URL: https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/airports
Last reviewed: 2026-09-14
Summary: Getting an ATA Carnet stamped at UK airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Belfast and the Eurostar at St Pancras. Office locations, opening hours and phone numbers, plus the before-check-in rule.

# 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.

> **⚠️ Verify hours before travel**
> 
> All hours and phone numbers below come from HMRC's "List of UK Ports/Airports" PDF dated **2024**. That's the most recent official list we found, but it's not live data. Phone the office before you book a tight connection, especially for early or late flights.

## 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 Road, Hounslow TW6 2LA
- Opening hours:
  - Note: Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.
- Phone: +44 20 3014 5600
- Email: fpt@homeoffice.gov.uk
- Official links:
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)

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

atacarnet.com publishes per-terminal Heathrow guides showing where the Border Force desk sits: [Terminal 2](https://www.atacarnet.com/sites/default/files/documents/airport_maps/LHR_Airport_Map_T2_-_US_Version.pdf), [Terminal 3](https://www.atacarnet.com/sites/default/files/documents/airport_maps/LHR_Airport_Map_T3_-_US_Version.pdf), [Terminal 4](https://www.atacarnet.com/sites/default/files/documents/airport_maps/LHR_Airport_Map_T4_-_US_Version.pdf), [Terminal 5](https://www.atacarnet.com/sites/default/files/documents/airport_maps/LHR_Airport_Map_T5_-_US_Version.pdf) (PDFs). They're a third-party aid and a few years old, so use them to find the office and stick to HMRC's list for the hours.

## Gatwick

**Border Force South, Gatwick (cargo distribution)**

- Address: Rm 14-18 Timberham House, Gatwick Airport RH6 0EZ
- Opening hours:
  - Note: Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.
- Phone: +44 1293 501032
- Email: borderforcesouthcargogatwick@homeoffice.gov.uk
- Official links:
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)
  - [Terminal map - customs office location (atacarnet.com, PDF)](https://www.atacarnet.com/sites/default/files/documents/airport_maps/LGW_Airport_Map_-_US_Version.pdf)

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:
  - Note: Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.
- Phone: +44 161 261 5904
- Official links:
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)

**Manchester Freight Terminal**

- Address: Manchester Airport Cargo Centre, Building 302, M90 5XX
- Opening hours:
  - Note: Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel. The phone line is staffed 24/7.
- Phone: +44 161 261 5944
- Official links:
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)

> **⚠️ Manchester's passenger procedure: phone ahead**
> 
> A secondary source describes a different routine at Manchester: check your bags in, go through security, then use the red telephone. That contradicts the general "stamp before check-in" rule, and we couldn't resolve the conflict from official sources. Call 0161 261 5904 before you fly and ask exactly where they want you and your goods.

## Stansted

**Border Force, Stansted**

- Address: Terminal Building, Stansted CM24 1QS
- Opening hours:
  - Note: Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.
- Phone: +44 1279 665825
- Official links:
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)

## 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**.

> **💡 Early Eurostar? Stamp the day before.**
> 
> An export stamp doesn't have to happen at the moment of departure. If your train leaves before the desk opens, arrange the stamp the previous day and travel with a fully validated carnet.

## Belfast (Northern Ireland)

**Border Force, Belfast International**

- Address: Airport check-in desks, Belfast International Airport
- Opening hours:
  - Note: 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:
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)

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](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk).

## 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](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/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.

- [ATA Carnet - List of UK Ports/Airports (all hours, addresses and phone numbers above)](https://www.londonchamber.co.uk/LCCI_Media/LCCI/Media/Trade-Documentation/ATA-Carnets/ATA-Carnet-List-of-UK-Ports-Airports-2024.pdf) (English, PDF, dated 2024)
- [UKNATACO - FAQ hub (before-check-in rule, red channel, Eurostar)](https://uknataco.co.uk/ata-frequently-asked-questions/) (English)
- [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/) (English)
- [Carnet stamping locations overview (secondary; Heathrow and Gatwick passenger notes)](https://www.copsdocs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Carnet-stamping-locations-.pdf) (English, PDF, 2024)
- [atacarnet.com - airport maps for carnet users (Heathrow and Gatwick terminal diagrams marking the customs office; third-party US carnet provider, some guides dated)](https://www.atacarnet.com/airport-maps-carnets) (English, PDFs)

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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.