Arrivals from Outside the UK
Brighton City Airport (Shoreham) is designated as a customs & excise port of entry by the UK Border Force. If you are arriving at Brighton City Airport, having travelled from outside of the UK, you will need to know the rules and regulations regarding customs and immigration.
Entering the UK: Overview – GOV.UK
On arrival at Brighton City Airport, it is likely you will be met by Border Force. If Border Force do not attend your aircraft, please proceed towards International Arrivals, within the Main Terminal Building. Those arriving should read the information provided in the Arrivals Hall and use the phone available to make any customs declaration. If a person has nothing to declare then proceed into the Main Terminal. Do not try to re-enter the Arrivals Hall from the corridor in the Main Terminal.
General Aviation Report (GAR)
GA pilots, operators and owners of aircraft, making Common Travel Area* and international journeys, are required to report or provide notification of their expected journey to UK authorities. The information provided in a GAR is used by Border Force, HMRC and the Police to facilitate legitimate passage of persons and goods across the border and to prevent crime and terrorism.
For the latest information regarding requirements for reporting, please read the following government document:
General Aviation Report (GAR) Guidance – April 2024
The annexes at the end of the document set out the circumstances and timescales in which you are required to submit a GAR, depending on your departure and destination airports.
The only method to submit a GAR is electronically. This can be done via the Border Force digital application ‘Submit a GAR’ (sGAR), which is a free-to-use Government digital service. It is available to pilots, operators, and aircraft owners operating GA flights to and from the UK. You can register for the service by visiting:
Create GAR | Start (submit-general-aviation-report.service.gov.uk)
You can also use approved third-party applications or system to system connections listed on gov.uk
The option to email a GAR to Border Force is no longer available, unless there is an sGAR system outage, which will be confirmed on the sGAR webservice homepage.
* Common Travel Area:
The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an agreement between the UK and Ireland (including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) that allows citizens from either country to travel freely between both without the need for passport checks.
Terrorism Act 2000 Reporting Requirements
T: 01444 449628
Travelling with Animals
Visitors should consult the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for the current rules and regulations governing the transport of animals into the UK from abroad.
