GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

dual-use license

An exporter preparing to ship an industrial camera to West Africa discovers the device is listed on the EU dual-use control list.

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Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0821

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Definition & Explanation

An exporter preparing to ship an industrial camera to West Africa discovers the device is listed on the EU dual-use control list. At that point, the dual-use license becomes the critical document: it is the official authorization issued by the competent national export control authority – SECO in Switzerland, BAFA in Germany – confirming that the buyer, destination, and intended end-use have been vetted and cleared. The license is granted on application and specifies binding conditions: permitted consignees, validity period, and sometimes the serial numbers of approved items. Exporting without a valid license is unlawful and exposes the company to substantial fines and potential prosecution. An individual license covers a specific transaction; a general export authorization can be used for recurring shipments to pre-approved recipients in designated countries.

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dual-use license

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