Fighter aircraft, or weaponry tend to be highlights at international shows but a myriad of smaller items are on display.
Figures on military exports can be unreliable, due to contracts which took years to fulfil coming to fruition. Even so, UK defence exports have performed exceptionally well in the last couple of years.
This does not include Ukraine, where supplies are sent as part of a military assistance package. The core markets yielding improvement are the Middle East and Europe, bucking the overall trend of exports to the EU.
Taking part in business exhibitions, or showing sample equipment are common within the defence sector, neither is defence just about weapons.
Equipment is needed for power supplies, water purification, telecommunications, non battle transport, disaster recovery missions, eating a meal. The list is as endless as would be the case for any large, mobile organisation.
An Approved Approach
Much of the equipment mentioned above would be the type to travel under an open general export licence. For temporary export to shows, or for other purposes, the recommended option for the UK is an ATA carnet.
Carnets don’t replace applications for temporary export of unclassified defense articles where needed, or any required license. Neither do they set aside compliance requirements from governments elsewhere.
Wider export cover can still needed and as mentioned, items may not be for specific military use. A fair percentage of goods can be shipped, or taken simply by using an ATA carnet, avoiding hassle, or delay.
The normal practical benefits apply, no need to pay duties, or taxes, or post a cash bond and customs clearance is straightforward.
Additional Considerations
You must have an export licence if you are exporting items that are on UK strategic export control lists, including dual use items. There can be times when clarification is needed but the lists are mainly as you would expect.
Firearms and ammunition, riot control, or other security equipment, explosives and detonators, chemical, or biological agents, certain communications equipment.
Rules can vary by country, including those which are embargoed destinations and at times, places you might not expect. There may be a need to check but as before, much kit to be used by military personnel is not as such military.
Effective For Business
Nobody would expect that sensitive technology, or items clearly for military, or security use would whip through customs on nothing but an ATA carnet.
Defence is an area where responsibility and compliance are vital but suppliers still have a business to run. Making use of a system which saves cost, or time and gives them a business edge is rational.
Experienced military suppliers tend to know how their goods are classified and act accordingly, more outlying suppliers will do their homework. Their own team are best placed to make decisions on such a specialist niche.
With other needs met, or not needing to be met, we are able to offer the level of advice on ATA carnet use you would expect from a leading provider. Please get in touch with our support team if we can help in any way.