UK Export Licence Assistant

What this assistant covers

This assistant is specifically intended for exporters dealing with military and ex military vehicles, trailers, vehicle parts and associated equipment.

Military vehicles Ex MOD trucks, specialist vehicles, recovery vehicles, fire vehicles, armoured vehicles and other vehicles designed or modified for military use.

Military trailers Military cargo trailers, specialist trailers, equipment trailers and other trailers designed or modified for military use.

Vehicle parts Engines, gearboxes, axles, suspension, driveline parts, specialist components and other vehicle parts.

Military equipment Specialist equipment fitted to, supplied with or associated with military vehicles.

Non vehicle equipment Items such as flat racks, specialist containers, platforms and other equipment where military design, modification, control status or end use may be relevant.

Technical information Certain technical information, software and technology associated with controlled military goods may also be subject to export controls.

Ex military does not automatically mean uncontrolled

A vehicle or item does not automatically become uncontrolled because it has left military service.

Age, civilian ownership, road registration, surplus status, demilitarisation or civilian use do not by themselves determine whether an export licence is required.

The specification, design, modification, control-list classification, destination, end user and circumstances of the export must be considered.

Always establish the export-control position before the vehicle, trailer, part or equipment leaves the UK.

LITE is now the main route for SIEL applications

The UK Government's new Apply to Export Controlled Goods service, known as LITE, is now the main online route for Standard Individual Export Licence applications in most cases.

The service can be used to apply for a Standard Individual Export Licence, known as a SIEL, and for Form 680 security approval.

For a permanent export of a controlled military vehicle, trailer, component or other controlled item where an appropriate OGEL does not apply, LITE will normally be the first application route to consider.

Apply using LITE LITE Guidance on GOV.UK

LITE requires a GOV.UK One Login and an appropriate organisation account where applicable.

LITE or SPIRE?

Do not assume that SPIRE has completely disappeared. Some export licence applications still have to be made through SPIRE.

Primary route

LITE

Use LITE for most SIEL applications involving controlled military or dual use goods.

Permanent SIEL applications in most cases
Specified military vehicle exports
Specified trailer exports
Controlled components and parts
Other controlled goods within the service scope
Most F680 applications

Open LITE

Exceptions

SPIRE

SPIRE remains necessary for specific applications and specific controlled activities.

Unclassified ITAR only F680 applications
Temporary SIELs with multiple end users
Transhipment SIELs
Category 0 goods, software and technology
Specified radioactive sources
Certain sanctioned destination applications
Certain specific control-list entries

Open SPIRE

Items commonly encountered in military vehicle exports

1

Complete military vehicles Former military trucks, specialist vehicles, recovery vehicles, fire vehicles, armoured vehicles and other vehicles designed or modified for military use may require an export licence.

2

Military trailers A trailer does not automatically fall outside export controls because it has no engine. Its design, military specification, intended function and modifications may be relevant.

3

Vehicle components and spare parts Engines, transmissions, axles, suspension, specialist driveline components and other parts may require separate consideration.

4

Equipment fitted to vehicles Communications equipment, observation equipment, specialist electrical systems and other military equipment may have their own control status.

5

Non vehicle items Items such as flat racks, specialist platforms, containers or other equipment should also be assessed where military design, modification, specification or end use may bring them within export controls.

What about a flat rack?

A conventional commercial flat rack is not automatically a controlled military item simply because it is being used to transport a military vehicle or equipment.

However, you should assess the actual item being exported. A flat rack or platform that has been specially designed or modified for military use, or which falls within another applicable control or end use provision, may require an export licence.

The fact that the flat rack is being exported together with a military vehicle does not by itself establish its control classification.

Check Strategic Control List Goods Checker

Before you apply

Gather the technical and commercial information before starting the application. This is particularly important for complete vehicles and specialist military equipment.

1

Identify the exact item Record the manufacturer, model, type, chassis number, serial number where applicable, year, specification and significant modifications.

2

Establish the control classification Determine whether the item appears on the UK Strategic Export Control List or is controlled through another export-control provision.

3

Identify the destination The destination country can affect whether an OGEL is available and whether sanctions or other restrictions apply.

4

Identify the consignee and end user A SIEL application requires details of the relevant consignee and/or end user.

5

Establish the end use Record what the vehicle, trailer, part or equipment will actually be used for after export.

6

Check for an OGEL Before making an individual application, check whether an appropriate Open General Export Licence covers the particular goods, destination and circumstances.

OGEL or SIEL?

Question	OGEL	SIEL
Is this a licence for a specific export?	No	Yes
Can it cover repeated exports?	Yes, subject to its conditions	It covers the specified goods, quantities and destination arrangements
Does the destination have to be permitted?	Yes	Yes
Must all licence conditions be met?	Yes	Yes
What if the OGEL conditions cannot be met?	Do not use it	A SIEL may be appropriate

An OGEL is not a general permission to export military vehicles or parts. You must establish that the particular OGEL covers the goods, destination and circumstances.

