enforcement-penalties 13 January 2022

ECJU publishes compound penalty details for 2021

The UK’s Export Control Joint Unit (‘ECJU’) says that ‘between March and November 2021, HM Revenue & Customs (‘HMRC’) issued compound penalties [or ‘settlements’] between £1,000 and £54,000 to 10 UK exporters.’

Listing the settlements, it said that ‘

  • In March 2021, £31,355.28 was paid for offences in relation to the export of dual-use goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In March 2021, £8,000.00 was paid for offences in relation to the export of military rated goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In May 2021, £16,062.50 was paid for offences in relation to the export of military rated goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In July 2021, £54,000.00 was paid for offences in relation to the export of military rated goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In July 2021, £25,000.00 was paid for offences in relation to the export of military rated goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In July 2021, £13,274.56 was paid for offences in relation to the export of military rated goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In August 2021, £1,000.00 was paid for a breach of licence conditions in relation to the export of military rated goods.
  • In September 2021, £7,000.00 was paid for a breach of licence conditions in relation to the export of military rated goods.
  • In November 2021, £9,000.00 was paid for offences in relation to the export of dual-use goods without the appropriate licence.
  • In November 2021, £34,499.88 was paid for offences in relation to the export of dual-use goods without the appropriate licence.

These related to unlicensed exports of dual use goods, military goods and related activity controlled by The Export Control Order 2008.’

The ECJU explained: ‘HMRC has policy responsibility for enforcing export controls on strategic goods and sanctions and investigating breaches of those controls. Where appropriate, HMRC can use their powers to offer a compound penalty in lieu of a file being prepared and sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.’

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-202201-uk-exporters-fined-for-unlicensed-strategic-exports/nte-202201-uk-exporters-fined-for-unlicensed-strategic-exports