Part V

Control of Exportation

Offences in relation to exportation

Offences in relation to exportation of prohibited or restricted goods.
68
1
If any goods are—
a
exported or shipped as stores; or
b
brought to any place in the United Kingdom for the purpose of being exported or shipped as stores,
and the exportation or shipment is or would be contrary to any prohibition or restriction for the time being in force with respect to those goods under or by virtue of any enactment, the goods shall be liable to forfeiture and the exporter or intending exporter of the goods and any agent of his concerned in the exportation or shipment or intended exportation or shipment shall each be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of three times the value of the goods or level 3 on the standard scale, whichever is the greater.
2
Any person knowingly concerned in the exportation or shipment as stores, or in the attempted exportation or shipment as stores, of any goods with intent to evade any such prohibition or restriction as is mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and may be detained.
3
Subject to subsection (4) or (4A) below, a person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) above shall be liable—
a
on summary conviction, to a penalty of the prescribed sum £20,000 or of three times the value of the goods, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both; or
b
on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, or to both.
4
In the case of an offence under subsection (2) above in connection with a prohibition or restriction on exportation having effect by virtue of section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, subsection (3) above shall have effect subject to the modifications specified in Schedule 1 to this Act.
4A
In the case of—
a
an offence under subsection (2)
... above committed in Great Britain in connection with a prohibition or restriction on the exportation of any weapon or ammunition that is of a kind mentioned in section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af)
, (ag), (ba)
or (c) or (1A)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968,
or
b
any such offence committed in Northern Ireland in connection with a prohibition or restriction on the exportation of any weapon or ammunition that is of a kind mentioned in
Article 6(1)(a), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae) or (c) or (1A)(a)
Article 45(1)(a),
, (aa)
(b), (c), (d), (e)
, (ea), (fa)
or (g) or (2)(a)
of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order
2004
, ...
c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
subsection (3)(b) above shall have effect
as if for the words “imprisonment for a term not exceeding
14
years” there were substituted the words
“ imprisonment for life ”
.
4AA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
If by virtue of any such restriction as is mentioned in subsection (1) above any goods may be exported only when consigned to a particular place or person and any goods so consigned are delivered to some other place or person, the vehicle in which they were exported shall be liable to forfeiture unless it is proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that both the owner of the vehicle and the vehicle operator—
a
took all reasonable steps to secure that the goods were delivered to the particular place to which or person to whom they were consigned; and
b
did not connive at or, except under duress, consent to the delivery of the goods to that other place or person.
6
In any case where a person would, apart from this subsection, be guilty of—
a
an offence under subsection (1) or (2) above; and
b
a corresponding offence under the enactment or instrument imposing the prohibition or restriction in question, being an offence for which a fine or other penalty is expressly provided by that enactment or other instrument,
he shall not be guilty of the offence mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
S. 68 amended (1.7.1991) by Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (c. 5, SIF 39:1), s. 13(2); S.I. 1991/1072, art. 2Sch. Pt. II
S. 68(1)(3)(a)(b) modified by S.I. 1991/1285, reg. 6(a)-(c)
Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G and (N.I.) by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3) arts. 5, 6
S. 68(2) excluded (1.3.1995) by S.I. 1995/271, reg. 11(1)
S. 68(2) excluded (15.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2721, reg. 11(1)
S. 68(2) excluded (28.9.2000) by S.I. 2000/2620, reg. 11(1)
Words substituted by Finance Act 1988 (c. 39, SIF 40:1), s. 12(1)(a)(6)
1971 c. 38.
S. 68(4A) substituted (22.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 293(3), 336(3), (4) (with s. 293(5)); S.I. 2004/81, art. 3(1)(2)(b)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (1.5.2004) by Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2764), arts. 1, 21(6)
Words in s. 68(4A)(b) substituted (N.I.) (1.2.2005) by The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/702), art. 1(3), Sch. 7 para. 4 (with art. 81); S.R. 2005/4, art. 3 (with arts. 4-7)
Word in s. 68(4A)(b) substituted (N.I.) (1.2.2005) by The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/702), art. 1(3), Sch. 7 para. 4 (with art. 81); S.R. 2005/4, art. 3 (with arts. 4-7)
Word in s. 68(4A)(b) inserted (N.I.) (20.9.2005) by The Firearms (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1966), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(b)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (1.10.2006) by The Export of Radioactive Sources (Control) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1846), arts. 1, 12(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (27.4.2007) by The Export Control (North Korea) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1334), arts. 1(1), 6(6)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (26.5.2007) by The Export Control (Iran) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1526), arts. 1(1), 5(6)
S. 68 modified (7.3.2008) by The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Community External Trade) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/296), regs. 1(1), 6(3)
S. 68(1) modified (7.3.2008) by The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Community External Trade) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/296), regs. 1(1), 6(4)(a)
S. 68(3)(a) modified (7.3.2008) by The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Community External Trade) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/296), regs. 1(1), 6(4)(b)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (7.3.2008) by The Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors)(Community External Trade) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/296), regs. 1(1), 6(4)(c)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (23.4.2008) by The Export Control (Burma) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1098), arts. 1(1), 10(6)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (6.4.2009) by The Export Control Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3231), arts. 1, 42
