UK trade sanctions and arms embargoes: current controls

UK sanctions and trade controls guidance updated

The UK Department for Business and Trade has published consolidated guidance on trade sanctions, arms embargoes, and other trade restrictions effective as of 23 April 2026. This resource consolidates the regulatory landscape shippers, freight forwarders, and exporters must navigate.

"Information on trade sanctions, arms embargoes and trade restrictions, including trade controls, transit controls and restrictions on terrorist organisations." — UK DBT

What shippers need to know

The guidance covers three main control regimes:

Trade sanctions restrict trade with designated countries and entities. Shippers must verify that shipments do not involve sanctioned jurisdictions, designated persons, or entities on UK sanctions lists before arranging transport or payment.

Arms embargoes prohibit the export of military equipment and related goods (typically HS chapters 93–94 and controlled items under export control orders). Exporters require licenses from the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) to ship these goods to most destinations.

Trade restrictions include transit controls (goods passing through the UK must comply with sanctions and controls even if not imported or exported) and designations of terrorist organisations, whose assets are frozen and whose members may not receive funds or economic resources.

Compliance obligations

UK-based traders, including merchants selling via e-commerce, freight forwarders arranging shipments, and SMB exporters must:

• Check the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) consolidated list of designated persons and entities before trading
• Obtain export licenses where required (ECJU issues licenses for military goods and controlled dual-use items)
• Ensure third parties in the supply chain (carriers, customs brokers, logistics providers) understand their obligations
• Maintain records of compliance checks and licenses for audit purposes
• Report suspected violations to OFSI or law enforcement

The guidance applies to all persons in the UK and UK persons abroad. Non-UK persons may also be liable if they facilitate sanctions breaches by UK entities.

What this means for shippers

If your business involves exports, re-exports, or transit of goods through the UK, review the sanctions guidance to understand which destinations, entities, and product categories are restricted. For military goods, dual-use items, and controlled technologies, engage the ECJU early—license applications can take weeks. For shipments to or through sanctioned jurisdictions, consult your compliance team before committing to freight costs.