GAR / customs hours
 

I would like to fly my Lancair from Vagar EKVG (non-EU) to Exeter EGTE on Friday, arriving around 21:00 local. The AIP lists customs hours as Mon-Fri 0645-2000, with prior notice required by 1600 on the previous day. The latest GAR instructions list EGTE as being "Customs & Excise Designated" and "Police Designated" but not "Certificate of Agreement" nor "Immigration Designated".

I am a British citizen and would be the only one on board for this private, non-commercial flight. Do I have any option for arriving outside of the published customs hours? From my limited understanding it appears not, so I'll have to stop somewhere else enroute to clear customs.

I spoke to Exeter and they couldn't tell me anything more than was in the AIP.

Thanks for any advice (including good customs stops in western GB or eastern NI)

As I understand it, as far as customs/immigration is concerned, there is no reason why you cannot roll up at Exeter from abroad anytime the place is open as long as you have filled in GAR form and given the appropriate amount of warning dependant on where you have come from. I do that at my private strip, I don't see why an airport should be different.
All the customs hours stuff applies (in the UK) if you arrive unannounced and/or (?) if you are commercial/scheduled with lots of pax.

If you have given the appropriate notice via a GAR, it's up to customs/UKBF whether they bother to attend. If you have a UK passport, I see no problem; it's only if you're travelling on a non EU passport you might get a 'visit'..

So for those of us very interested in your completing the USA/UK flight, what's your timing and route plan as of today H ?
mikehallam

FedEx lost my propeller somewhere in Denmark, by the time they find it again (allegedly Tuesday) I'll need to be heading back west so I don't think I'm going to make it to British soil under my own steam this time around. Will keep you apprised.