Cross Channel documents...

I have consistently been informed by customs that the only things they are interested in are the registration document and passports.
 
Twice in France have I been boarded. Once at sea at the top end of the Chanel du Four, and once in port at La Trinite. The first time we were fined about 240 euros for not having any current proof of ownership aboard, but they still let us carry on. The second time we were rummaged, I suspect on account of the crew at the time consisting of students and having an inconceivable number of empty bottles stacked on the aft deck the morning after our arrival. They left happy and empty handed.
 
Sybarite has it right but remember registration documents like passports must be originals not photocopies.

As others have said your likelyhood of being boarded is remote but I have personally met 2 (although I have only ever been boarded once and then by UK Border agency 10mls S of I of W) in some 15yrs of X channel sailing.

Person last year was fined once for not having original registration document and secondly not declaring two bicycles bought in Guernsey (tax free) for VAT payment at first port of EU entry which happerned to be France!

As its not a UK requirement to have a UK owned boat registered some smart alecs may advise not carrying any registration documents 'cause your British. Either ignore them or get the money from them in advance to pay for the chance of a fine.

Whatever the legal situation is the French customs (if you are stopped) will fine you if no original docs.
 
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Sailfree said:
Person last year was fined once for not having original registration document and secondly not declaring two bicycles bought in Guernsey (tax free) for VAT payment at first port of EU entry which happerned to be France!
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To clarify, he was stopped by British customs, who fined him for not having paid duty in France?

(Not disputing it for a moment, it's how the system is supposed to work, just that your post was a little ambiguous.)

Pete
 
prv said:
To clarify, he was stopped by British customs, who fined him for not having paid duty in France?

(Not disputing it for a moment, it's how the system is supposed to work, just that your post was a little ambiguous.)

Pete
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Sorry if not clear it was a British Boat from Port Solent that was stopped in N Brittany. He had arrived via Guernsey where he had bought 2 bicycles. He had left original of ships registration document at home but had the original bill of sale to him showing VAT paid. IIRC I moored my tatty boat next to his immaculate some 50' newish motorboat in Pampoil and was chatting one morning and he told me that he had been stopped by French Customs who inspected papers. Fined for no original reg doc. In looking at boat they saw two bicycles still obviously new in boxes and he admitted that he had just bought them and would be taking them back to the UK. He was a nice chap and he said French customs were very nice and friendly but they issued him with two fines - IIRC about €500 in total. No questions about legality of his boat or VAt status just - to them - an infringement of French rules and a fine to pay!

There was a long thread on here about what laws were broken ref the right of the French to demand to see an original boat registration document when the country of origin does not require boat to be registered! As this had been a hot topic for some time on here I asked him for a photo of the French fine sheet (which specified the code transgressed). He immediately photographed it and e mailed me the pdf file but requested I redacted his personal details. I showed an A4 print of it to other formites at a scuttlebutt meet. One person (troll) accussed me of lying about it - I had also previously stated that I had met a skipper at Carteret who was given a lift to the cash point by French customs to pay a fine. Unfortunately I did not gather proof or remember all the exact details (code broken and fine) for the troll on here.

Hope this clarifies what can happen if you are stopped and checked in France. I repeat though that few are stopped and we have found the French very welcoming and encourage tourists. Another point is that if you are stopped asked French Customs for (sorry forget name) but its a form stating that you have been stopped and all OK then you can show this if unfortunate to be stopped again on same trip.

UK border agency stop just wanted ships details/passports and searched the boat. No problem even with the 60 or more bottles of wine we were bringing back. They inspected log book which I offered but did not demand it. Perfectly polite but jobsworths IMHO. I would not have minded if I was stopped and searched after receiving some intelligence but I doubt whether any routine stops on UK boats have found much amiss - just justifying their jobs and fast bosts! Envy!!
 
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Sailfree said:
Hope this clarifies what can happen if you are stopped and checked in France. I repeat though that few are stopped and we have found the French very welcoming and encourage tourists. Another point is that if you are stopped asked French Customs for (sorry forget name) but its a form stating that you have been stopped and all OK then you can show this if unfortunate to be stopped again on same trip.

!!
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Récépissé ??
 
Without wanting to drift the thread, but reasonably on topic, with regard to red diesel I'd be grateful if anyone can offer advice on the following. Our boat came with a full tank of red, put there by the previous owners, hence I have no receipt. The tank is still 3/4 full, so I can only put in about 40 litres and obtain a corresponding receipt. We're off to South Brittany in a few weeks and I'm slightly concerned that I'll have 160 litres of red diesel on board and a receipt covering only 40 litres of it. Should I be concerned, and if so, does anyone have any suggestions for a solution? Thanks in advance.
 
prv said:
The accepted word, at least among British yachtsmen, seems to be "fiche". I realise it's a bit vague, but hopefully in context a Douanier will know what you're on about.

Pete
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A fiche means just about any type of paper. A récépissé is an official acknowledgement of something. eg if you lose your driving licence, you declare it to the police and they issue you with a récépissé which allows you the time to renew your licence.
 
Simondjuk said:
Without wanting to drift the thread, but reasonably on topic, with regard to red diesel I'd be grateful if anyone can offer advice on the following. Our boat came with a full tank of red, put there by the previous owners, hence I have no receipt. The tank is still 3/4 full, so I can only put in about 40 litres and obtain a corresponding receipt. We're off to South Brittany in a few weeks and I'm slightly concerned that I'll have 160 litres of red diesel on board and a receipt covering only 40 litres of it. Should I be concerned, and if so, does anyone have any suggestions for a solution? Thanks in advance.
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In organising the Scuttlebutt Cherbourg Rally I regularly correspond with Magali Hamon who has been very helpful and works at developing the number of visitors. Magali wrote to many south coast YC about this time last year promising a warm welcome and that there would be no problem with red diesel. I am sure Magali would not have written that without checking with the local Douane but this attitude may only extend to the local area to Cherbourg. I believe they don't like red diesel in cans (to easy to sell on) but otherwise I don't think you will get any problem. I have a charter boat that I will take full of red diesel and I just return it tanks full so I will arrive with up to 240 litres and no receipts!!

Above is my unofficial opinion perhaps someone can give an official response.
 
Got boarded in Calais in 2010, registration, passports and insurance was all the were interested in, and a quick search f the boat. All very nice and polite.
 
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