The UK’s Export Control Joint Unit (“<span class="news-text_medium">ECJU</span>”) released its quarterly report on 14 August 2025 on export control licensing statistics, covering the period 1 January to 31 March 2025.
The report records 2,867 licensing decisions for standard individual export licences (“<span class="news-text_medium">SIELs</span>”), representing a 27% increase on the previous quarter. Of these, 2,723 licences were issued, 140 refused and four revoked.
Processing performance declined compared to the previous quarter. Only 48% of SIELs were processed to first outcome within 20 working days, down from 58%, while 70% were processed within 60 working days, down from 76%.
The statistics also provide context for the 2024 calendar year as a whole. Across 2024, the ECJU made 11,415 decisions on SIELs, down by 617 (5%) from 2023. Of these, 95% were granted and 5% refused.
The latest data reflects an application rise, underscoring ongoing administrative pressure on the UK export control system. For businesses operating in sensitive sectors, the figures highlight the importance of allowing for potential delays in the licensing process and ensuring applications are complete and accurate to avoid further setbacks.
