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05 Jul Detailed guide: Controlled drugs: licences, fees and returns
Companies and individuals in England, Wales or Scotland need to apply for Home Office licences if they wish to produce, supply, possess, import or export 'controlled drugs'. For the purposes of the UN Convention on the control of Narcotics the Home Office additionally acts as, and discharges the functions of, the National Cannabis Agency.
Controlled drugs are named in the Misuse of Drugs legislation, and grouped in schedules. Anyone intending to produce, supply or possess a controlled drug must apply for the relevant schedule licence.
We publish a list of the most commonly encountered drugs currently controlled under the misuse of drugs legislation showing their respective classifications under both the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Although it is extensive, the list is not exhaustive and, in the event of a substance not being listed below, reference should also be made to the published Act and Regulations at legislation.gov.uk, specifically Parts I, II, III and IV of Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and in Schedules 1 to 5 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
This guide explains how individuals travelling and companies can apply for controlled drug licences. It contains details of the application process, fees and other requirements including licensee statements and annual returns.
The Home Office issued open ended, "no time limit" licences, between January 2006 to November 2010. We have run a licence replacement programme for these types of licence. All companies, and individuals, holding open-ended licences were required to review their controlled drug requirements and, if they continued to need licensing, submit an application for a time limited licence by the end of their phase. Those who have failed to re-apply have had their open-ended licences revoked.
As a result, these open ended, 'no time limit' licences are no longer valid. They should no longer be accepted for the purposes of handling, trading or supplying controlled drugs or precursor chemicals.
However, there are a small number of licence holders who have applications pending to replace these licences and will still hold an open-ended licence which has not yet been revoked. Those licensees will be aware of this, and will be able to either produce a copy of their application for a replacement licence, or an acknowledgement of that application. In such circumstances, they may also direct those enquiring about their licence status to us for confirmation that they have a pending application. We can only disclose this information however, with the explicit agreement of both parties.
Applying for a licence: travellers
Travellers who are carrying controlled drugs out of or into the UK for their own personal use may need a personal licence if:
- they are travelling with controlled drugs listed under schedules 2, 3, 4 part I and 4 part II to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 for 3 calendar months or more
- are carrying more than 3 months' supply of controlled drugs listed under schedules 2, 3, 4 part I and 4 part II to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001
Anyone wishing to import a product or preparation containing a schedule 1 drug on their person should contact the Home Office to apply for the relevant licence before they travel. This applies for any amount and any duration of travel.
Please use this form to apply for a personal import/export licence for controlled drugs.
Making a personal licence application
Please apply for a personal licence at least 10 working days before your travel date.
You will need to provide the following:
- a completed application form for a personal export/import licence
- a letter from your prescribing doctor or drug worker, which must confirm your name, travel itinerary, names of prescribed controlled drugs, dosages and total amounts of each to be carried
Overseas applicants
If you are applying from overseas for an import licence you should allow more time for your application to be processed and for the licence to be posted to you. We advise you not to make fixed travel arrangements before receiving the licence.
Travelling for less than 3 months, or with schedule 5 drugs
If you are travelling for less than 3 months and you are carrying less than 3 months' supply of prescribed controlled drugs listed under schedules 2, 3, 4 part I and 4 part II to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, you will not need a personal import or export licence to enter or leave the United Kingdom.
If you are carrying prescribed drugs listed under schedule 5 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 you will not need a personal import or export licence to enter or leave the United Kingdom.
In both cases we advise you to obtain a letter from your prescribing doctor or drug worker, which should confirm your name, travel itinerary, names of prescribed controlled drugs, dosages and total amounts of each to be carried.
If you are carrying prescribed medication which is not a controlled drug you are also advised to obtain the above letter.
Regulations in other countries
Other countries may have their own import regulations for controlled drugs and prescription medicines. We strongly advise you to check this with the UK-based representatives of the country or countries that you are travelling to or through.
Please find a list of contacts for embassies, consulates and High Commissions.
Importing patient-prescribed medicines to the UK
If you are intending to import medicines prescribed to you from outside the UK, you will require a Home Office import licence to lawfully do this. The only exception to this is if our 'personal import policy' applies (see above – applying for a licence: travellers). Importing patient-prescribed medicines into the UK therefore, includes UK and non- residents, who may only be temporarily staying in the UK (e.g. students, workers or long term visitors), where drugs are not carried 'on the person'- e.g. sent via an international courier.
