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You must follow the export rules for hazardous chemicals, as well as the rules for any controlled chemicals.

Export rules cover single substances as well as mixtures (also called preparations). For example, paints, inks, glues or oils. There are special rules for products that contain highly restricted chemicals.

Licences for controlled chemicals

You may need a licence to export:

• chemicals with military or potential military uses
• controlled drugs (like opioids, certain stimulants or psychotropic substances), or chemicals that can be used to make them (drug precursors)
• ozone-depleting substances, for example HCFCs
• radioactive substances

If you supply chemicals that could be used to make explosives, check the legal requirements and concentration limits of the importing country.

You must report any suspicious transactions to the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.

Drug precursor chemicals

You may need a licence to possess or export drug precursor chemicals.

Hazardous chemicals - Prior Informed Consent (PIC) requirements

The export of certain hazardous chemicals is governed by the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation in Great Britain (GB). These chemicals are on the GB PIC list (on HSE website).

Different rules apply to exports from Northern Ireland.

To export chemicals listed under PIC outside Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), you must:

• pack and label them to GB standards, unless the importing country has its own requirements
• provide a safety data sheet, if one is required for the product, to each importer (if possible, in the official languages, or in one or more of the principal languages of the country of destination or area of intended use)
• apply for a reference identification number (RIN) and if necessary have been given consent to import from the government of the destination country (this will need to be included on your customs declaration form) find out more in the next section

If the product has an expiry date, you should not export it with less than 6 months remaining before the expiry date.

The requirements set out under the first 2 bullets above also apply to the export of any chemical product that is classified as hazardous.

Get a reference identification number (RIN)

You need to include a RIN in your customs declaration if either:

• the chemical is listed in parts 1, 2 or 3 of the GB PIC list (on HSE website)
• you export 10kg or less of any listed chemical for research or analysis to any country in any year

To apply for a RIN, download a GB PIC export notification form from the HSE website and email the completed form to ukdna@hse.gov.uk.

Making an online notification

To get a RIN you need to make an export notification at least 35 days before the date you first intend to export GB PIC listed chemicals in any year to any country, including the EU.

Chemicals in parts 2 and 3 of the GB PIC list (on HSE website) may take longer or be refused because may take longer or be refused because consent to import must be obtained from the country you are exporting to.

To notify an export, complete a GB PIC export notification form (on HSE website).

You can use the same RIN for all exports of the same chemical to the same country in the same calendar year. You do not need to make another notification.

When transporting hazardous chemicals, you will need to follow the rules for moving dangerous goods.

Annual reporting requirements

Every year you must tell HSE by 31 March about the GB PIC listed chemicals you have exported or imported during the previous year by emailing ukdna@hse.gov.uk.

Products that contain highly restricted chemicals

You need a RIN number if you export a product that both:

• includes a chemical in part 2 or 3 of the GB PIC list (on HSE website)
• is classed as an article (definition on HSE website)

This includes products like batteries or telephones.

For articles, you do not need to follow the other additional export rules for chemical substances and mixtures.

If you need help, email HSE at ukdna@hse.gov.uk.