Guidance

GCAP OGL guidance note

Published 14 August 2024

Introduction

Action to take to use the GCAP OGL

If you are an exporter with a registered address in the United Kingdom and are already registered on SPIRE which is the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) digital licensing platform, you must register to use the OGL in the usual way. This includes entering your EORI number if you have one.

If you enter an incorrect or dummy EORI and try to export physical items then this will lead to delays. If you are an overseas entity based in the UK and you don’t have an EORI number, then to be able to register for the GCAP OGL to use it for intangible exports only you can enter 0000000000. Further details are contained in Step 2.10 of this guidance. Note that the GCAP licence does not permit an overseas entity based in the UK but without a registered UK address to export physical goods.

If you are an exporter working on GCAP for either the Japanese or Italian Governments or their respective industry partners and do not have a registered address in the United Kingdom, you will need to apply for a SPIRE account to register to use the OGL. If your company is not registered in the United Kingdom, ignore the Company Registration advice on the SPIRE Homepage and follow the instructions at Step 1 instead.

Step 1 - how to apply for a SPIRE Account

1. Go to SPIRE.
2. Click on the ‘Create a new account’ link under New Users.
3. Complete the form. You must complete all boxes marked *
4. Click on the ‘Register’ button.

DBT will send you an email to activate your account.

If you experience difficulties registering then email [email protected] or call 020 7215 4594

Step 2 - how to register to use the GCAP OGL

You must complete all boxes marked * on SPIRE

1. When your account has been activated go to SPIRE.
2. Log in to your account with your username and password.
3. Click on ‘New Application’ In the menu on the left hand side.
4. On first time use you may get an advice service screen. Click on the check box ‘Do not show pop-up again’ and click on the box “I wish to continue to apply for a licence”.
5. Select OGL/GEA/EU GEA
6. Click on ‘Start application’.
7. Select the Global Combat Air Programme / GCAP Open General Licence from the drop down menu.
8. Click ‘Next’.
9. Select ‘Organisation’ and type in your organisation’s name.
10. In the EORI number box enter 000000000000 (this must be 12 zeros).
11. If you have a Parent Company type the name and address of the Parent Company and the nature of its business in the box marked ‘Other Information’. You may also use this box to tell us anything which you think might support your application.
12. Under ‘Parent Companies’ select ‘No’ and click on the Next button.
13. In the ‘Organisation Details Section’ click on the link ‘Select Address’ which is next to the ‘Registered Address’ box.
14. In the Country box on the right-hand side select the Country where your Organisation is based and then enter the Head Office registered address of your organisation.
15. Click on the ‘Accept’ button.
16. Click ‘OK’ in the pop-up box.
17. Type the nature of your company business in the ‘Nature of Business’ box, for example ‘Defence’, or ‘Manufacturer’ etc.
18. In the Site Details section, enter the name of the site of your organisations Head Office registered address.
19. Click on the link ‘Copy Registered Address’.
20. Click on the ‘Next’ button at the bottom of the screen.
21. Click on the link ‘Set as my details’.
22. Click on the link ‘Select Address’ and complete the address as per point 14 above.
23. Type the nature of your company business as per point 17 above.
24. Click on the ‘Next’ button at the bottom of the screen.
25. On the next page select the appropriate option in the drop-down box marked ‘Relationship’.
26. Read the Declaration carefully and if you agree to it, type ‘I AGREE’ in the box provided.
27. Click on the button ‘Submit Application’ at the bottom of the screen.

DBT will notify you when your application has been registered to use the GCAP OGL. You will be given a unique reference number which you must keep safe. You may now apply for an eligibility letter to use the GCAP OGL.

Step 3 - applying for an eligibility letter or renewal request

The process to request an eligibility letter is straight forward and applies to both first time and renewal requests. For a first time request we advise you to apply for an eligibility letter immediately after the contract is awarded. For renewal requests you should apply at least one month in advance of your existing eligibility letter expiry date.

Requests should be sent by email to [email protected]. Do not send requests to any other address.

The request must contain the following information:

• the title of the OGL you would like to use (Global Combat Air Programme)
• your full contact details including your registered business address, email address and a contact telephone number.
• a copy of the letter that you will have received from DBT confirming your registration to use the OGL.
• proof that you and the recipient are contracted to work on GCAP. That might be a contract or a Purchase Order number, or a letter or email from a LSI, LSSI or a GCAP Operator (GCAP Operators are the UK, Italy and Japan Ministries of Defence) supporting your request
• a brief reason why you need to use the GCAP OGL

ECJU MOD will be unable to process your request for a letter without the information above.

Step 4 - next steps

ECJU MOD will check that the exporter is a participant in the GCAP before issuing an eligibility letter. You must have a valid eligibility letter from ECJU MOD and meet all other terms and conditions of the OGL before you use it.

GCAP OGL eligibility letters can be used for 5 years until they expire and multiple exports under the GCAP OGL may be made during that period of time.

If you no longer need to use the OGL, you should surrender it on SPIRE.

For further information and assistance about OGEL and OGL eligibility letters contact EJCU[email protected]