Controlled drugs – in schedules 2 to 4 (inclusive) of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 – typically contained in medicinal products include amphetamine, lisdexamphetamine and diazepam. Widely used painkillers containing hydrocodone, oxycodone or tramadol, and hormones such as testosterone and somatropin are also controlled.
Anyone wishing to import a product or preparation containing a schedule 1 drug on their person should contact the Home Office to apply for the relevant licence before they travel. This applies for any amount and any duration of travel.
This list is not exhaustive and your patient information leaflet should tell you the drug content of branded or generic medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist may advise if your medicine contains a controlled substance.
As legislation differs between countries, you should also check with the authorities in the exporting country to establish if an export licence is needed or any other requirements are necessary.
To obtain an import licence, you must to register for an NDS account (see below – applying for an NDS account). Once your registration has been approved, you may apply for an import licence.
Each licence costs £24. This must be paid for in advance and can only be used for one shipment. Your prescription and letter from your doctor will need to be uploaded in order for us to verify your application.
Please allow up to a maximum of 20 working days for us to verify and process your account and licence application, your payment and the posting of the licence to your address.
Licences cannot be issued retrospectively. Shipments that have been sent unlawfully may be seized by Border Force officials or held by courier companies. In these cases, they may be either destroyed or returned to sender.
Applying for a licence: companies
Before you apply
Prior to applying, all prospective and existing licence holders should read:
You should also:
- download the controlled drug user activity list
- apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure for each individual named on the application form. If you (or any other individuals named on the application form) already have a DBS disclosure in place, obtained for drug licensing purposes through Capita within the last 3 years, you do not need to apply again.
DBS checks
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 enables DFLU to ask questions about spent convictions for the purpose of assessing applicants suitability to obtain a licence.
DFLU has contracted Security Watchdog (part of CAPITA PLC) to provide a scheme to enable DFLU licence applicants to obtain DBS enhanced disclosures. A DBS disclosure guidebook is available from the Security watchdog website.
To apply for a DBS enhanced disclosure contact Security Watchdog on: +44 (0) 1420 558 752 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm). During the call all aspects of the disclosure application process will be explained to you.
The contents of the DBS enhanced disclosures for all applicants named on the application form will also be taken into account in the decision as to whether or not to issue a licence.
Please also note that, as of 3 August 2010, compliance site visits will only be arranged with applicants once the Home Office has received confirmation that everyone named on the application has undergone a DBS check.
If you have subscribed to the DSB "update service" please include this information on your licence application and contact us for further information as to how this may be used.
Making your application
To apply, you must have successfully registered with us as a customer and have a username and password. If you have not registered with us before as a customer please register using the controlled drugs and precursor chemicals registration. If you have already registered, please do not do so again.
Read this guidance to help you complete your application, domestic licensing: application guidance.
Existing licensees without a password should contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Once we have received your online application, it will be assessed to ensure that the security and record-keeping requirements have been met.
Please allow up to 16 weeks for your application to be processed.
By applying for a licence you are accepting that we may request reimbursement of any travel, accommodation or similar administrative costs incurred by the Home Office, either in full or in part should you:
- cancel, or request an amendment to the time/date of a site visit, more than 48 hours after being informed of your site visit date
- request that your application is withdrawn at or after a compliance visit has been undertaken
- request that your application is withdrawn, after a decision has been reached on your application
Any cancellations/withdrawal of application requests will be considered on a case by case basis following the principles above. Copies of any cost incurred will be provided on request and any applicable fees payable within 10 working days.
Licensing: universities
University research departments generally do not require licences to possess and supply drugs in schedules 2, 3, 4 part I, 4 part II and schedule 5, but they do require licences to produce any of those drugs and to produce, possess and/or supply drugs in schedule 1.
Licensing: healthcare
Hospitals, care homes and providers of healthcare in other settings may only require licences for certain schedules and/or activities. This includes establishments operating as social enterprise organisations, community interest companies, and those with charitable status. Please see guidance on domestic controlled drug licensing in healthcare settings.
Licensing: retail pharmacies undertaking wholesale/supply activities
For certain groups, eg pharmacists, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (2001 Regulations) allow the possession, supply and production of drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 without the need for a Home Office controlled drug domestic licence (a limited licensing 'exemption'). Similar provisions exist for persons conducting a retail pharmacy business.
