Complete Guide to GAR Submission in 2026: Everything Pilots Need to Know

Introduction

The General Aviation Report (GAR) is a mandatory notification that all pilots, operators, and aircraft owners must submit to UK Border Force before international flights to or from the United Kingdom. Since the implementation of the General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024, compliance has become more critical than ever, with penalties of up to £10,000 per breach.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about GAR submission in 2026, including timing requirements, required information, and best practices to ensure compliance.

What is a General Aviation Report?

A GAR is an advance notification to Border Force and Police about your planned flight. It includes:

Flight details: Departure and arrival airports, dates, and times (in UTC)

Aircraft information: Registration, type, make, model, and base

Persons on board: All crew and passengers with their travel document details

Responsible person: Contact details for the person responsible for the flight

Customs declarations: Any goods to declare or reasons for travel

When Do You Need to Submit a GAR?

Flights Requiring a GAR

You must submit a GAR for:

All international flights arriving in the UK from abroad

All international flights departing the UK to a foreign destination

Flights within the Common Travel Area (CTA) - UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands

Flights NOT Requiring a GAR

You do not need to submit a GAR for:

Domestic flights within the UK (e.g., London to Manchester)

Flights that remain entirely within UK airspace

Timing Requirements

The timing of your GAR submission is critical for compliance:

RequirementTiming

|-------------|--------|

Earliest submission48 hours before departure Latest submission2 hours before departure Amendment deadlineUp to 2 hours before departure

Important Notes on Timing

Submitting too early (more than 48 hours before departure) may result in non-compliance

Submitting too late (less than 2 hours before departure) may result in civil penalties

Amendments can only be made up to 2 hours before departure - after this, you must delay the flight or submit a new GAR

Required Information

Flight Details

Departure airport (ICAO code or coordinates)

Departure date and time (UTC)

Arrival airport (ICAO code or coordinates)

Arrival date and time (UTC)

Aircraft Details

Aircraft registration number

Aircraft type (ICAO designator)

Aircraft make and model

Home base/port of registration

Owner details (name and address)

Persons on Board

For each person (crew and passengers), you need:

Full name (as shown on travel document)

Date of birth

Nationality

Sex

Travel document type and number

Document expiry date

Country of issue

Responsible Person

Full name

Contact telephone number

Email address

Full address including postcode

Role (Captain, Fixed Base Operator, Operator, or Other)

Customs Information

Whether you have anything to declare

Reason for passengers travelling to the UK

Reason for visit (Based, Short term visit, Maintenance, etc.)

Any additional information for Border Force

Permission to Travel Responses

After submitting your GAR, you'll receive permission to travel responses for each person on board:

Valid Permission to Travel

✅ This person has digital permission (eVisa, ETA) and can travel to the UK.

Authority to Carry Granted

⚠️ For British/Irish nationals, their passport is their permission. For others, manually verify they have a physical visa or ETA.

No Record of Valid Permission to Travel

❌ No digital permission found. Check for physical visa/stamp or contact Border Force Carrier Support Hub.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect ICAO codes - Always verify airport codes before submission

Wrong time zone - All times must be in UTC, not local time

Expired travel documents - Check all passport expiry dates before flight

Missing responsible person - This is mandatory for all submissions

Late amendments - Changes within 2 hours require delaying the flight

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The 2024 Regulations introduced significant penalties:

Up to £10,000 per breach

Emailed GARs are not accepted - You must use the official sGAR service or an approved third-party application

Multiple breaches can result in multiple penalties

Best Practices

Submit early - Aim for 24-48 hours before departure to allow time for corrections

Double-check all details - Especially passport numbers and ICAO codes

Save passenger details - Build a library of frequent travellers for faster submission

Monitor permission responses - Check responses and resolve any issues before departure

Keep records - Save your GAR reference numbers and confirmation emails

Conclusion

GAR compliance is essential for all general aviation operations to and from the UK. By understanding the requirements, timing, and best practices outlined in this guide, you can ensure smooth, compliant flights while avoiding costly penalties.

For more information, visit the official GOV.UK guidance or contact the Border Force Carrier Support Hub on 0300 369 0610.

*Last updated: January 2026*