LNTM - 03/01/23

UK Entry & Exit Formalities for Recreational Craft
03 January 2023

(This notice replaces Local Notice to Mariners 56(T) of 2022 which is hereby cancelled)

Notice is hereby given that there has been an amendment to the customs and immigration procedures that were adopted by the UK Government from 1st January 2022 to include the use of a new electronic form.

Display ‘Q’ Flag on arrival

If you arrive from outside the UK (and this includes the Channel Islands) the ‘Q’ flag must be flown, where it can readily be seen, as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12 nautical mile limit). Do not take down the flag until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.

Customs Notification

Visitors are required to call the National Yachtline on +44 (0) 300 123 2012 to declare their vessel status (VAT paid, goods). See the National Yachtline website for more details.

Immigration Notification

Visitors seeking entry into the UK (including visitors from the European Economic Area) must call the regional Border Force office; Border Force South on +44 (0)7557 205925 upon arrival or ahead of arrival for immigration purposes. Visitors are not permitted to leave their craft until they have been granted permission to enter the UK. Border Force Officers will be available from 05:30 till 02:00 GMT every day to answer calls.

For full details see the UK Government website: Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

Pleasure Craft Report form

Before leaving and entering from locations outside the UK and Isle of Man (which includes the Channel Islands), you must advise the Border Force of your intentions by completing a Pleasure Craft Report (sPCR) form and submitting online. Alternatively, the sPCR Fallback form is an excel version that will allow data to be submitted by email. If it is not possible to submit the sPCR form electronically, the C1331 form can be posted to the address on the form. Please see pleasure craft on voyages leaving or arriving in the UK for further guidance.

Please see the custom rules for sailing your pleasure craft to, from and within UK waters for further information.

This local notice to mariners will remain in force until further notice