Historically a small amount of 'wholesale dealing' has been permitted (maximum 5% turnover) without the need to obtain a Home Office controlled drug licence. This arrangement mirrored the exemption for pharmacists afforded by Section 10(7) of the Medicines Act 1968. With effect from 14 August 2012, Section 10(7) of the Medicines Act 1968 has been repealed.
The majority of retail pharmacies will continue to benefit from the Home Office licensing 'exemption'. However, where a pharmacy requires a wholesale dealer's licence from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its activities, it would also require a Home Office Controlled Drug domestic licence.
Enquiries about the need for a wholesale dealer's licence should be addressed to the MHRA in the first instance firstname.lastname@example.com.
Nothing in this summary is intended to supersede the effect of the 2001 Regulations; a person wanting to carry out licensable activities in relation to controlled drugs must ensure they comply with their statutory obligations at all times and take their own legal advice as necessary.
Licensing: forensic analysis and reference standards
A factsheet on forensic analysis and reference standards has been prepared to help those undertaking forensic analysis and/or handing reference standards understand when they need to hold a Home Office controlled drugs domestic licence.
Ahas been prepared to outline the applicable domestic control measures applicable to cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and controlled cannabinoids.
Licensing: access to 'Schedule 1' cannabis-based medicines
Following the Policing Minister Nick Hurd's statement to Parliament on 18 June 2018 about potential access to cannabis-based medicines (falling within Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001), the government has established an expert panel of clinicians to advise ministers on any applications from senior clinicians to prescribe cannabis-based medicines.
More information on the expert panel is available. This includes information about how a senior clinician can apply to the panel to provide advice and consideration of whether there would be a case to prescribe a cannabis-based medicine to a UK resident patient.
Only clinicians can apply to the panel. Individuals seeking access to cannabis-based medicines should approach their GP or specialist first and discuss if they are able to support and make an application to the panel.
An application for a controlled drug licence can only be made if a positive decision is reached by the expert panel. The expert panel's decision does not in itself convey any authority under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or its associated Regulations 2001 to possess, prescribe, supply (for purposes of administration or otherwise), produce or manufacture a Schedule 1 drug. To undertake any of these activities without the required licence is an offence.
Any subsequent applications must be made electronically via the drug licensing application portal once registered as a customer on the drugs licensing system. Information on the fees payable for the issue of controlled drug licences is available.
Prospective licence applicants may, once an application has been submitted to the panel, apply to register as a user of the drug licensing portal.
The senior clinician should:
- indicate they have applied to the panel
- provide any application reference numbers
- give their General Medical Council (GMC) registration details and summary identification details of the patient (full name, date of birth)
Once the drug licensing portal user registration process has been completed and the relevant panel notification received, that clinician can formally submit their drug licensing application. You can read the.
Mountain rescue teams
A factsheet has been prepared to assist mountain rescue teams, affiliated to either the Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) or the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland (MRCoS), to understand their responsibilities related to controlled drug handling in mountain rescue situations. Please see mountain rescue teams: controlled drugs factsheet.
Industrial hemp
With effect from the 2012 growing season, we will issue licences to enable the cultivation of low THC varieties of cannabis (industrial hemp) valid for 3 growing seasons.
The industrial hemp licensing factsheet provides information to new and existing growers on the licensing process for low THC cannabis.
Making your application
You can apply for a domestic licence to produce, supply or possess controlled drugs. This website requires a password. Please read the industrial hemp licensing guidance.
If you have not registered with us before as a customer please click controlled drugs and precursor chemicals registration. Existing licence holders should not register.
Existing licensees without a password should contact email@example.com.
Annual hemp 'grower statement'
All growers are required to complete and submit an annual hemp grower's statement by 1 May 2017.
Import and export licences
A company or organisation that intends to import or export controlled drugs or precursor chemicals may require a domestic licence before they can apply for an import/export licence(s).
It will also need a National Drugs Control System (NDS) account to apply for any import/export licences in order to facilitate international trades. The NDS is used to administer the import and export licensing regime of the United Kingdom.
Individual import and/or export licences are required every time a shipment takes place. Depending on the licence you require, you will need to apply online for a licence as soon as your NDS registration is complete. It is important to note that:
- the import/export team will process applications in strict date order – companies should plan on the basis of a 7 working day processing time
- all import licences are normally valid for 3 months
- export licences will be valid for 2 months or in line with the importing country's permit whichever expires first
- you must also attach a copy of the import permit when requesting for a UK export licence
Applying for an NDS account
NDS is designed to improve the processing times for licence applications and to assist in the capture of data for monitoring trade.
