undertaken.

A second notice to exporters from the ECJU announced the cancellation of their training courses from now till mid-June.

The Institute of Export & International Trade is continuing to run training courses through online classrooms, and you can view all our available courses here.

You can read the IOE&IT’s latest Covid-19 update at: https://www.export.org.uk/page/COVID-19