Brexit Formalities for Cross Channel Boaters

[[2068]]

I guess I need to buy a "Q" Flag

--------------------------------------------------

UK/EU Entry & Exit Formalities
Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, owners of recreational pleasure craft (non-commercial) who sail their craft to and from the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands) must notify the UK border authorities upon their first arrival into a UK port.
Before leaving the UK (which includes going to the Channel Islands), you must advise the Border Force of your intentions by posting form C1331 (the address it must be posted to can be found on the form).

Both non-UK flagged vessels and UK flagged vessels returning from a trip outside of UK territorial waters (12 miles from shore) must now fly the ‘Q’ flag where it can be readily seen as soon as UK waters are entered. The flag must not be taken down until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.

Arriving in the UK
When arriving direct from outside the UK you must phone the National Yachtline on 0300 123 2012. You will need to inform the Yachtline if any of the following apply:
• UK VAT has not been paid on the vessel
• you have on board goods which are to be treated as surplus stores as per Notice 69A.
• you have any prohibited or restricted goods
• there is any notifiable illness on board
• there are any people on board who need immigration clearance
• any repairs or modifications, other than running repairs, have been carried out since the vessel last left the UK
• you have any goods for personal use on which you need to declare and pay UK tax or duty and cannot do so via the online service.
For further information, please view the Government Notice.

--------------------------------------------------

 

[Poignard]

Going to be a pain when one has nipped over to France for the weekend and returned Sunday evening and are wanting to get home for some sleep before being back at work on Monday morning.

 

[st599]

Going to be a pain when one has nipped over to France for the weekend and returned Sunday evening and are wanting to get home for some sleep before being back at work on Monday morning.

Assuming that the offices you need to visit in the official Port of Entry to check out of the EU are open on Sunday evening.

 

[Poignard]

Assuming that the offices you need to visit in the official Port of Entry to check out of the EU are open on Sunday evening.

Yes indeed.

 

[[178529]]

What bollox

 

[st599]

It's OK, the government are writing an app to do it automatically. You just designate the exact location and time you're re-entering the UK, and hang around there waiting for someone to give you clearance.

 

[Greg2]

We are going back in time - couldn’t make this up!

 

[Lucky Duck]

Yes indeed.

I appreciate this is the Mobo thread so journey times are different but my concern would be when trying to leave at some unsocial time in the morning

 

[st599]

We are going back in time - couldn’t make this up!

There's some useful information on one of the other sections of the forum about the rules for entering the EU. The rules are the same across the EU, but implemented differently at country level.

For France, it's entry and exit via an Official Port of Entry only for customs and immigration. Belgium seems to be an online form for Entry and Exit plus a visit to an Official Port of Entry.

 

[[178529]]

Maybe some of the brexiter supporters on here might want to add this to the benefits thread , under sovereignty moving back to 19th century empire levels.

 

[CLB]

Both non-UK flagged vessels and UK flagged vessels returning from a trip outside of UK territorial waters (12 miles from shore) must now fly the ‘Q’ flag where it can be readily seen as soon as UK waters are entered. The flag must not be taken down until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.

Looks like I will need a Q flag to go from Weymouth to Dartmouth

 

[LittleSister]

I think there should be a new flag for UK voyagers only (perhaps a Q flag defaced with the words 'Rule Brittannia'?) that changes the meaning to 'I request demand free pratique'.

Back to the OP's problem. Doesn't he have a yellow duster (of the dusting variety) aboard that could be pressed into service?

 

[[2068]]

>>Doesn't he have a yellow duster (of the dusting variety)
I do, but it’s more like a feather duster, which I suspect sends an entirely different signal

Just bought my Q flag from Jimmy Green for a tenner to beat the rush.

 

[hullabaloo]

We had these Formalities pre Brexit going to the isle of man and the channel isles,
I didn't fly a Q flag in or out ( for 3yrs) and nobody gave a toss.

The uk boarder force can't cope with a 10 foot dingy loaded with 22 Asylum seekers crossing the channel. i can't imagine they will chase a power boat that has been on a little cruise.

