Report a lost item through Heathrow's official online lost property database at lhr.lostandfoundsoftware.com. Items typically take 24 to 48 hours to appear, are held for three months, and reclaim fees run from nothing up to about £25 per item plus postage. There is no charge to report. Checked August 2026.
Start online, not at a desk
Heathrow's lost property is run by a specialist operator, and the whole process starts on their website: lhr.lostandfoundsoftware.com. Reporting your item and searching the found-property database is free. You describe what you lost, where and roughly when, and the system tries to match it against items that have been handed in.
Give it a little time. Found items take about 24 to 48 hours to be logged and appear on the database, so if you check an hour after landing and see nothing, that does not mean your item is gone. Search again the next day.
What happens when there is a match
If the database finds your item, you confirm ownership through the online form. Once ownership is verified you are given a reference code, and you arrange return through the operator's delivery service, entering your code and paying any fee plus postage. Because it is handled online, you can do this after you have left the airport or even the country.
What it costs
Reporting is free. Reclaiming carries a handling fee that depends on the item, and you add postage if you want it mailed to you. As a guide to the operator's fee bands:
| Item type | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Glasses, umbrellas, books | Around £5 |
| Keys, e-readers, mobile phones | Around £15 |
| Laptops, cameras, suitcases | Around £25 |
| Low-value or unclaimed small items | Can be £0 |
Postage and packing are extra and depend on where the item is sent. Confirm the current fee for your specific item when you claim, as bands can change.
How long items are kept
Lost property is held for three months from the date it was found or handed in. After that, unclaimed items are disposed of or donated, so do not leave it too long. If your item is valuable or contains personal data, such as a phone or laptop, report it as soon as you can and keep checking the database.
Lost something on the Heathrow Express or the Tube?
Lost property is split by where you lost it, not just the airport as a whole:
- Left on a Heathrow Express train or platform: check with Heathrow Express lost property, which is handled separately from the terminals.
- Left on the Piccadilly line or the Elizabeth line: this falls under Transport for London lost property, which has its own process and fees and is not the same as the airport's.
- Left in a terminal, security, a shop or a lounge: use the airport operator's database at lhr.lostandfoundsoftware.com.
Reporting to the right service saves time, because each one only holds what was handed in to it.
Can you collect in person?
Most returns are arranged online and posted out. The operator has listed staffed collection points in the past, including near the Heathrow Express station between Terminals 2 and 3 and at Terminal 5, but in-person collection arrangements change, so do not travel to the airport expecting to walk up and collect. Confirm current collection options through the online system before making a trip. We were not able to independently reconfirm walk-in collection for August 2026, so treat it as unverified and check first.
How to reduce the odds of losing something
- Photograph your bags and valuables before you fly, so you can describe them accurately.
- Label cases and gadgets with a name and contact, or use a tracker.
- Do a "seat sweep" before leaving any gate, lounge or train seat, checking seat-back pockets and under the seat.
If you left something in a car park or with someone collecting you, see our guide to where to meet at Heathrow arrivals. If you're not sure which terminal your item went through, our guide to finding your Heathrow terminal can help narrow it down.
More
More: Overview, Facilities, FAQs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a lost item at Heathrow? Use the official online database at lhr.lostandfoundsoftware.com. Reporting and searching are free, and items usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of being handed in.
How much does it cost to get a lost item back from Heathrow? Fees range from nothing to about £25 per item, plus postage. As a guide, glasses or books are around £5, phones around £15 and laptops or suitcases around £25.
How long does Heathrow keep lost property? Items are held for three months from the date they were found or handed in. After that they are disposed of or donated.
I lost something on the Heathrow Express or the Tube. Who do I contact? Those are handled separately. Contact Heathrow Express for Express trains, and Transport for London for the Piccadilly line or Elizabeth line, not the airport's terminal lost property.
Can I collect a lost item in person at Heathrow? Most items are returned by post through the online system. In-person collection arrangements change, so confirm current options online before travelling to the airport.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.