The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) will soon be expanding its licensing role. From Monday 27 April, OTSI will become responsible for licensing sanctioned goods (and associated ancillary services) for export to sanctioned destinations. This builds on OTSI’s existing responsibilities for licensing sanctioned standalone services, such as professional business services.
Licensing goods and ancillary services which are subject to both strategic export controls and sanctions, as well as goods and ancillary services subject to export controls only, remains the responsibility of the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).
We will publish further information and updated guidance on export sanctions licensing ahead of Monday 27 April. We will also update statutory guidance to set out which licensing body has responsibility for specific prohibitions.
What does this mean for you?
The application process for an export sanctions licence will not change. From 27 April, you should continue to submit applications to export all sanctioned goods to sanctioned destinations through DBT’s SPIRE service.
For now, OTSI will process licence applications for the export of sanctioned goods and associated ancillary services controls via SPIRE. OTSI will be responsible for incoming applications from 27 April onwards.
If your application includes goods and ancillary services subject to both sanctions and strategic export controls, it will be assessed by ECJU on SPIRE, as now.
Where applicable, OTSI will issue a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) via SPIRE. This will ensure the licences OTSI issues for the movement of goods can be provided to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Border Force immediately, to minimise any disruption to business.
Exporters seeking a sanctions licence to provide standalone services should continue to use the dedicated OTSI online portal.
Visit us online
Use OTSI’s contact form if you have any questions about these changes.
OTSI can only advise on whether you require a licence if you submit a licence application. This is because we require detailed information in order to make the assessment. Please consult how to apply for a trade sanctions licence for more guidance or to start an application. This will be updated from 27 April.
https://otsi.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/09/expanding-otsis-licensing-remit/
seen at 18:30, 9 April in Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation.