UK Armoured Vehicle Exports

Goods on the UK Military List need an export licence for any destination outside the UK. Two entries in category ML6, ground vehicles, cover armoured vehicles.

ML6.b: Civilian Armoured 4x4s

ML6.b.1 covers vehicles that meet all four of these descriptions:

• Manufactured or fitted with materials or components that give ballistic protection equal to or better than level III of the US standard NIJ 0108.01 (September 1985), or an equivalent standard
• A transmission that drives the front and rear wheels at the same time, including vehicles with extra load-bearing wheels, driven or not
• A gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 4,500 kg. GVWR is also known as maximum authorised mass, gross vehicle weight or permissible maximum weight
• Designed or modified for off-road use

ML6.b.2 covers components specially designed for those vehicles that give the same level of protection, so armoured parts and kits can need a licence on their own. Armoured plate made to a military standard or specification, or suitable for military use, is covered separately, under ML13.a.

Level III is a rifle-round level: protection against handguns only (level IIIA and below) falls short of it. “Equivalent standards” means comparable national or international standards recognised by one or more Wassenaar Arrangement participating states.

ML6.a: Military Vehicles

Ground vehicles and components specially designed or modified for military use, including trailers, are covered by ML6.a whatever their level of armour. A vehicle counts as modified for military use when the change involves one or more specially designed military components.

There is an open general export licence for surplus vehicles previously owned by the Ministry of Defence, but it excludes armed and armoured vehicles.

What ML6.b Does Not Cover

• Vehicles designed or modified for transporting money or valuables
• Armoured vehicles that do not meet all four descriptions above, for example one with a GVWR of 4,500 kg or less, or without drive to both front and rear wheels

A vehicle outside ML6 is not automatically free to export. Sanctions on the destination, the military end-use control described below, or another entry on the control lists can still apply, so check the specific vehicle before you buy.

Licences are issued by ECJU, which is based in the Department for Business and Trade. There are three main types.

Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL)

A SIEL is specific to one exporter and allows shipments of a stated quantity of specified items to a named consignee or end-user. For a permanent export it is generally valid for two years, or until the stated quantity has been exported, whichever comes first.

The application needs the technical specification of the vehicle and an end-user and stockist undertaking (EUSU) completed and signed by the end-user or stockist. Most SIELs are applied for through the gov.uk “Apply to export controlled goods” service, known as LITE; some types still go through the older SPIRE system.

Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL)

An OIEL lets a named exporter make multiple shipments of specific controlled goods to named destinations. It is for exporters with a track record of licence applications or a demonstrable business need, and is usually valid for three to five years. Media OIELs cover non-military 4WD civilian vehicles with ballistic protection, mainly for protecting aid agency workers and journalists in areas of conflict.

Open General Export Licences (OGELs)

OGELs are published licences with set terms and conditions. An exporter registers to use one and must meet every condition. The two broad military OGELs, “Military goods, software and technology” and its government or NATO end-use version, both exclude complete ML6 vehicles, and the military surplus vehicles OGEL excludes armoured vehicles. A complete controlled armoured vehicle sold to an overseas buyer will therefore normally need an individual licence.

ECJU assesses every application case by case against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, so a licence is not automatic.

Some destinations are under UK arms embargoes or trade sanctions, which include prohibitions on exporting military items. The list on gov.uk includes Russia, Belarus, Iran, Syria, North Korea and Venezuela, and arms embargoes on China and Hong Kong. Check the current list before agreeing a sale.

The Military End-Use Control

A vehicle that is not on the control lists can still need a licence under the military end-use control. One part of it applies where ECJU informs the exporter that the vehicle is or may be intended for use by the military, para-military or police forces, security services or intelligence organisations of a destination under an arms embargo. If ECJU tells an exporter that a licence is needed, it is a criminal offence to attempt the export without one.

• Ask the armourer or seller for the armour certificate and the vehicle’s GVWR. With the drive layout and off-road design, these decide whether ML6.b applies.
• Agree who will be the exporter and apply for the licence. A SIEL is specific to that exporter, and export licences are not transferable to another exporter.
• Have the end-user ready to complete and sign the end-user and stockist undertaking (EUSU).
• Allow time. ECJU’s published target is a decision on 70% of SIEL applications within 20 working days, and 99% within 60 working days.
• Check the destination country’s own rules. Some countries require an end-user certificate or similar approval before an armoured vehicle can be imported.

ECJU’s helpline is exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk or 020 7215 4594. The gov.uk guides “UK strategic export controls” and “Standard individual export licences (SIELs)” set out the rules in full.

Based on the UK Strategic Export Control Lists dated 16 December 2025 and ECJU guidance on gov.uk as at October 2026. The lists, licences and embargoes change, so check the current versions before export.