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The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has announced that a new service for export licensing is expected to go into public beta stage on 17 September, taking another step towards replacing the old SPIRE system.
The Licensing for International Trade (LITE) system has been in a private beta phase for months, with a limited number of invited traders testing the service and providing feedback.
System ‘ready’
The ECJU described this as a “big achievement” for the LITE programme:
“This means that the service is now ready to allow any exporter to apply for a SIEL on LITE.”
The introduction of the LITE system was first announced on 2 August 2021, with the Department for Business and Trade promising an “intuitive user interface”, faster processing of export licence applications and “better signposting to helpful advice”.
Private versus public beta
According to a government manual on testing, “once you’ve improved the service and are confident you can run it at scale, you take an assessment to move into ‘public beta’”
“This involves opening up your service to anyone who needs it.”
More detailed information, including a toolkit, support videos and a Q&A, will be sent out in early September.
Public webinars will run from 12-24 September to help answer questions.
‘Important step’
The ECJU says that this is an "important step" towards all applications for a standard individual export licence (SIEL) being made using the LITE system, as the ECJU moves away from the old SPIRE system that has been in place for a number of years.
A SIEL allows a trader to export certain controlled goods abroad.
Some exporters have already had their access to the SPIRE system revoked, with the ECJU saying that it will be in touch with those who have not yet been “onboarded” onto the LITE system.
“Some exceptions may apply to certain exporters due to an incompatible functionality with LITE, but we will communicate with these exporters individually to update you when the necessary functionality will be ready on LITE.”
All historical or current SPIRE applications will reportedly still be available for access.