UK's Export License Process May Be Delayed Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, UK Says

United Kingdom exporters will likely experience delayed response times when seeking export license information from the Department for International Trade, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DIT said in an April 9 notice. Response times for requests for information will be doubled from 20 to 40 business days, the agency said. The virus has affected the agency’s ability to “manage export license applications and supporting documentation,” DIT said.

To mitigate some issues exporters are facing while working remotely, the DIT will not require exporters to obtain original copies of “end-user and stockist undertakings,” the agency said. DIT also will no longer be printing hard copies of licenses for exports of dual-use goods located in another EU member state and will accept several forms of electronic signatures for export documents.