UK issues export fines of over GBP700,000

The UK government has received GBP700,368.01 (USD935,723) in fines between March and September for export control violations, the Department of International Trade revealed in a notice to exporters on 24 November.

Fines of between GBP1,000 and GBP211,250 were issued to exporters across 19 settlement actions for unlicensed exports of dual use goods, military goods and related activity controlled by the Export Control Order 2008.

A spokesperson for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which handles enforcement actions related to violations of the export regulations, declined to give further details of the fines.

The UK has received over GBP700,000 in fines from export control violations between March and September 2020. (Getty Images)

According to the spokesperson, “there are several other options we can, and regularly do, exercise besides criminal prosecutions. These can include raising awareness through outreach, warning letters, compound settlements [fines], and seizure actions.”

“A compound settlement is the means whereby we can offer to settle out of court, through payment of a sum of money, any alleged offence committed under the Customs and Excise Acts. This saves time and money – both for the company and HMRC – by avoiding the need for legal proceedings. We will only offer a compound settlement where we believe we have sufficient evidence to prosecute.“