URL: https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk Last reviewed: 2026-06-12 Summary: How ATA Carnets work in the UK after Brexit: LCCI and UKNATACO, the 21 issuing chambers, HMRC and Border Force, security deposits, and where to get a carnet stamped, covering Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and the Dover/Eurotunnel route. # The ATA Carnet in the United Kingdom Before Brexit, a UK robotics company could drive a demo robot to a trade fair in Munich with no customs paperwork at all. Since 1 January 2021 Great Britain sits outside the EU customs union, so every temporary move of equipment between GB and the EU is an export and an import. The ATA Carnet is the standard tool for doing that without paying duties and VAT at each border, and the GB–EU trip is by far the most common UK carnet use case. The UK system has a clear division of labour: - **Chambers of commerce issue carnets.** The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the national guaranteeing organisation and runs [UKNATACO](https://uknataco.co.uk/) (the UK National ATA Carnet Organisation) as its operational unit. Twenty-one chambers around the country issue carnets under that umbrella. - **HMRC and Border Force handle the customs side.** Officers stamp carnets at ports, airports and inland border facilities; HMRC's National Carnet Unit deals with problems and regularisation. They never issue carnets. > **ℹ️ One stamp covers the whole EU** > > The EU is a single customs territory for carnet purposes. When you apply, you select "European Union" as the destination, and the import stamp at your first point of entry (Calais, Schiphol, Frankfurt, anywhere) covers all 27 member states. No re-validation between them. ## The guide, step by step - [Get a carnet](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/get-a-carnet): Your issuing chamber, the goods list, fees, and the UK security system - [Use it at the border](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/using-your-carnet): Export validation, the EU stamp, transit vouchers, digital carnets - [Fix a problem](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/problems): The National Carnet Unit, Certificates of Location, lost carnets, claims Quick answers instead? The [UK ATA Carnet FAQ](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/faq) covers costs, security options, serial numbers and more in short Q&As. ## Where to get it stamped Only Border Force / HMRC offices can stamp a carnet, and not every port has one on site. The two guides below cover the routes robotics companies actually use: - [UK airports](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/airports): Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Eurostar, Belfast - stamp before check-in, red channel on arrival - [Dover & Eurotunnel](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/dover-eurotunnel): Driving to the EU - the Sevington inland border facility, GMRs for freight, Holyhead for Ireland ## Northern Ireland is different Everything on these pages applies to **Great Britain**. Moving goods temporarily between Northern Ireland and Great Britain follows different rules under the Windsor Framework; gov.uk says so explicitly. If your trip starts or ends in Northern Ireland, talk to your chamber before assuming a carnet is the right tool. ## Key UK facts - **Issued by**: 21 chambers of commerce, listed on [uknataco.co.uk](https://uknataco.co.uk/issuing-local-chamber-of-commerce/); LCCI guarantees all UK carnets - **Typical cost**: LCCI: £270 (member) / £444 (non-member) incl. VAT, plus security; other chambers set their own fees - **Security**: Equal to the highest duty rate in your destination countries plus a possible 10% penalty (EU: 40% of goods value); as refundable cash/draft, bank guarantee, or the non-refundable Carnet Security Scheme - **Validity**: 12 months from issue, multiple trips, never extendable - **Digital (eATA)**: Carnets for the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland are digital from 1 June 2026 (ATA Carnet App + QR code); paper continues for other destinations - **Customs side**: Border Force stamps at the border; HMRC National Carnet Unit (atacarnetunit@hmrc.gov.uk) handles regularisation - **UKNATACO contact**: queries@uknataco.co.uk · +44 (0)20 7203 1714 · 33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP New to carnets entirely? Start with [What is an ATA Carnet?](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/what-is-an-ata-carnet) and the [robotics guide](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/ata-carnet-for-robotics), then come back here for the UK specifics. ## Sources Every factual claim on this page comes from the sources below, checked on the "last reviewed" date in the footer. Official resources are linked in whatever language they are published in. - [gov.uk - Apply for an ATA Carnet](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-ata-carnet) (English, updated 1 June 2026) - [gov.uk - Taking goods out of the UK temporarily](https://www.gov.uk/taking-goods-out-uk-temporarily) (English) - [UKNATACO - issuing chambers list](https://uknataco.co.uk/issuing-local-chamber-of-commerce/) (English) - [UKNATACO - administration of the ATA Carnet scheme in the UK](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/administration-of-ata-carnet-scheme-in-the-uk-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/) (English) - [LCCI - ATA Carnet pages and fees](https://www.londonchamber.co.uk/international-trade/trade-documentation/ata-carnet/) (English) - [UKNATACO - Security Rate Chart](https://uknataco.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Security-Rate-Chart-June-2025.pdf) (English, PDF, June 2025) - [LCCI - digital ATA Carnets from 1 June 2026](https://www.londonchamber.co.uk/news-insights/news/lcci-updates/digital-ata-carnets-are-coming-%E2%80%93-get-ready-for-1-june-2026/) (English) --- This is an independent guide for robotics companies, not an official government resource. Customs rules, fees, locations and opening hours change, so always confirm details with the linked official sources (customs administrations and chambers of commerce) before you travel.