What Is Border Force? Arriving in the UK Epassport Gates

What is Border Force? Arriving in the UK ePassport gates

Border Force plays a pivotal role in the When you arrive in the UK, Border Force If you are over 18, an EU national fight against terrorism, organised crime needs to undertake important passport or Registered Traveller and have and illegal migration, exploiting the and customs checks to maintain the an ePassport (a passport with this unique point of intervention presented by security of the UK. symbol on the front) you can the UK border. It is an integral part of the use one of our ePassport gates. UK law enforcement landscape. There are a number of simple steps that you can take to speed up your journey. The ePassport gates are simple and This guide aims to provide basic quick to use: information that can help you prepare to cross the UK border. At passport control Open to the photo page. • Have your passport ready Don’t forget to Before you start your journey: and out of any cover. remove your passport from • It’s helpful to have any documentation its cover. related to your visit to the UK in your hand luggage (for example your • Remove any glasses, Hold the photo page itinerary) in case a Border Force sunglasses and hats. face down on officer needs to see it. the reader. Keep it in position. • To protect children from trafficking, those travelling with children under 18 • It is quicker if family Look ahead at the who are not the child’s parent or do groups go to passport screen until it not share the same surname may control together. turns green. be asked about their relationship to Then remove your that child. It may be helpful to carry passport and walk photocopies of birth certificates or • If you are from outside the through the gate. other documentation. EU you need to complete a landing card (one per • You should fill in your Advance person) before you arrive Passenger Information (API) carefully at passport control. and in plenty of time before you fly. • Group leaders should make themselves known ! to passport control. Customs Information Further Information

There are limits on goods that you can UK border control visit bring into the UK from different countries. www.gov.uk/uk-border-control You should check the restrictions before you travel to the UK but if in doubt you For details on what Britain has to offer can use the red telephone in the red go to www.visitbritain.com customs channel. For more information on what you can A guide • Do not bring in any meat and cannot bring into the UK please visit or dairy products from www.gov.uk/government/publications/ to entering outside the EU. There are travelling-to-the-uk also restrictions on some traditional medicines, food Registered Traveller is a new service the UK products and plants. launched by Border Force to give faster and more convenient entry to the UK for • It is against the law to frequent travellers. For more information bring in animal products or visit www.gov.uk/registered-traveller endangered species. For information on visa applications go to www.gov.uk/government/ • There are restrictions on organisations/uk-visas-and- the quantities and value of immigration tobacco, alcohol and gifts you can bring to the UK.

• Never bring in counterfeit goods, illegal drugs, offensive weapons or indecent and obscene material. Some items are restricted and will require a licence or permit.