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ATA Carnet at Dover and the Eurotunnel

Driving a robot to the continent is where post-Brexit carnet logistics bite hardest. The crossing itself is quick; the carnet stamp isn't at the crossing. Vehicles using Dover or the Eurotunnel at Folkestone get their carnets processed at an inland border facility (IBF) away from the port, and picking the wrong one can cost you hours. Here's the current picture.

The short version: go to Sevington

Per the June 2025 UKNATACO security chart: all vehicles travelling via Dover or Folkestone must use the Sevington Inland Border Facility. Stop 24 and Dover Western Docks only process carnets for registered users. Sevington handles both inbound and outbound movements, including carnet stamping, transit start/end and inspections.

Sevington Inland Border Facility

Address
Mersham, AshfordKent TN25 6GE
Opening hours
Mon–Sun24/7 per secondary sources - confirm before travel

Function list from the 2024 HMRC ports list; the 24/7 claim is from secondary sources only. The gov.uk page on inland border facilities was unreachable when we checked, so phone or check gov.uk before you set off.

Official links

Other inland border facilities

The 2024 HMRC ports list names these IBFs as processing carnets, useful if your route starts further north:

FacilityAddressDirection
SevingtonMersham, Ashford TN25 6GEInbound + outbound
EbbsfleetInternational Way, Ebbsfleet Valley DA10 1EBOutbound
North WealdNorth Weald Airfield, Epping CM16 6GBOutbound
BirminghamBHX Car Park 6, B26 3QYInbound + outbound
WarringtonBarley Castle Lane, Appleton Thorn WA4 4SRInbound + outbound
Dover Western DocksLord Warden Square, CT17 9DNInbound, registered users only

As with the airports, these details are from a list dated 2024: verify before travel.

Freight and hauliers: GMR plus pre-notification

Goods moving through the freight channel need pre-notification and a Goods Movement Reference (GMR), both when leaving the UK and when returning. Eurotunnel returns can be processed at the Calais freight terminal on the French side. If a forwarder drives your robot, make sure they hold the carnet and know it needs stamping; the GMR doesn't replace the carnet stamps.

Dover freight customs office

Address
Lord Warden Square, Western DocksDover CT17 9DN
Opening hours
Mon–Sun24/7

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

Phone
+44 3000 518831
Email
doverinternationaltrade@homeoffice.gov.uk
Official links

Driving to Ireland: Holyhead

Outbound carnet processing for the Holyhead ferries happens at the Roadking Truckstop, Parc Cybi, Kingsland, Holyhead LL65 2YQ. UKNATACO's instruction: pre-notify 24 hours in advance by email to both bfholyhead@homeoffice.gov.uk (Border Force) and nchfrontdesk@revenue.ie (Irish customs). Ireland is in the EU, so the Irish import stamp is your one stamp for all 27 member states.

On the French side

The UK stamp is only half the trip: you also need the EU import stamp on arrival in Calais or Coquelles (and the EU re-export stamp on the way back). We're covering the French side in our France guide - see Calais & Eurotunnel, French side.

Route checklist

  1. Carnet itinerary includes the EU plus any transit countries - see getting a carnet.
  2. Outbound: Sevington (or another outbound IBF) for the UK export stamp before the port.
  3. Freight channel: GMR created, pre-notification done.
  4. EU import stamp at first entry; EU re-export stamp when leaving.
  5. Inbound: Sevington (or another inbound IBF) for the UK re-import stamp, box F completed - see using your carnet.

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.