UK border requirements: national statement of expectations (accessible)
Published 8 February 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-border-requirements-national-statement-of-expectations-nse/uk-border-requirements-national-statement-of-expectations-accessible
1. Introduction
1.1. Purpose of the National Statement of Expectations
The UK Government has set out its vision in the 2025 UK Border Strategy, to have the world’s most effective border while placing partnership with the border industry at its core.
Current border policies require port operators to provide border provisions, to enable a fully operational and secure border. However, Border Force recognises the challenge industry faces in navigating border policies to ascertain the border requirements. The UK Border Requirements: National Statement of Expectations (NSE) will support ports to deliver border facilities and amenities.
In collaboration with wider government departments, Border Force has worked to develop a central source of border guidance, relating to border standards, policies, and processes.
The UK Border Requirements NSE supplements and streamlines current policies by outlining clear and detailed specifications relating to border infrastructure for ports to implement. These specifications are known as the Border Force Infrastructure Standards.
1.2. Delivering the 2025 UK Border Strategy
Border Force is a law enforcement command within the Home Office, responsible for securing the border and promoting national prosperity. Border Force does this by facilitating the legitimate movement of individuals and goods, while preventing those that would cause harm from entering the UK.
The UK Border is changing, and Border Force is transforming to ensure it can respond effectively to the changing environment and demands. There are three key pillars of Border Transformation that will help make our ambitions a reality:
- The future border: The design and delivery of the future operational border, one that provides an enhanced digital end-to-end customer journey that improves the flow and security of people and goods across the border in all modes.
- Performance metrics: Development of a new dashboard of performance metrics to transparently communicate Border Force performance to our external stakeholders, identify variances in performance, and to make data-driven decisions to achieve the future border vison.
- Port provisions: Setting out the standards and requirements for border infrastructure and facilities, as well as how the border of the future could be funded by way of a consistent, transparent, fair, and sustainable model.
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2. Border Force Infrastructure Standards
2.1. Introduction to Border Force Infrastructure Standards
As established in the 2025 UK Border Strategy, Border Force is committed to working with ports and the border industry to set out the standards and requirements for border infrastructure and facilities at ports.
Port structures are complex. Border Force operations at ports are multi-faceted and must remain responsive to the changing passenger flow and risk trends. To maintain a secure border, Border Force requires a range of facilities, accommodation, infrastructure, and equipment.
Border Force recognises the need to provide clarity regarding border requirements for internal and external delivery partners. Border Force is launching a comprehensive set of infrastructure standards to define the capabilities, features and legal requirements that are necessary to uphold the UK border. These standards have been developed in collaboration with stakeholders across the government, and respond to the 2025 UK Border Strategy commitment to set out the standards and requirements for border infrastructure and facilities at ports.
Each infrastructure standard provides an overview of the specific requirement along with optimal space planning guidelines, architectural room data sheets and exemplar layouts. In addition to the individual standards documents, Border Force has developed the:
- Introduction to Border Force Infrastructure Standards – to introduce the individual BFIS, how they should be used, and wider considerations
- Space Planning Principles – to illustrate optimal infrastructure adjacency/layouts diagrams
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2.2. Implementing the Border Force Infrastructure Standards
With direct access to the BFIS, Border Force will enable port operators to plan future port developments and projects more proactively and efficiently.
All BFIS are held on a secure browser, Viewpoint, with port operators able to access the documents at any time. This will significantly reduce the delays caused by manual processes in obtaining this information from Border Force officials. The BFIS may also minimise project costs as ports will be able to deliver port infrastructure and developments to meet the agreed technical and mechanical specifications.
2.3. Accessing the Border Force Infrastructure Standards
The BFIS are marked ‘Official – Sensitive’ under the Government Security Classifications.
Due to the sensitive nature of the BFIS, the documents are held on Viewpoint. Access to Viewpoint will be granted subject to the following criteria being met:
- a genuine requirement, or a business need for access (e.g. port development)
- valid Counter Terrorist Check security vetting (which is confirmed by the Home Office Security Support Team)
Further information on national security vetting and clearance levels can be found here.
The Border Force Infrastructure Standards Team is a dedicated Border Force team which holds responsibility for managing the BFIS including Viewpoint access requests. If you are a new user and meet the user criteria, please contact the Border Force Infrastructure Standards Team BFIS@homeoffice.gov.uk.