If you are applying for the first time having received your domestic licence, please provide us with the company details as approved on your company's domestic licence.
If you wish to engage in controlled drugs or precursor chemicals and do not have a valid domestic licence, please contact us first before applying as your request may be cancelled.
If you are not trading in controlled drugs but wish to trade in Prescription only Medications (PoMs), please contact the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for guidance.
You can register for NDS online and be sure to save the page in your browser favourites. However to apply for this, you should already be in possession of a current domestic licence.
Once your account is approved, you will need to provide us with your overseas trading partners and details of your medicinal preparations.
You can download the user guide:
Applying for an import/export licence
Registered NDS users can apply for a licence here
Restrictions on exports of controlled drugs
On 20 December 2011 the European Union adopted a new EU-wide control on the export of certain drugs usable in execution by lethal injection.
These controls which came into force on 21 December 2011 were adopted as an amendment to annex III of Council Regulation (EC) 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (the so-called "Torture Regulation").
As a result of these EU imposed controls, exporters need to seek appropriate permission from national export control authorities to export to any destination outside the EU 'short and intermediate acting barbiturate anaesthetic agents including, but not limited to' the following controlled drugs:
- Amobarbital (CAS RN 57-43-2)
- Amobarbital sodium salt (CAS RN 64-43-7)
- Pentobarbital (CAS RN 76-74-4)
- Pentobarbital sodium salt (CAS 57-33-0)
- Secobarbital (CAS RN 76-73-3)
- Secobarbital sodium salt (CAS RN 309-43-3)
Exporters should refer to the guide on torture goods when exporting these drugs.
Importing oxycodone: consultation
Between 25 September and 20 November 2014, the Home Office held a consultation on the government's policy on the import of oxycodone.
Export declarations
Companies holding blanket export licences should complete an export declaration form immediately following each shipment.
Export of controlled drugs to the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) operate their own licensing regime for controlled drugs. For UK exporters, this means that shipments of controlled drugs from the mainland UK to the Channel Islands must be covered by an appropriately issued export licence.
Frequent exporters
Companies making 24 or more shipments in a 12 month period can apply for a time-limited blanket export licence with the following terms:
- licences will be valid for a maximum period of one year
- licenses may be replaced annually and fall for replacement on 1 November 2010, irrespective of their date of issue
- licensees will be responsible for ensuring applications for further licences are submitted no less than four weeks before the expiry of their existing licences
- there is no automatic replacement, it is the responsibility of the licensees to apply
- the decisions to issue licences are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant factors at the time of the decision
- the issue of a previous licence does not guarantee future issues
Use the frequent exporter licence application.
Occasional exporters
Exporters who make less than 24 shipments in a 12 month period will need to make an individual application for an export licence.
Occasional exporters will be required to apply for individual export authorisations for each consignment. Applications must be accompanied by a valid import permit from the competent authority.
Schedule 1 controlled drugs
Each shipment of schedule 1 controlled drugs will require:
- an individual export authorisation application
- a valid import permit from the requisite competent authorities
- a domestic export licence
All exporters will be required to hold the relevant domestic controlled drug licenses for the appropriate schedules.
Monthly returns of exports
Exporters should complete the Channel Islands export monthly return form which must be sent to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Holders of frequent exporter licences must submit a monthly return form detailing the actual substances that have been shipped.
If you have not shipped for one month or more, then a nil return is required for each month that you have not shipped. If no monthly return form is received to cover each month you have held a licence, then your licence may be suspended.
Licence fees
Our fees are charged on a 'full cost recovery' basis. Fees are set at a level that allows the department to fully cover the cost of processing the application. Fees are payable for each licensing decision and there is no discretion to waive the fee. The applicable fee levels are set out in the Misuse of Drugs (licence fees) Regulations 2010.
