Notice

NTI 2946: Iran (nuclear weapons) import sanctions

Updated 30 April 2025

This notice provides an overview of the import prohibitions in force on certain goods imported into the UK, including Northern Ireland, that have originated or been consigned from Iran. It also sets out the licensing process for traders looking to import goods subject to prohibitions.

It should be read alongside the statutory guidance in case of conflict with the statutory guidance published by the FCDO, the statutory guidance will prevail.

Background

The came into force on 1 January 2021 and have replaced, with substantially the same effect, relevant existing EU legislation, corresponding prohibitions in the Open General Import Licence (OGIL) and related UK regulations.

The regulations impose financial, trade and immigration sanctions for the purpose of:

• giving effect to the United Kingdom바카라 사이트檚 obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) (바카라 사이트楿NSCR 2231바카라 사이트�)
• the additional statutory purposes set out in the regulations

This sanctions regime is aimed at:

• encouraging the Iranian government to comply with relevant UN obligations and abandon nuclear weapons programmes
• restricting the ability of Iran to develop nuclear weapons delivery systems

Import prohibitions

There is one import prohibition specified in the Iran Nuclear Sanctions Regulations.

Regulation 28

The import of the following goods is prohibited:

• arms and related materiel
  • this includes all military goods, and anything which falls within chapter 93 of the Goods Classification table, other than military goods
• missile-list goods
• nuclear-list goods
• other restricted goods

These goods are prohibited where they are:

• consigned from or originating in Iran
  • this means that even if the immediate place the goods were shipped from was not Iran, the prohibition may still apply

Exceptions

also sets out exceptions to some of the import prohibitions which apply within certain defined circumstances. An exception applies automatically and does not require you to obtain a licence issued in accordance with the regulations. There is one exception specified in the Iran (Nuclear Weapons) Sanctions Regulations.

Regulation 38

The prohibitions mentioned above do not apply if the act is one which a 바카라 사이트渞esponsible officer바카라 사이트� (for example, a government or agency official) has determined would be in the interests of national security, or the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

Trade sanction licences

A licence is a written authorisation that permits an otherwise prohibited activity. See聽guidance on how to apply for a trade sanctions licence聽for information on the types of trade sanctions licences available.

Please note, it is for the trader to carry out their own due diligence, determining any relevant controls or actions they may need to take, including obtaining the correct licence.聽If you are unclear about your obligations or responsibilities, you are advised to seek independent legal advice.

Import licences

DBT바카라 사이트檚 Import Controls and Sanctions Team is responsible for administering the licensing provisions on behalf of the Secretary of State for all trade sanctions licence applications from importers.

Where traders are looking to import prohibited goods, and where an exception does not apply, you will need to聽. If you do not already have an account, you will need to create a 바카라 사이트 One Login account. Once logged in, please submit an importer access request and, under 바카라 사이트榃hat are you importing and where are you importing it from바카라 사이트�, please also state that you wish to apply for a Sanctions and Adhoc Licence, include your 12-digit聽贰翱搁滨听苍耻尘产别谤聽and the relevant commodity codes associated with your import.

Once the importer access request has been approved, you will be able to submit your licence application. We will then consider each application on a case-by-case basis to determine whether granting a licence would be consistent with the stated purposes of the sanctions regime and any聽UN聽or other relevant international law obligations.

For certain prohibitions there are some specific activities that we consider likely to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions regime. These are set out below and in further detail in the statutory guidance. If you think that your proposed activity falls within one of these specific descriptions, you should make this clear and explain why you believe this to be the case in your application for a licence. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is ultimately responsible for decisions to grant or refuse a trade sanctions licence in any individual case.

For further instructions, contact聽importsanctions@businessandtrade.gov.uk聽in the first instance, with details of your proposed import.

You should not assume that a licence will be granted or engage in any activities prohibited by trade sanctions until your licence has been granted. If you are unclear on any aspect of the regulations and in what cases a trade sanctions licence is required, we recommend that you seek independent legal advice in the first instance.

Licences granted will not permit activity in respect of Northern Ireland that is not consistent with EU sanctions regulations as they apply via the Windsor Framework^{[footnote 1]}.You will also have to comply with any other licensing requirements under UK import control legislation as applicable.

Considerations for licensing

Licences may be issued for the import of 바카라 사이트榥uclear-list goods바카라 사이트�, and the acquisition or transfer of nuclear-list technology, on the condition that the Secretary of State notifies the Joint Commission of all licences granted under these measures.

Licences may be issued for the import of other restricted goods, and the acquisition or transfer of other restricted technology, subject to one or more of the following conditions being met:

• a licence may be granted for the import of other restricted goods, or the acquisition or transfer of 바카라 사이트榦ther restricted technology바카라 사이트� unless the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to determine that the actions concerned would contribute to reprocessing or enrichment related, heavy water-related or other nuclear related activities inconsistent with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

• a licence may be granted for the import of other restricted goods, or the acquisition or transfer of 바카라 사이트榦ther restricted technology바카라 사이트� where such activity relates directly to:

  • the necessary modification of 2 cascades at the Fordow facility for stable isotope production
  • the export of Iran바카라 사이트檚 enriched uranium in excess of 300 kilograms in return for natural uranium
  • the modernisation of the Arak reactor based on the agreed conceptual design and, subsequently, on the agreed final design of such reactor

This is provided that the activities will be undertaken strictly in accordance with the JCPOA.

Licence applications must demonstrate (and a licence may be refused if you cannot show) that the Secretary of State will have a right to verify the end-use and end-use location of any supplied item (in that such rights have been obtained and can be exercised effectively). An end use statement will need to be completed with your application.

In line with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Protocol, licences are not required for imports or exports of non-military goods covered by sanctions between Northern Ireland and EU Member States. Licences will however be required from the relevant EU Member State to move items to or from the sanctioned country. You will also have to comply with any other licensing requirements under UK import or export control legislation as applicable.

Enforcement of trade sanctions

The makes it a criminal offence to contravene the trade sanctions. Some breaches of the import sanctions prohibitions are triable either way and carry a maximum sentence on indictment of 7 years바카라 사이트� imprisonment or a fine (or both). Under , the maximum sentence has been modified to 10 years바카라 사이트� imprisonment. Any breach of the trade licensing provisions or information requirements in connection with general trade licences is also triable either way and carries a maximum sentence on indictment of 2 years바카라 사이트� imprisonment or a fine (or both).

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for enforcing the licensing restrictions and investigating suspected offences.

If you discover that you have breached any of the trade prohibitions or licensing provisions, you should report the irregularity to HMRC (sometimes known as 바카라 사이트榲oluntary disclosure바카라 사이트�) as soon as possible.

Enquiries

For further information on import sanctions, contact importsanctions@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

For information on export controls:

• contact the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) on 020 7215 4594
• 别尘补颈濒听exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk
• subscribe to the聽

For specific queries on export-related trade sanctions, contact tradesanctions@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

If your query is related to trade services sanctions, contact otsi@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

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This document is for information purposes only and has no force in law. Please note that where legal advice is required, importers should make their own arrangements.

1. 바카라 사이트榃indsor Framework바카라 사이트� has the same meaning as in聽聽of the EU and the United Kingdom in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee of 24 March 2023.聽鈫