 

[seasick]

There may be exceptions that can be be employed...
Inflatable craft powered by outboard engines(s) of less than 200 hp total, and carrying less than 30 fare paying passengers need not display navigation lights (including an all round white steaming light) or a "Q" flag , and are exempt from Custom and Immigration controls at both port of departure and entry. However such craft must observe the integrity of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) by following the directions of the French Navy Escort Service (FNESS), and on reaching mid-channel point (as designated on official TSS charts), leave the auspices of FNES and contact the Royal Navy Meet and Greet Service (RNMGS). for collection. Contact details for the RNMGS will be provides by FNES,
Boat arrivals in France from any UK port must display a NOJ flag (applyiing to Father or son)
Bored Seasick

 

[BruceK]

I guess I need to buy a "Q" Flag

--------------------------------------------------

UK/EU Entry & Exit Formalities
Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, owners of recreational pleasure craft (non-commercial) who sail their craft to and from the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands) must notify the UK border authorities upon their first arrival into a UK port.
Before leaving the UK (which includes going to the Channel Islands), you must advise the Border Force of your intentions by posting form C1331 (the address it must be posted to can be found on the form).

Both non-UK flagged vessels and UK flagged vessels returning from a trip outside of UK territorial waters (12 miles from shore) must now fly the ‘Q’ flag where it can be readily seen as soon as UK waters are entered. The flag must not be taken down until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.

Arriving in the UK
When arriving direct from outside the UK you must phone the National Yachtline on 0300 123 2012. You will need to inform the Yachtline if any of the following apply:
• UK VAT has not been paid on the vessel
• you have on board goods which are to be treated as surplus stores as per Notice 69A.
• you have any prohibited or restricted goods
• there is any notifiable illness on board
• there are any people on board who need immigration clearance
• any repairs or modifications, other than running repairs, have been carried out since the vessel last left the UK
• you have any goods for personal use on which you need to declare and pay UK tax or duty and cannot do so via the online service.
For further information, please view the Government Notice.

--------------------------------------------------

I'm guessing this will be required for IOM and Ireland too.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Back to the future!

IIRC this form has been around forever and should have been completed when planning on visiting the CIs. There was a box in most ports where it was 'posted'. In Exmouth there was a customs officer who collected them, but about 25 years ago he, or his post, disappeared and the dock master was given the job of emptying the box and keeping the forms for inspection by any visiting customs officer. This never happened. I asked what he did with them, he replied he waited until his drawer was full and then filed/chucked them in the bin.

So now it has to be posted. I expect a large number will be lost in the post.

I guess the Border Force hasn't heard of this new fangled internet thingy.

 

[st599]

If you look elsewhere on the forum, the beta testers of the form-replacing website have been discussing it. The app is meant to cover immigration and customs.

 

[Robin]

Back to the future!

IIRC this form has been around forever and should have been completed when planning on visiting the CIs. There was a box in most ports where it was 'posted'. In Exmouth there was a customs officer who collected them, but about 25 years ago he, or his post, disappeared and the dock master was given the job of emptying the box and keeping the forms for inspection by any visiting customs officer. This never happened. I asked what he did with them, he replied he waited until his drawer was full and then filed/chucked them in the bin.

So now it has to be posted. I expect a large number will be lost in the post.

I guess the Border Force hasn't heard of this new fangled internet thingy.

Indeed this is the self same form that has been around since Noah did booze runs, in latter days it could be printed off online. It was always needed for Channel Islands trips although we 'avoided ' the final reporting in by clearing into the EU (France) by a one nighter stopover in Cherbourg, perfectly legal and the French were totally disinterested in a British boat arriving from Guernsey

On arrival UK one person was allowed ashore to phone report arrival after which you waited 2 hrs before going home and mailing in the arrival report part of C1331, when mobilephones arrived it was even easier. Only once had a customs officer try to visit but he changed his mind on finding we were on a very muddy drying mooring and it was now low water ?

My bet is it will all settle down once the new kids on the block get broken in, irritating yes, life threatening not so much.

 

[st599]

On arrival UK one person was allowed ashore to phone report arrival after which you waited 2 hrs before going home and mailing in the arrival report part of C1331, when mobilephones arrived it was even easier.

The beta testers for the UK's app say you need to give Lat Long and Time of arrival at the border so you can sit there for 2 hours waiting to be cleared. RYA suggested the Government wanted to link it to RADAR and AIS to check everyone used it.