Shipping, international, and legal issues...

Aspen International operates within a tightly regulated environment and is subject to UK legislation (in the form of the UK Export Control Act) governing military and "dual-use" exports. This legislation aims to ensure that exports of goods and technology are exported responsibly. It is highly recommended by Aspen International Ltd that potential customers use the links below to ascertain whether they need a license before ordering goods.

More information on export control is available from Export Control Organization or the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/index.html

Military and "dual-use" products which are exported are controlled depending on the type and/or nature of the product and on the destination. This means that if an exporter (company/individual) does business with an overseas company, they are responsible for obtaining an export licence for the goods if necessary.

The 1st step is for the exporter to check whether the goods are listed on the UK Strategic Control List.
http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/legislation/control-lists/page40521.html

(Note that this is a 250 page document) and so exporters might find it helpful to get advice from the ECO's Rating Enquiry Service or to use the Goods Checker website (see below).

If you are not sure whether you need a licence then you can contact the ECO's Rating Enquiry Service to check the rating of the relevant product. The link to the Rating Enquiry pages is
http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/licensing-rating/rating/index.html

Alternatively, you can also use the Export Control Organisation's online help including a website called "Goods Checker" which enables you to search for whether a product is included in the control list ( i.e. has a rating entry)
http://www.ecochecker.co.uk/goodsChecker/

Depending on the destination of the export, exporters should also be aware of relevant Sanctions and Embargoes. There are currently arms embargoes on various countries including Iran, North Korea, Zimbabwe etc. Other sanctions such as financial sanctions might also apply depending on the country. More information is available on the Sanctions pages from BERR:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/index.htm

If the goods are controlled or listed then a licence is needed. More details about licences are available at
http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/licensing-rating/licences/index.html

and all licence applications can be made via the ECO's SPIRE website
https://www.spire.berr.gov.uk

It should also be noted that the ECO provides different types of licence such as Open General Licences which are available for certain specified goods and destinations. These open general licences are publicly accessible on the BERR website (for which you must register to use) and available for exporters to use and register for depending on adhering to all listed terms and conditions. If there is no relevant Open General Licence available or the exporter cannot adhere to the terms and conditions specified in the document then the exporter will have to apply for what is known as a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) before exporting the goods concerned.

The ECO's Helpline number for enquiries: 0207 25 2423 or email address: eco.help@berr.gsi.gov.uk