URL: https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/dover-eurotunnel
Last reviewed: 2026-06-12
Summary: Driving carnet goods between the UK and the EU via Dover or the Eurotunnel: the Sevington Inland Border Facility, why Stop 24 no longer works, GMRs for hauliers, the Dover freight office, and Holyhead for Ireland.

# 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, Ashford, Kent TN25 6GE
- Opening hours:
  - Note: 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:
  - [UKNATACO - Security Rate Chart (Sevington requirement, EU footnote)](https://uknataco.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Security-Rate-Chart-June-2025.pdf)
  - [UKNATACO - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/)

> **⚠️ Ignore older advice pointing to Stop 24**
> 
> You'll still find guidance (including, when we checked, a UKNATACO FAQ page) telling personal vehicles to use the Stop 24 services at Folkestone. A trade source reports that Stop 24's carnet facility **closed on 1 January 2024**, and the June 2025 chart makes Sevington the rule. Treat Sevington as the working answer, and check before travelling if anything about your trip is unusual.

## Other inland border facilities

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

| Facility | Address | Direction |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Sevington** | Mersham, Ashford TN25 6GE | Inbound + outbound |
| **Ebbsfleet** | International Way, Ebbsfleet Valley DA10 1EB | Outbound |
| **North Weald** | North Weald Airfield, Epping CM16 6GB | Outbound |
| **Birmingham** | BHX Car Park 6, B26 3QY | Inbound + outbound |
| **Warrington** | Barley Castle Lane, Appleton Thorn WA4 4SR | Inbound + outbound |
| **Dover Western Docks** | Lord Warden Square, CT17 9DN | Inbound, 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 Docks, Dover CT17 9DN
- Opening hours:
  - Note: Hours from the 2024 HMRC ports list - verify before travel.
- Phone: +44 3000 518831
- Email: doverinternationaltrade@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/)

## 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](mailto:bfholyhead@homeoffice.gov.uk) (Border Force) and [nchfrontdesk@revenue.ie](mailto: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](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/eu/france#calais-eurotunnel).

## Route checklist

1. Carnet itinerary includes the EU plus any transit countries - see [getting a carnet](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/get-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](https://carnet-ata-for-robotics.com/uk/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.

- [UKNATACO - Security Rate Chart (Sevington requirement for Dover/Folkestone)](https://uknataco.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Security-Rate-Chart-June-2025.pdf) (English, PDF, June 2025)
- [ATA Carnet - List of UK Ports/Airports (IBF addresses, Dover freight office)](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 - HMRC contacts and ports processing carnets (GMR, Holyhead, Eurotunnel)](https://uknataco.co.uk/faq/hmrc-contact-details-and-list-of-ports-processing-carnets/) (English)
- [Strong & Herd - update on Stop 24 and Dover Western Docks (secondary; Stop 24 closure)](https://www.strongandherd.co.uk/update-to-stop-24-and-dover-western-docks-inland-border-facilities) (English)
- [Boomerang Carnets - UK inland border facilities (secondary; Sevington 24/7 claim)](https://www.boomerangcarnets.co.uk/ATA-Carnet-Inland-Border-Facilities) (English)

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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.