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3. List of Border Force Infrastructure Standards
Table 1.0 – Complete list of the BFIS documents
| Ref | Standard |
|---|---|
| BF-SD-0001 | Introduction to Border Force Infrastructure Standards |
| BF-SD-0002 | Space Planning Principles |
| BF-IS-0001 | Border Force Baggage Search Bench |
| BF-IS-0002 | Border Force Customs Lock-up |
| BF-IS-0003 | Border Force Forgery Room |
| BF-IS-0004 | Border Force Interview Rooms |
| BF-IS-0005 | Border Force Passenger Primary Control Point Desks |
| BF-IS-0006 | Border Force Search of Person Room |
| BF-IS-0007 | Border Force Server Room |
| BF-IS-0008 | Border Force Vehicle Examination Lanes and Vehicle Examination Sheds |
| BF-IS-0009 | Border Force Cold Storage/Examination |
| BF-IS-0010 | Border Force Customs Passenger Channels and Customs Passenger Examination |
| BF-IS-0011 | Border Force Customs Watch House/Observation Room |
| BF-IS-0012 | Border Force Embark Control and Office |
| BF-IS-0013 | Border Force Equipment Room |
| BF-IS-0014 | Border Force General Staff Areas |
| BF-IS-0015 | Border Force Biometrics Room |
| BF-IS-0016 | Border Force Kitchen Facilities |
| BF-IS-0017 | Border Force Rest Room |
| BF-IS-0018 | Border Force Vehicle PCP Lanes and Vehicle PCP Booths |
| BF-IS-0019 | Border Force Watch House (Arrivals Hall) |
| BF-IS-0020 | Border Force Freight Examination |
| BF-IS-0021 | Border Force Command and Control Unit |
| BF-IS-0022 | Border Force Customs Examination – International Post |
| BF-IS-0023 | Customs Declarations Counter (Public/Trade) |
| BF-IS-0024 | Border Force Cyclamen – Portal and Examination Areas – Air Freight |
| BF-IS-0025 | Border Force Cyclamen – Pedestrian Portal Area |
| BF-IS-0026 | Border Force Cyclamen – Server Room and Primary and Secondary Monitoring Office |
| BF-IS-0027 | Border Force Cyclamen – Portal and Examination Areas – Vehicle |
| BF-IS-0028 | Border Force External Detection Equipment Area |
| BF-IS-0029 | Border Force First Aid Room |
| BF-IS-0030 | Border Force Drug Testing Room |
| BF-IS-0031 | Border Force Staff and Official Vehicle Parking |
| BF-IS-0032 | Border Force Passenger Arrivals Hall and Parking |
| BF-IS-0033 | Border Force Staff Locker Room |
| BF-IS-0034 | Border Force Straddle Room |
| BF-IS-0035 | Border Force Vehicle Capture Point |
| BF-IS-0036 | Border Force Specimen Isolation Room |
| BF-IS-0037 | Border Force Armoury and Firearms Inspection Room |
| BF-IS-0038 | Border Force Border and Perimeter Security |
| BF-IS-0039 | Border Force Custody Suites |
| BF-IS-0040 | Border Force Dog Kennel Facilities and Rest Area |
| BF-IS-0041 | Border Force Immigration Stamp Lockers |
| BF-IS-0042 | Border Force Non-Detained Waiting Area |
| BF-IS-0043 | Border Force Non-Residential Short-Term Holding Facilities |
| BF-IS-0044 | Border Force Signage |
| BF-IS-0045 | Border Force Sample Rooms |
| BF-PIR-0001 | Port Requirements: CCTV, Trader System Access, Maintenance, Offload Service and WiFi |
3.1. Port Development Projects – Engaging with Border Force
Border Force works closely with a wide range of internal stakeholders to support the delivery of new port infrastructure and refurbishment of existing port infrastructure. This will ensure port developments meet safety, security, and operational requirements.
When planning a port development project, it is critical for port operators to engage with Border Force before committing to architectural and commercial plans.
Port operators should note that Border Force requires at least six months advance notice to sign-off any port infrastructure developments. In some cases this may be extended due to the scale and/or complexity of the proposed project. Failure to provide Border Force with sufficient notice may result in delays of approval.
A high-level overview of Border Force’s Estates Delivery Process is set out below. This process provides clarity and transparency of the end-to-end steps to provide port operators with an understanding of the actions taken at various stages.
Diagram 1 – A high-level overview of Border Force’s Estates Delivery Process. Further information on the Estates Delivery Process can be found in the Introduction to Border Force Infrastructure Standards (BFIS) document (available via Viewpoint).
