If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, businesses will need to apply for an import licence to import relevant nuclear materials from the EU. This will be the same as the current process for importing from non-EU countries.

When you need a licence

You will need a licence to import the following nuclear materials:

• uranium ore concentrates
• plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotopes 233 or 235, natural uranium and mixtures, compounds and alloys containing any of the above, including spent or irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements (cartridges)

How to apply for a licence

You can apply for a licence from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

You should allow at least a month for your application to be processed.

If a Brexit deal is reached

In the event that a Brexit deal is agreed with the EU before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), the current process will not change. If you have already applied for, or been granted, an import licence for importing nuclear materials from the EU, this will no longer be required.

You should still apply for an import licence to ensure that you can import after 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) in the event that we leave without a deal.

Further information

Read the notice to importers on importing relevant nuclear materials (ODT, 108KB) and check the guidance on import licensing from the ONR.