Notice NTE 2023/21: End User Advisory Service

THE End User Advisory Service enables exporters to seek advice on whether exports to named overseas entities will require licences because of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) or military end use concerns. This advice is ‘non-statutory’ which means it does not constitute advice on how to follow the law and is no substitute for legal guidance. However, we recognise it is a helpful and important service for exporters to understand how export control rules might apply to them.

The current system is processing around 14,500 enquiries per year. This has increased substantially compared to previous years. This is in large part because of Russian sanctions, as well as the enhancement of the Government’s Military End Use Controls and their inclusion of China. For example, enquiries about Chinese end users alone have increased by 14.5% from May 2022, when the Military End Use Control changes took effect, to April 2023.

This significant increase in demand has been challenging for the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) to manage and as a result, exporters have experienced some delays in responses to end user advice enquiries, particularly for Russia and China. Some end user queries have proved unnecessary. So, to ensure that the  resources of the End User Advisory Service are focused in the most useful and productive way, and help you avoid submitting unnecessary queries,  some reminders and additional guidance on how to use the Service have been provided.

For further details click here.