Special route for surplus military vehicles

There is a specific Open General Export Licence covering certain surplus military vehicles previously owned by the Ministry of Defence.

This can be particularly relevant to exporters of former MOD vehicles.

You must still check the current OGEL and satisfy all of its conditions before relying upon it.

GOV.UK Surplus Military Vehicle OGEL My Surplus Vehicle OGEL Guide

Vehicle parts and military components

Removing a component from a military vehicle does not automatically make that component uncontrolled.

You should consider whether the part was specially designed or modified for military use and whether it appears within the relevant Strategic Export Control List entry.

There is also a specific OGEL covering certain military components intended for use as parts of equipment previously supplied under licence.

GOV.UK Military Components OGEL Strategic Export Control List

When a SIEL may be required

A Standard Individual Export Licence may be appropriate where you are exporting a specific quantity of specified goods to a named consignee or end user and no suitable OGEL covers the export.

For a vehicle or trailer, the application should contain sufficient technical information to identify exactly what is being exported.

Information you should have available

Manufacturer
Model and type
Chassis or serial number where applicable
Year of manufacture
Detailed specification
Military history where relevant
Significant modifications
Quantity
Value in GBP
Destination country
Consignee
End user
End use
Supporting technical documentation
End-user and stockist undertaking where required

Start SIEL Application on LITE Open My SIEL Assistant SIEL EUSU Guidance

When you may still need SPIRE

LITE is not a universal replacement for SPIRE. The current GOV.UK guidance identifies specific cases where SPIRE must still be used.

F680 applications for standalone unclassified ITAR material or information.
Temporary SIEL applications involving multiple end users.
Transhipment SIEL applications.
SIEL applications for Category 0 goods, software and technology.
Certain controlled radioactive sources.
Certain sanctioned destination applications.
Certain specific control-list entries identified by ECJU.

Always check the current GOV.UK guidance before deciding which system to use.

Open SPIRE SPIRE Guidance

F680 security approval

A Form 680 is a Ministry of Defence security approval process. It is separate from the question of whether the goods themselves require an export licence.

From 31 July 2026, F680 applications involving material graded OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE or above must be submitted through LITE rather than SPIRE.

Standalone F680 applications concerning unclassified ITAR material continue to use SPIRE until further notice.

F680 via LITE Unclassified ITAR F680 via SPIRE

Recommended route for a military vehicle export

A

Identify the item Vehicle, trailer, component, flat rack, specialist equipment or other item.

B

Check whether it is controlled Use the UK Strategic Export Control List and the GOV.UK Goods Checker.

C

Check the destination and end use Consider sanctions, embargoes, military end use and other applicable controls.

D

Check the OGELs In particular, check the surplus military vehicle OGEL where the vehicle is qualifying former MOD surplus.

E

If an individual licence is required Use LITE for most SIEL applications.

F

Check the SPIRE exceptions If the application falls within one of the specified SPIRE categories, use SPIRE instead.

Current position on LITE and SPIRE

LITE is now the primary online service for most SIEL applications. SPIRE remains in operation for specific licence types, control categories and other applications.

This distinction matters when exporting military vehicles, trailers and parts because the correct application route depends on the particular goods and circumstances.

The Government is continuing to transition applications from SPIRE to LITE. Check the current GOV.UK guidance before submitting an application.

Do not export before resolving the licence position

Export control legislation is legally enforceable.

Exporting controlled goods without the correct licence is a criminal offence.

Penalties can include licence revocation, seizure of goods, financial penalties and imprisonment.

The licence position should therefore be established before the vehicle, trailer, component or other controlled item leaves the UK.

Official GOV.UK resources

Use the current Government guidance as the authoritative source when making the final export-control decision.

LITE Application Guidance SIEL Guidance Military Export Controls UK Strategic Export Controls Strategic Export Control List Goods Checker Military Surplus Vehicle OGEL Military Components OGEL SPIRE Guidance

Quick summary

If you are exporting an ex military vehicle, military trailer, vehicle part, specialist equipment or another item associated with military equipment:

Identify exactly what you are exporting.
Establish its technical specification and history.
Check whether the item is controlled.
Check the destination and end use.
Check whether an OGEL applies.
If an individual licence is required, use LITE in most cases.
Check whether your particular application is one of the cases that still requires SPIRE.
Do not export until the correct licence position has been established.

Start your export assessment

For a qualifying surplus military vehicle, check the dedicated OGEL first.

If the OGEL does not cover your vehicle, destination or circumstances, determine whether a SIEL is required and use LITE for the application in most cases.

Surplus Military Vehicle OGEL Guide Apply for SIEL on LITE SIEL Application Assistant