GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 19, 2026
Export licence
An export licence is the official authorisation required to export a controlled good, software or technology from a customs territory.
Quick Answer
Last updated:
Source: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/help-exporters-and-importers/exporting-dual-use-items_en
Category
Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
Reading time
1 min
Words
140
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
An export licence is the official authorisation required to export a controlled good, software or technology from a customs territory. It is granted for a specific item, a specific consignee and a specific country of destination; if any of these change, the licence no longer covers the shipment. In the EU, licensing applies in particular to dual-use items listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2021/821, as well as to military goods and sanctioned products. National authorities decide on applications: the BAFA in Germany, SECO in Switzerland. The licence must be in place before export and is quoted in the export declaration; without it the customs office of export withholds release. For freight forwarders this means that for controlled goods the licence number belongs in the shipping file, and the consignee named on the licence must match the actual consignee.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020
Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.
Connect
Find a matching partner on this lane
Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.