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ATA Carnet at UK airports

Flying out of the UK with a robot in your luggage? The rule from UKNATACO is simple: get the carnet processed by customs before checking the goods in. On departure that means finding the customs desk (often co-located with the VAT-reclaim desk) before you go anywhere near the check-in counter. On arrival, use the red channel ("goods to declare") and present carnet and goods to the officer.

Heathrow

Heathrow's customs office covers both cargo and passenger baggage and is listed as open around the clock. A secondary source adds the sensible caveat: someone will normally be available when the airport is open, but leave sufficient time.

Border Force, Heathrow (cargo GB000084 / baggage GB000120)

Address
Custom House, Nettleton RoadHounslow TW6 2LA
Opening hours
Mon–Sun00:00–23:59 (24/7)

Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.

Phone
+44 20 3014 5600
Email
fpt@homeoffice.gov.uk
Official links

Alternative numbers from the same list: +44 (0)20 3014 5601 and +44 (0)20 3014 5815.

Gatwick

Border Force South, Gatwick (cargo distribution)

Address
Rm 14-18 Timberham HouseGatwick Airport RH6 0EZ
Opening hours
Mon–Sun7am–10pm

Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.

Phone
+44 1293 501032
Email
borderforcesouthcargogatwick@homeoffice.gov.uk
Official links

A carnet agent describes the passenger procedure as: call 01293 508313 and go to the VAT desk at the North or South Terminal. That's secondary information, so treat it as a starting point and call ahead.

Manchester

Terminal Red Point, Manchester Airport (passengers; air, post, rail and vehicle movements)

Address
Manchester Airport
Opening hours
Mon–Sun24 hours

Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.

Phone
+44 161 261 5904
Official links

Manchester Freight Terminal

Address
Manchester Airport Cargo Centre, Building 302M90 5XX
Opening hours
Mon–Fri10:00–15:00
Sat–Sun11:00–14:00

Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel. The phone line is staffed 24/7.

Phone
+44 161 261 5944
Official links

Stansted

Border Force, Stansted

Address
Terminal BuildingStansted CM24 1QS
Opening hours
Mon–Sun7:00am–2:00am

Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.

Phone
+44 1279 665825
Official links

Eurostar at St Pancras

Taking the train to Paris or Brussels with carnet goods needs planning, because UKNATACO warns that no customs officers are available for the 6am departure. The advice: get the carnet stamped the day before, and contact Border Force in advance on 020 7841 6410.

Belfast (Northern Ireland)

Border Force, Belfast International

Address
Airport check-in desksBelfast International Airport
Opening hours
Mon–Sun24 hours

Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel. Send advance notice to the duty officer. Belfast City Airport: 5am–10pm.

Phone
+44 28 9448 4323
Email
BelfastDutyOfficer@homeoffice.gov.uk
Official links

One caution: Northern Ireland isn't just another UK region for customs purposes. Moving goods temporarily between Northern Ireland and Great Britain follows different rules, so if your itinerary involves NI, check the setup with your chamber first - see the UK overview.

Small airports: don't assume anyone's there

Many smaller UK airports and ports work by "remote clearance" through a parent office (Brize Norton, for example, is handled via Heathrow). There may be no customs officer on site at all. If you're flying from anywhere not listed above, contact the airport or the National Carnet Unit well before travel and ask how carnets are handled there.

The departure routine, summarised

  1. Arrive early. Customs first, then check-in (unless the office tells you otherwise, like Manchester might).
  2. Present goods and carnet (or the app's QR code). The officer certifies the export, keeps the yellow voucher, stamps the counterfoil.
  3. On the way back: red channel, box F on the yellow re-import voucher. Details in using your carnet.
  4. Your EU import stamp happens at your first EU airport, not in the UK.

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.