- Port Operator to refer to BFIS in the UK Border Requirements NSE.
- Port Operator to note Border Force require at least 6 months* advance notice to sign-off any port infrastructure developments.
- Port Operator and Border Force to discuss and establish the project need, considering the Border Force infrastructure and space planning requirements.
- Border Force to raise an Estates Service Request (ESR) to initiate the process and engage internal teams and Border Force delivery partners.
- A feasibility study must be completed to understand the full scope of the work. Feasibility and any related costs are agreed with the port operator and underwritten by Border Force in a Letter of Intent (LOI) 1.
- A feasibility study is completed by Border Force delivery partners and a Border Force requirements report is shared with the Port Operator.
- Port Operator develops layout designs, in line with BFIS and build specification set out in the feasibility study in conjunction with Border Force delivery partners.
- The Port Operator will be informed of the project requirements and their TPF** funding obligations. These will be agreed in a Letter of Intent (LOI) 2.
- Port Operators to provide detailed and finalised plans on the basis of funding responsibility agreed in the LOI 2 for Border Force and delivery partners sign-off.
- Border Force and delivery partners to review and sign-off on project plans.
- Port Operators to begin project construction, collaborating with Border Force and their delivery partners throughout to ensure all project requirements are met.
- Where all project requirements have been met, Border Force will sign‑off the completed project and authorise use for Customs and / or Immigration purposes. This will include cost recovery from the Port Operator for TPF projects.
Please note the following caveats linked to the Border Force Estates Delivery Process:
*In certain cases, due to the scale or complexity of the development, there may be additional steps or lengthier timescales which apply, i.e. cyclamen projects or IT projects.
**Customs and Immigration legislation (including, but not limited to the: Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, the Immigration Act 1971 and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999) places legal obligations on the managers of ports to provide facilities and amenities that are reasonably necessary for, or in connection with, the operation of immigration control at the port and/or are considered necessary to facilitate the administration, collection, or enforcement of any duty of customs or the administration of general customs control. The collective term for this legislation is Trader Provided Free (TPF) legislation.
***Border Force delivery partners refers to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Professional Service Providers (surveyors/consultants) they employ.
4. Current Port Requirements
In accordance with Trader Provided Free (TPF) legislation, Border Force has the authority to designate and/or approve UK ports for the arrival and/or departure of goods and passengers. Under these powers, Border Force may issue directions and set approval conditions that require port operators to make facilities and amenities available to Border Force on a free of charge basis. We refer to those as Trader Provided Free (TPF) facilities.
4.1. Customs Approvals
A border location is an international boundary or first control point, where the movement of people and goods coming into or leaving the UK can be controlled.
All border locations must be an approved area and have a customs approval issued by Border Force before any international movements of people or goods takes place.
The approval terms and conditions relate to the use of the border location to move people or goods into or out of the UK. The approved operator is legally required to comply with the terms and conditions. Carriers, hauliers, and traders who operate under the terms of the approval must also comply.
Further information on getting approvals to operate a customs border location in the UK can be found online.
4.2. Designation of (Immigration) Control Areas
Designation of immigration control areas are required under Immigration Act 1971, to ensure Border Force, carriers and port operators agree and understand the control areas for the embarkation or disembarkation of passengers in any port, and any relevant conditions and restrictions that apply in the control area are observed. The primary purpose of the legislation is to ensure all relevant passengers are subjected to immigration control.
‘Designation of control areas’ are subject to ongoing review and change, as necessary (e.g. port developments). Border Force will continue to work closely with port operators and carriers to review and update ‘designation of control areas’ as required.
For any queries relating to a current designation of control area, you will need to contact the Border Force National Frontier Approvals Unit at: NationalFrontierApprovalsUnit@homeoffice.gov.uk
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Getting approvals to operate a customs border location in the UK
5. Maintaining open dialogue with Ports
Border Force is committed to working in partnership with internal and external delivery partners to develop the future border approach and jointly deliver the 2025 UK Border Strategy.
Border Force will maintain open and transparent dialogue with delivery partners, ensuring collaboration remains at the heart of subsequent guidance and policy development. The UK Border Requirements NSE will remain the primary tool by which Border Force will share information relating to border provisions.
For enquiries relating to port developments, please continue to liaise directly with the local Border Force contacts.
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to the Border Force Infrastructure Standards Team at BFIS@homeoffice.gov.uk