Controlled drug domestic licences: application fees for new controlled drug domestic licences
|Licensable activity/activities
|Licence application fee
|Possess controlled drugs
|Supply, or offer to supply, controlled drugs
|Produce preparations containing controlled drugs
|Produce controlled drugs
|Cultivate cannabis
|Cultivate cannabis with a THC content not exceeding 0.2%
Renewal/replacement of an existing controlled drug domestic licence of any type
|Visit is required/not required
|Licence renewal fee
|Where no compliance visit is required
|Where a compliance visit is necessary
Controlled drug import/export licences: application fees for new import/export drug licences
|Licence type
|Licence application fee
|Individual export licence
|Individual import licence
Controlled drugs domestic and import/export licences: Replacement for a lost, defaced or damaged licence
|Lost, defaced or damaged
How will fees be paid?
Fees for all domestic controlled drugs licence(s) are invoiced once a decision has been made on an application, but before a licence is issued. Invoices for domestic licences are sent via email to the invoicing contact on the application form.
Fees for all import/export controlled drug licence(s) are invoiced in arrears at month end. Invoices for import/export licences are sent via standard post to the registered address on the customer account for invoicing.
If your organisation/company requires a purchase order (PO) number to be quoted, please ensure that you quote this at the point of the application being submitted or the invoice being raised. PO numbers can also be emailed to: email@example.com.
Fee payment can be made using one of the following methods:
- Bankers Automated Clearing Service (BACS)
- Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS)
- cheque
- credit or debit card by calling Shared Service Connected Limited on 08450 100 125
Please ensure when making a payment that your invoice number is included, either on the cheque or in the reference section of your bank transfer.
Please send any remittance advice to:
Shared Service Connected Limited
HO Box 5003
Annual statistical returns
Wholesalers, manufacturers, producers and suppliers of controlled drugs must supply the Home Office with annual statistical returns on the specified form by 31 January each year. Please see the completion notes below for full details.
All other licence holders must submit a nil return by email, stating why they are not submitting a return, for example that they are not wholesalers.
You can email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Licensee compliance statement
You no longer need to submit Licensee compliance statements unless you are surrendering your licence(s).
The licensee compliance statement has been incorporated into our new application form so you do not need to complete and return one separately. Each time you complete an application form applying for a controlled drugs domestic licence, we will be able to obtain the information that we require.
If you no longer require your licence(s) then a compliance statement should be completed stating that the licences are no longer required. You will find the form under the heading how do I surrender my licence or registration?.
Licensee compliance statement is not to be confused with the annual drug returns. This is a separate exercise. To find out if you need to complete the annual drug returns please email:
Industrial hemp growers will still need to submit their annual hemp grower statement by 1 May each year.
Thefts and losses of controlled drugs
Report any losses using the form:
How do I surrender my licence or registration?
A CD/PC licence return premise(s) closure statement should be used in situations where a company no longer requires their controlled drugs licence, precursor chemical licence or registration at the named premises written on their licence/registration. This includes site closures and companies that wish to no longer handle controlled drugs or precursor chemicals but are continuing to trade.
Further information on drugs licensing
More publications are available in the drugs licensing series.
Personal information
You can read details of how we handle your personal information.
Depending on your query, there are a number of ways to contact the DFLU
Organisation chart for specific sections of DFLU
For more general queries, you can write to the DFLU at this address:
Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit
5th floor SE, Fry building
2 Marsham Street


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Friday November 19 2010
A planned conference by sex workers, which was scheduled to start yesterday in Entebbe, was abruptly halted by the government, saying it was illegal. The conference was organised by Akina Mama Wa Afrika, an international women's rights NGO with offices in Kampala, was to be held in a hotel in Entebbe.
Addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday, Ethics Minister James Nsaba Buturo said the conference, which government learnt of on Wednesday, had attracted prostitutes from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. "Government reiterates its position that prostitution is a punishable offence. While it is true that we have had problems with enforcing the law, the government is determined to defend innocent Ugandans who very often fall victim to selfish as well as misguided individuals who are promoting prostitution," Dr Buturo said, adding he ordered the hotel not to allow the meeting to take place. "Promotion of criminal acts under the claim of defense of one's human rights is not one for this government."
Denied knowledge
One of the officials of the organisation, who refused to reveal her identity, only said: "If the meeting has been stopped, how can it continue?" She added that she was not aware of the topic and the function of the conference. Most sex workers in Uganda, especially in city, are less than 35 years and join the sex trade due to different problems like poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
Dr Buturo also revealed that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which brought controversy between government and donors, will be revisited upon completion of the Chogm debate which is on-going. Last year, participants discussed ways of protecting sex workers from HIV/Aids amidst calls from the public to ban the meeting.

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