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.

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Last updated: 19 September 2026

Source: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/help-exporters-and-importers/exporting-dual-use-items_en

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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.

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Export licence

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Related Terms

AES (EU Automated Export System)

e-dec export shut-down

Customs Export Procedures

Re-export

Export Accompanying Document

export control number

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