e-Borders requirements for carriers and ports
This section explains the requirements carriers and ports must meet for providing advance electronic information about passengers and crew under our e-Borders programme, how we plan to implement that programme, and how we will help carriers and ports to meet their obligations.
The e-Borders programme will collect and analyse information on all passengers and crew intending to travel to or from the United Kingdom, or in transit through the United Kingdom. All air, sea, and rail carriers will be required to collect this information. We will use it to assess the risks presented by people entering and leaving the United Kingdom, and identify those of interest to the authorities before they arrive in the United Kingdom or on an outbound journey.
For more general information about what the e-Borders programme is and how it is modernising United Kingdom border control, see e-Borders.
For information on the legislation that governs how e-Borders collects and manages information, see Our legal powers to collect and manage information on travellers.
The information in this section is relevant to all carriers that transport passengers or goods to and from the United Kingdom. This includes individual people, businesses, or organisations. It will also be relevant to ports, which will have to support the installation of equipment. You will find the information that is most relevant to you in the sections listed below.
Aviation
- Cargo - This section is for dedicated cargo-only flights, including mail flights. The people involved are normally only the crew members, but occasionally include a few passengers. For information on passenger flights that reserve capacity for cargo, see Commercial carriers.
- Commercial carriers - This section is for scheduled and charter flights.
- General aviation (including business aviation and business charter) - This section is for all plane and helicopter flights except those operated by major airlines and the armed forces. It particularly applies to business aviation.
Maritime
- Cruises - This section is for cruise operators with passenger-only vessels making journeys that may have multiple destinations. Unlike a ferry, a cruise vessel does not usually operate on a single fixed route.
- Ferries - This section is for international roll-on, roll-off ferry routes that carry a mixture of freight and passenger traffic.
-
Fishing boats and leisure craft - This section is for leisure craft and fishing vessels that are undertaking international journeys.
- cargo vessels including containers, break bulk, dry bulk, wet bulk and vehicles;
- dredgers, cable layers and other off-shore working vessels; and
- off-shore supply and tugs.
Rail
- Through-tunnel passenger services - This section is for rail services through the Channel Tunnel that are for passengers only.
- Through-tunnel vehicle services - This section is for rail services through the Channel Tunnel that carry vehicles and their passengers.
- Through-tunnel freight services - This section is for rail services through the Channel Tunnel that carry goods but do not carry passengers.
Ports
When we refer to ports on these pages, we mean all rail, maritime and aviation ports, both within the United Kingdom and in other countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What will our data be used for?
For full details of what e-Borders aims to achieve and what we will do with the information we receive from carriers, see our general information on e-Borders. -
How will e-Borders be marketed to foreign governments?
We will market e-Borders widely internationally. We will address any issues in requesting data from certain countries on an individual basis through established communication channels.
News & updates
Terms explained
-
Cargo carriers
These are carriers that operate dedicated cargo-only flights, including mail flights.
-
Carrier
A person or organisation that transports passengers or goods in and out of the United Kingdom.
-
Cruise ships
This is a passenger-only vessel that travels to one or more destinations.
-
Ferries
These are carriers of passengers or goods that operate on a fixed route to fixed timetables.