Our Island Plan

Export and Trade Controls

This page is intended as a general guide and has no force in law. If you think you may be affected by the provisions, you are advised to seek independent legal advice.

This general guide is intended to assist exporters and their agents in understanding the requirements of the law concerned with the control of exports from the Isle of Man and United Kingdom, and also provide a guide to what goods and services are subject to export and trade controls.

It is the policy of the Isle of Man Government to maintain the laws relating to the import and export of goods aligned to those in the United Kingdom.  Guidance produced by the UK Government in relation to export and trade controls are also applicable in the Isle of Man.

Export of Cultural Goods

Guidance relating cultural goods exports can be found on the below page.

Firearms and other weapons

Guidance relating to the import and export of firearms and other weapons can be found on the below page.

Strategic Export and Trade Controls

Guidance relating to strategic export and trade controls can be found on the below page.

What is subject to export controls

In theory, virtually everything exported from the Isle of Man or the United Kingdom to another country requires an export licence.  However, most goods exported from the Isle of Man or the United Kingdom to another country are covered by open general licences, meaning that exporters and their agents need not apply for individual licences to export their goods and services.

Subject to a few exceptions, goods moving between the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom do not require an export or trade licence.

There are special rules for certain goods, software and technology, and you may need to obtain a licence or certificate if you export any of the following from the Isle of Man or United Kingdom.

Strategic Export and Trade Controls

Strategic export controls are imposed on:

  • Diamonds
  • Radioactive substances
  • Military goods, services and technology
  • Items that can have both civil and military uses
  • Goods that could be used for torture or capital punishment
  • Firearms, ammunition and related equipment

Strategic trade controls are imposed on certain activities, including trafficking and brokering, that involve:

  • The supply or delivery of certain controlled goods from one overseas country to another
  • The agreement to supply or deliver controlled goods from one overseas country to another
  • Any activity that will promote the supply or delivery of certain controlled goods from one overseas country to another

Other export controls

You will need to liaise with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture if you want to export:

You should speak to the Department of Health and Social Care if you want to export:

  • Drugs and medicines
  • Medical devices

You may to liaise with both Manx National Heritage and the Treasury if you wish to export:

  • Art works, antiques and culturally significant goods

Notification of Error in Evidence of Origin

Isle of Man exporters must notify relevant persons if they become aware of errors in evidence they have provided to show that exported goods originate in the Isle of Man.

For example, where an Isle of Man exporter has provided an overseas importer with a document showing that exported goods originate in the Isle of Man, and that Isle of Man exporter subsequently becomes aware of, or has reason to believe that there is, a material error in this document. 

An evidence provider who fails to comply with an obligation to notify under regulation 4(2) of the Customs (Notification of Error in Evidence of Origin) Regulations 2024 is liable to a maximum penalty of £1,000.

The attached document has force of law by virtue of Regulation 4 of the Customs (Notification of Error in Evidence of Origin) Regulations 2024. It sets out details of the notification as required when an error is identified in evidence that has been provided to show that goods originate in the Isle of Man.

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