Pay Air Passenger Duty
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-01)

How to pay Air Passenger Duty, and how long it takes for your payment to reach HMRC.

This guide explains how and when to pay Air Passenger Duty, and what to do if you have nothing to pay.

When to pay

Your notice to file will tell you the deadline for payment. This deadline is extended by 7 calendar days if you pay by:
- Direct Debit
- Faster Payments
- CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System)
- Bacs (Bankers Automated Clearing System)
If you’re using the Occasional Operator Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-and-pay-air-passenger-duty-if-you-operate-flights-occasionally), you must pay within 7 days of your flight.

If the deadline is on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC by the end of the previous working day.

If you do not pay by the deadline you may need to pay a penalty, interest or both.

What you need

You need your 15-character reference number starting with X.

You can find this on your notice to file.

If you use the Occasional Operator Scheme, you’ll need to contact HMRC for a reference number. Use this each time you report and pay Air Passenger Duty. Make a note of this reference as you will not get a notice to file.

If you use an incorrect reference number, there will be a delay in the payment being allocated correctly.

Pay online

You can approve a payment through your online bank account.

Pay Now (https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/pay/air-passenger-duty/start-journey)

Paying online through your bank account

You can pay by approving a payment through your online bank account by selecting the ‘pay by bank account’ option.

You will be directed to sign in to your online or mobile banking account to approve your payment.

You will need to have your online banking details to hand to pay this way.

The payment is usually instant but can take up to 2 hours to show in your bank account.

Pay by Direct Debit

To set up a Direct Debit, you can print out and post the Direct Debit Instruction form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/instruction-to-your-bank-or-building-society-to-pay-by-direct-debit-eeitt15).

You should allow 10 working days for HMRC to set up your Direct Debit. You’ll need to use another method to pay if it is not set up in time.

Once HMRC has set up your Direct Debit, they’ll automatically collect the amount shown on your return.

You cannot pay by Direct Debit under the Occasional Operator Scheme.

You must pay in a different way if you are making a payment of £20 million or more.

Pay by bank transfer

If you pay by CHAPS or Faster Payments, your payment will be received on the same or next working day.

If you pay by Bacs, allow 3 working days for the payment to reach HMRC.

We recommend you check your bank’s processing times and maximum transaction limits before you pay.

Account details to use if your account is in the UK

Use the following details to make a payment if your account is in the UK:
- sort code — 08 32 00
- account number — 12000938
- account name — HMRC Air Passenger Duty
Account details to use if your account is overseas

Use the following details to make a payment if your account is overseas:
- account number (IBAN) — GB70 BARC 2005 1733 0642 98
- Business Identifier Code (BIC) — BARCGB22
- account name — HMRC Air Passenger Duty
You must make all payments in pound sterling. Your bank may charge you if you use any other currency.

If needed, you can provide your bank with the following HMRC banking address:

Barclays Bank Plc1 Churchill PlaceLondonUnited KingdomE14 5HP

Pay by cheque

Allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC.

Make your cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’ and write your reference number on the back.

Do not fold the cheque or attach it to other papers.

You can include a letter to ask for a receipt.

Send your cheque to:

HM Revenue and CustomsDirectBX5 5BDUnited Kingdom

If you have nothing to pay

You must submit your return to HMRC even if you work out you have nothing to pay.

If you have made an error on your return

You can correct errors on a return already submitted (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/record-keeping-for-air-passenger-duty#meth-one). If you’re due a repayment, it will usually reduce the amount you need to pay on your next return.