Why does export licence matter?
Without the required licence, an export of controlled goods is illegal, and the exporter, carrier and customs broker can all face fines, seizure and criminal liability. A licence also gives the exporter legal certainty that the transaction is permitted. Licence conditions must be followed exactly, so a shipment that differs from the approved details can be treated as a breach.
How does export licence work in logistics?
The exporter classifies the goods against the control lists and identifies whether a licence is needed. The application is submitted to the relevant national authority, with details of the goods, buyer, end user and destination. Once granted, the licence number and conditions are recorded on the export declaration, and the shipment must match the approved details. The carrier and customs check the licence at the border, and the goods are released only if everything matches.
Types of export licences
- Individual licences for a specific transaction
- Global licences for multiple shipments to approved buyers
- General licences that apply to defined categories of goods
- Licences for dual-use goods and technology
- Licences for military and defence equipment
- Temporary export licences for samples and demonstration equipment
Example in practice
A German manufacturer of industrial measuring equipment receives an order from a laboratory in Ankara, Turkey. Some of the instruments fall under the EU dual-use list, so the exporter applies to the German export authority for an individual licence. The licence is granted for 20 instruments, to the named laboratory only. The exporter records the licence number on the export declaration for the shipment from Munich, and the truck crosses into Turkey with the approved quantity and consignee. Shipping 22 instruments instead of 20 would breach the licence.