Belgian customs

Phoenix of Hamble

Phoenix of Hamble

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We were checked over by Belgian customs on Monday.... thought i'd just report on what they were interested in seeing for others reference.

Firstly, they were unfailingly polite and friendly. There was no hint of agression. Chatty, civil, and even apologetic.

They asked to see the registration cert (in my case part 1, but SSR for many)
They wanted Hull number (HIN)
They wanted Engine number
They asked for the capacity of the fuel tank
They reviewed all our passports
They asked for my personal VHF certificate (not boats cert)

What they did not ask for

A receipt of any sort with or without a VAT element
any Schengen forms
Anything about flares, liferaft servicing etc etc
Any qualifications etc
To see any log books, engine logs or otherwise
Any attempt to test/dip/see the fuel (red or otherwise)

They also asked if we had a copy of the boats insurance onboard, but weren't at all bothered that I didn't have

So there you go!
 
I watched quite a few skippers being interviewed by the 'Duane'. One thing in common, it was only those of British boats.... Just as well as I had forgotten my passport! :eek:
 
Euro Customs

It could have been very different atmosphere if you had left your Insurance Certificate at home.

Every time I have been boarded that was always a requirement along with the Registration Certificate, even though we in the UK do not need to register our boats.

They are always very polite and chatty as you say, underneath they aint fools.
 
I did leave my insurance certificate at home!

They weren't at all bothered!

My understanding of the registration issue is that while you are correct in that a UK boat does not need to be registered at all, it must be registered if it wishes to enter the territorial waters of any other nation, hence the creation of the low cost SSR scheme. Just to clarify the point for future readers.
 
Morgana said:
We were checked over by Belgian customs on Monday.... thought i'd just report on what they were interested in seeing for others reference.

Firstly, they were unfailingly polite and friendly. There was no hint of agression. Chatty, civil, and even apologetic.

They asked to see the registration cert (in my case part 1, but SSR for many)
They wanted Hull number (HIN)
They wanted Engine number
They asked for the capacity of the fuel tank
They reviewed all our passports
They asked for my personal VHF certificate (not boats cert)

What they did not ask for

A receipt of any sort with or without a VAT element
any Schengen forms
Anything about flares, liferaft servicing etc etc
Any qualifications etc
To see any log books, engine logs or otherwise
Any attempt to test/dip/see the fuel (red or otherwise)

They also asked if we had a copy of the boats insurance onboard, but weren't at all bothered that I didn't have

So there you go!
Click to expand...

Thursday we were asked for
1/ Reg Doc.
( Micky Mouse SSR ) surprised no mention of engine No on it & agreed it could be used for another craft.
2/ VHF user Licence ( mine was @ home :rolleyes: )
3/ Passports
 
regarding ships vhf licence

i was wondering , as its been a few since i last had a ships licence , whats happend to the disc we used to display in a portside window ??

ive just done the online application for one and it would appear that all i do is print out all pages and keep them on the boat - is this right ?

is my users licence still ok as its about 15 yrs old ?:rolleyes:


i do have a ofcom 1 for my hand held tho :D
 
nigelm said:
i was wondering , as its been a few since i last had a ships licence , whats happend to the disc we used to display in a portside window ??
Click to expand...
It was phased out in favour of the free self printed paperwork

nigelm said:
ive just done the online application for one and it would appear that all i do is print out all pages and keep them on the boat - is this right ?
Click to expand...
Yes.

nigelm said:
is my users licence still ok as its about 15 yrs old ?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
yes, they don't expire... only exception is if you now have a DSC enabled VHF, in which case, you need to upgrade your VHF cert to cover this
 
We were in France last week and there was no interest in us at all. The french customs looked over a german boat but we never even showed a passport -. In Bolougne we were asked by marina where we had come from and where we were going angd in Dieppe the marina asked for papers but just looked at the registration(part 1 in our case as well) and then lost interest. Saw customs guys and boats several times .....

