Guidance

How to apply for or renew a gangmaster's licence

How to apply for or renew a licence to provide or use workers in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering, or processing and packaging of food or drink. 

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Details

A gangmaster is a person or business that supplies workers to agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering, or processing and packaging of food or drink sectors in the UK.

You might also a gangmaster if you use workers in specific ways in shellfishing, or buy a crop and use your own or other workers to harvest, process or pack it.

This guidance explains more about who needs a gangmaster’s licence, and how to get or renew one.

Updates to this page

Published 7 April 2026
Last updated 16 June 2026 Show all updates
  1. Added the requirement for businesses based outside the UK to provide details of any licences or registrations held in their home country.

  2. First published.

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