S. 68: power to extend conferred (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 17 para. 9(1); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2(q)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (18.3.2011) by The Export Control (Libya) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/825), arts. 1(1), 6(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (13.6.2011) by The Export Control (Iran) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1297), arts. 1, 13(4) (with art. 4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (5.9.2011) by The Export Control (Belarus) and (Syria Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2010), arts. 1(1), 6(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (5.4.2012) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) and (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/810), arts. 1(1), 14(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (1.6.2012) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1243), arts. 1(1), 18(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (28.8.2013) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1964), arts. 1(1), 8(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (6.9.2013) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2012), arts. 1(1), 17(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (7.1.2014) by The Export Control (North Korea and Ivory Coast Sanctions and Syria Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3182), arts. 1(1), 12(4)
Word in s. 68(4A)(a) inserted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(7)(b), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)
S. 68(4A)(c) and word omitted (14.7.2014) by virtue of Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(7)(c), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)
Words in s. 68(4A)(a) omitted (14.7.2014) by virtue of Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(6)(a), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)
Words in s. 68(4A) substituted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(6)(b), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (26.9.2014) by The Export Control (Russia, Crimea and Sevastopol Sanctions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2357), arts. 1(1), 11(4)
S. 68(3)(a): sum substituted for words (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(11) (with reg. 5(1))
S. 68(3)(b) modified (6.5.2016) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/503), arts. 1(1), 15(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (12.8.2016) by The Export Control (Libya Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/787), arts. 1, 9(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (26.2.2018) by The Export Control (Venezuela Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/108), arts. 1(1), 8(6)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (14.3.2018) by The Export Control (North Korea Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/200), arts. 1, 23(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (13.8.2018) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/871), arts. 1, 9(1)(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (14.8.2018) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/894), arts. 1, 9(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified by S.I. 2011/146, art. 2C(1) (as inserted (1.7.2020) by The Export Control (Somalia) (Amendment) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/572), arts. 1, 5)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/134), regs. 1(2), 57(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 2(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/135), regs. 1(2), 57(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 3(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (revoked) 2019 (S.I. 2019/136), regs. 1(2), 57(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 4(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/411), regs. 1(2), 116(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 7(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/433), regs. 1(2), 55(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 5(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The South Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/438), regs. 1(2), 55(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 6(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/461), regs. 1(2), 62(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 8(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (United Nations Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/466), regs. 1(2), 45(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 9(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/573), regs. 1(2), 48(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 11(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/600), regs. 1(2), 54(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 12(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/604), regs. 1(2), 55(1)(2); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 13(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Lebanon (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/612), regs. 1(2), 30(1)(2); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 9
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/616), regs. 1(2), 55(1)(2); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 10(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/642), regs. 1(2), 69(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 12(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/707), regs. 1(2), 56(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 14(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/753), regs. 1(2), 56(1)(2); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 15(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Afghanistan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/948), regs. 1(2), 44(1)(2); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 16(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Syria (United Nations Sanctions) (Cultural Property) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1233), regs. 1(2), 25(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 19
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Yemen (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1278), regs. 1(2), 55(1)(2); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 20(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1665), regs. 1(3), 72(4)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/792), regs. 1(3), 85(3)(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/855), regs. 1(2), 86(3)(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Words in s. 68(5) substituted (13.9.2018 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(1)(a), Sch. 7 para. 70(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2020/1449, reg. 3 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(a)
Words in s. 68(5) substituted (13.9.2018 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(1)(a), Sch. 7 para. 70(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2020/1449, reg. 3 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(a)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (29.4.2021 at 5.00 pm) by The Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/496), regs. 1(3), 66(1)(2)
Words in s. 68(4A)(a) inserted (14.7.2021) by Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (c. 17), s. 70(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(a) (with Sch. 2 para. 5); S.I. 2021/819, reg. 2(i)
Words in s. 68(4A)(b) inserted (14.7.2021) by Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (c. 17), s. 70(1), Sch. 2 para. 3(b) (with Sch. 2 para. 6); S.I. 2021/819, reg. 2(i)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (28.12.2022) by The Haiti (Sanctions) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1281), regs. 1(2), 46(1)(2)
S. 68(3)(b) modified (14.12.2023) by The Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1314), regs. 1(2), 85(2) (with regs. 98-100)
Word in s. 68(4) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(4)(b) (with s. 32(6))
S. 68(4AA) omitted (22.2.2024) by virtue of Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(4)(c) (with s. 32(6))
S. 68(4B) omitted (22.2.2024) by virtue of Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(4)(d) (with s. 32(6))
Word in s. 68(3)(b) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(1) (with s. 32(6))
Words in s. 68(3) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(4)(a) (with s. 32(6))