But we also watched UK customs board an Oyster flying an Italian flag en route down the gull stream ,and they were on board a long time -I'd guess they were on delivery trip
 
We too were boarded in Ostend and put through a fairly thorough Q&A session, although I have to say the chap was very amicable, and was there to do a job. He seemed to be more interested in knowing that we were aware of the fuel rules, rather than looking at receipts/tank dipping (he did the former (sort of) but not the latter. We had all the insurance/VHF/SSR etc photocopies on board inc passports which were checked. I really got the feeling that had we not had all the documents then it really wouldnt have been an issue.
 
CPD said:
We too were boarded in Ostend and put through a fairly thorough Q&A session, although I have to say the chap was very amicable, and was there to do a job. He seemed to be more interested in knowing that we were aware of the fuel rules, rather than looking at receipts/tank dipping (he did the former (sort of) but not the latter. We had all the insurance/VHF/SSR etc photocopies on board inc passports which were checked. I really got the feeling that had we not had all the documents then it really wouldnt have been an issue.
Click to expand...

The Duane who checked us stated both the Belgians & Dutch Authorities were well aware of the 60-40 split & it wasnt an issue for UK Reg boats.
a different matter if a Shengen Dweller returned with red- a big fine ranging €700 > 1200
 
sailorman said:
The Duane who checked us stated both the Belgians & Dutch Authorities were well aware of the 60-40 split & it wasnt an issue for UK Reg boats.
a different matter if a Shengen Dweller returned with red- a big fine ranging €700 > 1200
Click to expand...

So what would the procedure be for a visiting boat ? If he didn't carry enough fuel, he'd have to fill up here, with red. A raggie might be able to nip ashore for a couple of cans of white, but not a mobo. I'd suspect if he filled up with red here he'd have to be careful to keep the receipt and make sure he paid full duty.
 
PaulGooch said:
So what would the procedure be for a visiting boat ? If he didn't carry enough fuel, he'd have to fill up here, with red. A raggie might be able to nip ashore for a couple of cans of white, but not a mobo. I'd suspect if he filled up with red here he'd have to be careful to keep the receipt and make sure he paid full duty.
Click to expand...
I overheard Roger's conversation with the Duane and he said that would not be acceptable. White only in Belgian and Dutch registered boats. Where is the nearest service station to Shotley?

As a thought, do super yachts need to abide by the same rules? Getting 100,000 litres of white in the UK would be a challenge, unless you order a tanker full.
 
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Wunja said:
I overheard Roger's conversation with the Duane and he said that would not be acceptable. White only in Belgian and Dutch registered boats. Where is the nearest service station to Shotley?

As a thought, do super yachts need to abide by the same rules? Getting 100,000 litres of white in the UK would be a challenge, unless you order a tanker full.
Click to expand...

Not sure where the nearest white diesel supply is to Shotley. Nowhere between Ipswich and Shotley that i've seen. Wouldn't imagine it would be practical with a mobo, even mine would need a refill if i came to Holland and i wouldn't want to rely on cans.
 
Morgana said:
I did leave my insurance certificate at home!

They weren't at all bothered!

My understanding of the registration issue is that while you are correct in that a UK boat does not need to be registered at all, it must be registered if it wishes to enter the territorial waters of any other nation, hence the creation of the low cost SSR scheme. Just to clarify the point for future readers.
Click to expand...

Good question, my boats Part 1 registration ran out in January, i think it was £70 to renew and i thought why do it? So i didnt, was I wrong? should i consider SSR as we go abroad a couple of times a year?
Answers on a postcard please.
 
davidfox said:
Good question, my boats Part 1 registration ran out in January, i think it was £70 to renew and i thought why do it? So i didnt, was I wrong? should i consider SSR as we go abroad a couple of times a year?
Answers on a postcard please.
Click to expand...

You are required to have a registration David. SSR is £25 for five years, simple to do online.
 
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