Basic information
Outline of the system
The United Kingdom (UK) operates a system of import licences to monitor trade flows for certain agricultural products. This system does not limit access to the UK market.
The regulations implementing this system set out which products are subject to import licence requirements and the process by which operators can apply for and utilise import licences.
Import licences are issued by the Rural Payments Agency and are valid for a certain period, which varies depending upon the different products.
Once the Rural Payments Agency have received an application, which meets the criteria set out in the regulations, they will issue the relevant import licence within five working days.
Product coverage
The following goods are subject to an import licence in the United Kingdom:
i. Hemp seeds for sowing, raw hemp, hemp seeds not for sowing under the commodity codes 1207 99 20, 1207 99 91 and 5302 10 00.
The following goods are subject to an import licence in Northern Ireland only:
i. Husked, milled or broken rice products under the commodity codes 1006 20, 1006 30 and 1006 40 00.
ii. Ethyl Alcohol of agricultural origin under the commodity codes 2207 10 00, 2207 20 00, 2208 90 91 and 2208 90 99.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Automatic licensing to collect trade statistics or market surveillance
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The automatic licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The purpose is to monitor trade flows for certain agricultural products without limiting access to the UK market.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The licence system for the United Kingdom applies to all countries without exception. Licences required only in Northern Ireland are not required for imports from the European Union.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Ongoing
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The legal bases for these import licences respectively are:
The Import and Export Licences (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, laid under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 which amends retained EU law: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237 of 18 May 2016 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1239 of 18 May 2016.
The Import and Export Licensing (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2021.
Chapter I of Part III of Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013 applies in respect of Northern Ireland by virtue of the application of section 7A of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and Annex 2 of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The products which are subject to this import licensing regime are designated in the above legislation.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Revocation of this regime would require new or amended legislation to be brought before Parliament.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
To apply for a licence, an importer must have an Economic Operator's Registration and Identification number and be registered with the Rural Payments Agency.
Is there a registration fee?
There is no registration fee to become an importer.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
There is no published list of authorised importers.
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Rural Payments Agency
Address
Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH
Telephone
+44 (0) 3300 416500
Fax
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Rural Payments Agency
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
There are no requirements regarding the format of an application, but guidance on how to apply for a licence can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/licences-for-the-importexport-of-agricultura....
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
A licence is granted without delay after a valid application has been lodged, within five working days.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
A licence is issued within five working days of receiving a valid application. The day an application for a licence is lodged shall be deemed to be the working day on which it is received by the licence issuing authority, provided that it has been received not later than midday. A licence is valid from the day of issue.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The Rural Payments Agency administers all licence applications.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No other conditions are attached to the issuance of a non-quota import licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There are no fees for applying for a non-quota import licence.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Please see Answer 47
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Import licences for hemp or hemp seeds are only issued where the conditions laid down in Article 189(1) of retained EU Regulation 1308/2013 have been met.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Reasons for refusal are given to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Otherwise, the legislation does not give grounds for refusal of an application for a licence other than failure to meet the ordinary eligibility criteria.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
No appeal procedures are specified in the legislation.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
When the import declaration is made, a copy of the relevant import licence, in an electronic form or otherwise, must be presented to customs.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures are required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Applications for a non-quota import licence for rice or ethyl alcohol require a security to be lodged. This security is returned when the obligation to import is considered to have been fulfilled. The relevant securities and the period of validity are set out below.
|
Commodity code |
Description |
Amount of security |
Period of Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1006 20 |
Husked (brown) rice, including products imported under tariff rate quotas managed by FCFS |
£26/t |
until the end of the 2nd month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
1006 30 |
Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed, including products imported under tariff rate quotas managed by FCFS |
£26/t |
until the end of the 2nd month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
1006 40 00 |
Broken rice, including products imported under tariff rate quotas managed by FCFS |
£1/t |
until the end of the 2nd month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
ex 2207 10 00 |
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher |
£1 per hectolitre |
until the end of the 4th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
ex 2207 20 00 |
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength |
£1 per hectolitre |
until the end of the 4th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
ex 2208 90 91 |
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% vol |
£1 per hectolitre |
until the end of the 4th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
ex 2208 90 99 |
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 % vol. |
£1 per hectolitre |
until the end of the 4th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
ex 1207 99 20 |
Seeds of varieties of hemp, for sowing |
No security required |
until the end of the 6th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
1207 99 91 |
Hemp seeds other than for sowing
|
No security required |
until the end of the 6th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
|
5302 10 00 |
True hemp, raw or retted |
No security required |
until the end of the 6th month following the month of the day of issue of the licence |
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
If the licence is not used within the period of validity, then any security which has been lodged will be forfeited.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Import authorisations are transferable between importers. Import licences constitute a right and give rise to an obligation to import under the licence during its period of validity. As a general rule, rights deriving from licences are transferable by the titular holder of the licence during the period of its validity, but obligations deriving from licences are not transferable. The original licence holder should apply to the Rural Payments Agency to transfer the licence. Transferees must have an EORI number and be registered with the Rural Payments Agency.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as well as to cover import licences.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as well as to cover import licences.