Entry for customs in Boulogne. Is there change from 1 April?

[Concerto]

This question has been posted on the Westerly forum. Does anyone know the answer.

Has anyone heard anything about signing in to France in Boulogne? I've been told that from 1st April you can sign in at Boulogne, not having to go to Calais. Has anyone else seen this?

 

[Billy Blue]

Cruising Association welcomes easier check in/out for cruising to France | CA

 

[bluerm166]

The scheme referred to in that CA article has not hitherto been promulgated in the northern ports of Dunkerque,Gravelines or Boulogne.No doubt because these are PAF ports in the main region of small boat crossings so they have other things to do.
Any change would certainly be welcome news although I haven't expected this in these ports until the new EU Schengen system is running.

 

[Pye_End]

Nothing about it on the Boulogne website. What was the source of the information? It would be most welcome of the northern ports subscribed to the scheme - it would also be most welcome if the information from the official sources was correct for a change!

 

[st599]

Nothing about it on the Boulogne website. What was the source of the information? It would be most welcome of the northern ports subscribed to the scheme - it would also be most welcome if the information from the official sources was correct for a change!

The french list is correct, those ports are now allowed to run the scheme, the issue is many don't.

Will be interesting to see what happens when EES starts later this year.

 

[Daydream believer]

Extract from CA website - full details are too long for this forum post
Boulogne
Boulogne may be designated as a port of entry (PAF PPF) but there are no facilities to enable this. It has recently confirmed (22nd August 2024) that despite having the entry form on their web site and asking for this to be emailed in advance it is still mandatory to then travel on to Calais for passports to be checked and stamped.

I cannot help wondering what would happen if instead of travelling to Calais, one sailed to Dieppe to have passport stamped after arriving at Boulogne. This being on basis of convenience, as the ferry terminal at Dieppe is a short bike ride, or taxi ( Cost me 15 euros inc tip & a long wait at the terminal return to my berth)

 

[Pye_End]

The french list is correct, those ports are now allowed to run the scheme, the issue is many don't.

Will be interesting to see what happens when EES starts later this year.

The French site (https://www.douane.gouv.fr/particul...venance-ou-destination-dun-pays-non-membre-de) says:

'However, a mechanism has been put in place between customs, border police and the French federation of marinas, making it possible to enter France by certain marinas which are not border crossing points, under the following conditions:

1. The non-PF marina is listed on the list of 53 ports benefiting from the scheme below.
2. The ship's head shall contact the port office concerned and request permission to enter the port.
3. The head of the shipmail addresses the border control declaration form at the port office: entry/exit form:
   Declaratory form [PDF format
   Declarative form [ODT Format)
   which shall include the list of persons on board and certain technical characteristics of the vessel, at the latest 24 hours before the arrival of the vessel or, when the crossing lasts less than 24 hours at the latest at the moment when the vessel leaves the port of the country outside the Schengen area.
4. The form must also be sent to the port office when the vessel leaves the port to a country outside the Schengen area.'

This information is not correct. It is NOT POSSIBLE to enter various ports even having satisfied the various conditions. Even if you were to argue the semantics, it does not convey the current situation. The CA and the RYA websites do similar, although it is interesting (from DB's post) that the CA info to members says something different from the info available to all (link in #2).

 

[Debennut]

These people start operating from 5th April. (at £85 a time).They must have ensured there would be an appropriate control in Boulogne.
saillink.co.uk

 

[wonkywinch]

The CA held a webinar last Tuesday 4th which I did participate in. Bologne was mentioned as a special case and my memory thinks it was still work in progress ahead of the season. Since I don't intend to go east of Cherbourg, I went to top up my wine coffee whilst the host was discussing that bit

I just had a look on the CA website for a transcript or copy but couldn't see one.

UK & France Entry & Exit Processes in the Channel | CA

 

[wonkywinch]

The CA have updated their website following the seminar. Not sure if non members can view this page - https://www.theca.org.uk/france-channel-ports-of-entry

 

[st599]

These people start operating from 5th April. (at £85 a time).They must have ensured there would be an appropriate control in Boulogne.
saillink.co.uk

Their T&C's say they inform the French of the arrival time and then you have to hang around waiting for an officer to come to the boat.

 

[Pye_End]

The CA have updated their website following the seminar. Not sure if non members can view this page - https://www.theca.org.uk/france-channel-ports-of-entry

Just takes me to the login screen. Does it say anything new about Dunkerque?

 

[wonkywinch]

Just takes me to the login screen. Does it say anything new about Dunkerque?

I don't know what it said about Dunkerque before but latest statement, it's a PAF but the office is 10 miles away from marina so bus/taxi needed.

Boulonge is a designated PAF/PPF but there are currently no facilities so trip to Calais needed.

The Cruising Association has been excellent value to me in the first year of membership with some seriously valuable discounts (more than 5 pages of affiliates in the latest rag). If anyone is thinking of joining then happy to facilitate a discount off first year fees. PM me for details.

 

[LittleSister]

These people start operating from 5th April. (at £85 a time).They must have ensured there would be an appropriate control in Boulogne.
saillink.co.uk

Their T&C's say they inform the French of the arrival time and then you have to hang around waiting for an officer to come to the boat.

But the reality, it seems, is that there aren't any officers based anywhere near Boulogne (following the demise of its ferry service years ago), so officers won't ever arrive, unless Sailink have a special (paid for?) arrangement with the authorities.

Saillink's website does say 'Feasibility sailing completed. Study of routes, port access & berthing plus meeting with Border Force, Harbour Manager & local interes groups completed.', but overall looks somewhat amateurish.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on that website as an indication that things have changed and check-in facilities for individual leisure boat sailors are available at Boulogne unless and until the Marina there confirms it.